How Many Data Centers Are in the US? Latest Statistics and Trends

Data centers keep the digital world running. They store, process, and manage the information used by businesses, streaming services, online shopping, and more. There are over 5,400 data centers in the United States, the most of any country in the world. This puts the US at the center of global technology and cloud computing, supporting everything from emails to video calls.

Each data center can be different in size and function. Some are built for giant tech companies, while others serve smaller businesses or offer space to many clients. As technology changes, more data centers are built each year to keep up with new demands. Trends like artificial intelligence and faster internet are also driving growth in the industry.

Key Takeaways

• The US leads the world with over 5,400 data centers.
• Different types of data centers serve various companies and industries.
• Growth in data demand drives new centers and advanced technologies.

Overview of Data Centers in the US

The United States has the most data centers in the world, supporting many digital services, businesses, and new technologies. Data center locations are chosen for network access, power supply, and disaster resilience.

Total Number of Data Centers

As of early 2025, the United States has around 5,426 active facilities. This number keeps growing as the demand for data storage, cloud computing, and online services rises.

A few large companies manage hundreds of facilities nationwide. These include Equinix, Digital Realty, and CyrusOne, which help form the country’s digital backbone.

Key Operators in the US:

The size and capacity of these data centers vary, from small regional sites to massive campuses.

Geographic Distribution

Data centers are spread across all 50 states, but states with larger populations and business markets have more facilities. California, Texas, Virginia, and Illinois are major data center hubs due to strong infrastructure and high demand.

Coastal regions like Northern Virginia and Silicon Valley offer excellent connectivity to global internet backbones. These locations also have reliable electricity and network vendors.

Some central states, including Illinois, benefit from their location and lower property costs, helping reduce latency nationwide. Over 5,388 data centers have been reported, with the largest groups near major infrastructure and business centers.

Major Metropolitan Hubs

Certain metropolitan areas stand out as primary data center locations. Northern Virginia has the highest concentration of data centers in the world, centered around Ashburn, known as “Data Center Alley.”

The Chicago area is another major hub, favored for its central location and access to multiple fiber routes. Chicago’s strong power grid, skilled workforce, and network infrastructure attract large-scale investment.

Other notable hubs include Dallas, Greater New York, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles. These cities offer reliable power, extensive network connections, and proximity to business customers. Operators often choose these areas for new data center construction to support growing cloud computing and digital services.

Key Data Center Operators

Large data center operators support the cloud, internet, and data needs of businesses and individuals across the United States. These companies maintain advanced facilities and connections to major network hubs.

Amazon Web Services and Hyperscale Growth

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the largest data center operators in the US. AWS runs dozens of hyperscale data centers that support millions of websites, apps, and digital services.

AWS data centers focus on scalability and redundancy. Facilities are often near high-population areas and major network exchanges. Markets like Northern Virginia, Ohio, and Oregon are home to some of the biggest AWS data centers.

AWS continues to expand, opening new locations to meet growing demand for cloud computing and storage. The company’s focus on efficiency helps keep costs down and improves reliability. AWS infrastructure gives customers secure, on-demand access to computing resources across the country.

Google Cloud Facilities

Google is known for its large global infrastructure. Its U.S. data centers stand out for size and technology. Google’s cloud facilities are built for high performance, low latency, and sustainability.

Many Google Cloud data centers use custom hardware and advanced networking. This supports Google’s public cloud and services like Search, YouTube, and Gmail. Facilities are located in Iowa, Georgia, Oklahoma, and South Carolina for strategic access to power and fiber.

Google invests in renewable energy, aiming to run all data centers on carbon-free power. Security is a top priority, with layered protocols to keep data safe. Google’s presence in the U.S. drives innovations in cloud storage, artificial intelligence, and analytics.

Role of Digital Realty

Digital Realty builds and operates data center campuses for large enterprises and cloud providers. It owns and operates more than 290 data centers worldwide, including many in key U.S. cities.

Digital Realty facilities are found in Dallas, New York, Northern Virginia, and Silicon Valley. They offer colocation, direct cloud connectivity, and managed services. This lets companies expand quickly and safely.

The company focuses on reliability and meeting strict compliance requirements. Digital Realty’s carrier-neutral hubs allow multiple telecom providers to connect, making its buildings central to internet traffic and business operations.

Other Leading Technology Companies

Other major companies run important data centers in the US. Microsoft Azure operates data centers in Texas, Iowa, and Washington state, offering cloud services and enterprise solutions.

Equinix is another leader, providing interconnection and colocation across many cities. Its U.S. data centers host networks, clouds, and enterprises for fast data exchanges. Apple maintains its own facilities to support services like iCloud and Apple Music, focusing on security and green energy.

These operators power the public cloud and support private enterprise applications and connectivity across the nation.

Types of Data Centers in the United States

Data centers in the US support different needs for businesses, government, and technology companies. Their design and location depend on the services they provide, the data they handle, and their users.

Enterprise and Corporate Data Centers

Enterprise and corporate data centers are owned and operated by large organizations to run private applications and store sensitive data.

These facilities give companies control over security, compliance, and hardware. Enterprises build their own infrastructure to support internal users and business operations.

These data centers are often at a company’s main office or a separate campus for privacy and disaster recovery. Most enterprise solutions have a high investment cost, but companies can tailor equipment and policies to fit their needs. Businesses in banking, healthcare, and government often use this model to meet strict regulatory requirements.

Cloud and Colocation Providers

Cloud and colocation facilities have grown quickly as businesses look to reduce costs and increase flexibility.

Cloud data centers are owned by third-party providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. Companies rent virtual resources and pay for what they use, allowing them to scale services up or down as needed. Many U.S. companies use cloud services for storage, app hosting, and backup.

Colocation data centers provide secure space, power, and cooling for clients’ own hardware. Businesses that need more control than the cloud offers—but want to avoid owning a full facility—can lease racks or cabinets. There are more than 5,400 data centers in the U.S., with colocation and cloud facilities making up a large share.

Edge Data Centers and Edge Computing

Edge data centers handle data processing closer to where data is created, such as near users or devices.

Edge facilities reduce delay by processing information locally before sending only essential data to larger data centers. This supports real-time applications like video streaming, online gaming, smart vehicles, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Edge computing is important for businesses that need to act on data quickly, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and telecom. These edge sites are usually smaller than traditional data centers and are spread out across a region to improve speed and reliability.

Modular Data Centers and Scalable Solutions

Modular data centers use prefabricated units, like shipping containers, that can be quickly deployed and expanded.

They are flexible, cost effective, and easy to move or reconfigure. Companies may use modular solutions for remote sites, emergencies, or to add capacity during busy periods.

These modular facilities can connect to cloud or traditional data centers to create scalable solutions. This lets businesses quickly build infrastructure for changing needs, including disaster recovery and short-term projects. Industries needing fast deployment or limited space benefit most from modular design.

Trends Driving US Data Center Growth

Technology advances and changing business needs are increasing the demand for data centers in the United States. Several developments are fueling this expansion, including new uses for artificial intelligence and higher rates of investment and construction.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Demand

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a main driver of new data center growth in the US. AI needs huge amounts of computing power and electricity, which only large-scale, modern facilities can provide.

Data centers are adding more servers, storage, and networking tools designed for fast AI workloads. Companies developing and using AI tools—like machine learning and natural language processing—are creating ongoing demand for better infrastructure. This builds pressure to open new data centers in top regions such as Northern Virginia, Phoenix, and Dallas-Fort Worth, each with significant power capacity.

Estimates show power demand from US data centers will keep rising at around 12% per year through 2030 as AI use grows. Investment in AI-specific infrastructure is also speeding up, with cloud companies and social networks leading the way.

E-commerce Expansion

The rise of e-commerce is a major driver for US data center development. Online retailers need fast, reliable data processing and inventory management. These services depend on powerful data storage, quick loading times, and real-time updates for millions of users.

E-commerce companies use advanced tools for online payments, fraud detection, and targeted recommendations. All these technologies need quick, secure access to large amounts of customer and product data.

Growth in online shopping is closely tied to the rise in leased data centers across the US. Over five years, the number of leased centers has grown sharply, with thousands added in just one year. As e-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart expand their online presence, they rely on new or upgraded data center infrastructure to support sales and logistics.

Increased Construction and Investment

Construction of new data centers in the US is at record levels. Developers and investors are building larger facilities to support higher energy and technology needs.

In 2024, the US added about 5,000 new leased data centers, and total supply in key markets grew by over 30%. Northern Virginia leads with over 11,000 megawatts of power supply. Other fast-growing hubs include Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Las Vegas/Reno, each adding significant capacity.

Investors view data centers as valuable assets because of strong demand from tech, finance, and healthcare industries. New construction often features energy-efficient systems and modern designs, helping operators meet both customer expectations and power requirements. The mix of investment, skilled builders, and digital transformation is speeding up US data center growth. For regional growth figures and trends, see the CBRE report on North America Data Center Trends H2 2024 and Upwind’s summary of U.S. Data Center Powerhouses.

Power and Energy Efficiency in Data Centers

Data centers use a significant share of U.S. electricity. As demand for cloud services, data storage, and artificial intelligence rises, their power needs and efficiency efforts are becoming more important.

Power Consumption Challenges

Data centers are among the most energy-intensive buildings. They use 10 to 50 times more power per square foot than a typical office. In 2023, data centers used about 4.4% of all electricity in the United States. This share may grow to 12% by 2028.

The growth in digital demand is outpacing many energy efficiency improvements. Artificial intelligence and cloud computing increase the energy needed each year. Federal regulators say the total power load for U.S. data centers could nearly double by 2030.

Operators are under pressure to keep up with demand while reducing electricity use. They invest in new technology and best practices, but many older facilities are less efficient and harder to update.

Renewable Energy Initiatives

Many data center companies are increasing their use of renewable power. Some large operators have signed long-term agreements to buy electricity from solar and wind farms.

Major tech companies set goals to match their energy use with renewable sources. These efforts help lower carbon output and attract customers who want greener solutions. Local utility companies are also offering more renewable energy programs for data centers.

Some data centers add on-site solar panels or use bioenergy. However, switching completely to renewables is challenging for facilities that need power around the clock. Battery and energy storage systems are being added to help manage the supply.

Advances in Cooling Systems

Cooling uses a large amount of data center energy. Traditionally, cooling systems required a lot of electricity, especially in warm areas. Newer systems focus on improving airflow and using more efficient equipment to cut wasted energy.

Some facilities use liquid cooling instead of air, which removes heat more directly from servers and uses less power, especially in high-density computing environments. Others use free cooling—using outside air—when conditions allow.

Operators are also using advanced monitoring and artificial intelligence to control cooling more precisely. Improvements in cooling technology help lower costs and reduce the environmental impact of data centers.

Future Outlook for US Data Centers

The US data center industry is growing quickly and adapting to new technologies and market needs. Its future depends on managing energy use, improving infrastructure efficiency, and developing skilled workers.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

US data centers use more than 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Their carbon footprint is a key concern. Many companies are moving to renewable energy, like solar and wind, to reduce environmental impact.

Water usage for cooling is another focus. New cooling technologies aim to use less water and energy. Facilities are adopting smarter systems for temperature and airflow control.

Governments and customers are pushing for stricter carbon emission rules and greener practices. The industry is also exploring battery storage and on-site power generation as backup sources. For more statistics, visit Brightlio’s data center statistics.

Innovation in Data Center Design

Design strategies are changing to support growing computing needs. Power capacity in hubs such as Las Vegas and Reno could soon support millions of households each month. Modern centers use modular designs so they can expand or adapt faster.

Key innovations include:

• Liquid cooling systems to help servers run cooler
• AI-driven monitoring tools for efficiency
• Prefabricated, scalable data center units

Security is also improving, with biometric access and real-time monitoring now common. These advancements improve safety and reduce risks like data breaches. More on regional innovation is available in Upwind’s data center powerhouses report.

Opportunities for Learning and Growth

The need for skilled staff is rising. Jobs in IT, facility management, engineering, and cybersecurity are in higher demand. Many companies offer training programs, internships, and partnerships with colleges to address the talent gap.

Workers can cross-train in areas like cloud technologies, automation, and green energy. Trade groups and online platforms offer interactive courses and certificates for all experience levels.

Developing a workforce with hands-on skills is important for keeping up with industry changes. For more on career trends, see the Newmark US data center market outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

The United States has more data centers than any other country. Large cities and states often have more data centers because of better connectivity, power availability, and business demand.

What is the total count of data centers located in the United States as of now?

As of March 2025, the United States has about 5,426 data centers, making it the country with the most data centers worldwide.

Which state in the US is home to the largest number of data centers?

Virginia has the largest number of data centers in the US. The city of Ashburn is called “Data Center Alley” because of its high concentration of facilities.

Can you provide a current list of major data center locations across the US?

Major data center markets in the US include Northern Virginia, Silicon Valley, Dallas, Chicago, and Phoenix. Other important hubs are Los Angeles, Seattle, and Atlanta.

What has been the growth trend in the number of US data centers over recent years?

The number of data centers in the US has grown steadily over the last decade. New centers open each year to meet rising demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and digital storage.

How does the density of data centers in the US compare to global data center distribution?

The US leads the world in the total number of data centers. While Asia-Pacific and Europe have many centers, the US stands out for its large count and concentration in specific regions. More information on data center distribution is available in this global comparison.

What factors contribute to the concentration of data centers in specific regions of the US?

Key factors include access to reliable and affordable power, a strong telecommunications network, business-friendly policies, and proximity to major internet exchange points. Climate and access to skilled labor also influence the location of new data centers.

Last Updated on May 31, 2025 by Josh Mahan