The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a fresh analysis this week that finds only a modest connection between the spread of data centers and local housing markets. While data centers are heavily concentrated in a handful of tech hubs—including Northern Virginia’s Loudoun and Prince William counties, Silicon Valley, central Ohio, the Phoenix area, and central Washington—the report shows that most American counties see little to no effect on home values or employment.
Where data centers are located
According to principal economist Nadia Evangelou, just 251 of the nation’s 3,220 counties host any data center facilities, meaning roughly 92% of jurisdictions lack mapped data center infrastructure. The top ten counties account for 42% of all facilities, and 47 of the 50 states have at least one data center within their borders.
Virginia remains a major hub, with Loudoun and Prince William counties comprising 19% of the nation’s data centers. Ohio now leads in total campus square footage at 63.9 million square feet, edging out Virginia’s 57 million and Iowa’s 44.1 million.
Housing market impact
Evangelou emphasized that the study found no evidence that counties with a large data‑center presence experience weaker housing markets. “That doesn’t mean data centers cause stronger outcomes,” she said. “These markets are very different, and many other factors affect housing values and determine where data centers are located.”
The report notes that counties with higher data‑center concentration tend to have higher median incomes, greater educational attainment, and younger populations—factors that naturally drive demand for housing. In other words, the correlation appears to stem from demographic strengths rather than the data‑center footprint itself.
Employment and utility costs
Employment links are described as modest. While data‑center projects can create construction and technical jobs, the overall impact on county‑wide employment numbers is limited. Likewise, the study does not find a consistent pattern linking data‑center density to utility cost changes for residents.
Future research
Evangelou indicated that NAR plans to explore the nuances of residential development near schools and community facilities—particularly in western Prince William County—by incorporating U.S. Department of Energy data and more granular tracking in a forthcoming study.
Chief economist Lawrence Yun added, “There is no single data‑center effect. The story varies significantly depending on the local market. The number of data centers alone does not tell us what will happen to home values, jobs, or utility costs.”
What this means for local communities
For homeowners and local officials in Virginia and other data‑center hotspots, the findings suggest that concerns about a looming housing‑price crash tied to tech infrastructure may be overstated. Instead, the focus should remain on broader economic health, education, and family stability—core pillars that drive strong, resilient neighborhoods.
As the nation continues to expand its digital backbone, the NAR report reminds policymakers and residents alike that data‑center growth is a localized issue, and its broader economic ripple effects are limited.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
