Virginia Joins Wyoming, Iowa and Oregon Among US States Leading the Data Centre Infrastructure Boom

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Virginia leads US data centre rankings as Wyoming and Iowa emerge as unexpected infrastructure leaders, revealing major differences in America’s digital economy. New research shows how population-adjusted facility counts are reshaping national comparisons, while expanding developments raise important questions about electricity demand, rural investment, infrastructure planning and regional economic growth.

Virginia Leads US Data Centre Rankings as Wyoming and Iowa Emerge as Unexpected Infrastructure Leaders

The United States is witnessing a significant transformation in its digital infrastructure landscape as demand for data centres continues to expand beyond established technology markets. Virginia remains the country’s largest data centre market by listed facilities, but Wyoming, Iowa and Oregon are emerging as important locations when the number of facilities is measured against population.

Research conducted by Jones & Swanson, using data from Data Center Map, identifies Virginia as the national leader with 674 listed facilities. Texas follows with 537, while California occupies third place with 296.

However, population-adjusted rankings reveal a different geographical picture. Wyoming, with only 31 listed facilities, ranks second nationally in data centre density, ahead of considerably larger markets including Texas and California.

The findings highlight the growing importance of smaller states in America’s digital infrastructure expansion, with implications for energy networks, regional development, business investment and the wider travel and hospitality industry.

Virginia Maintains Its Position as America’s Largest Data Centre Market

Virginia continues to dominate the national data centre landscape, supported by its established technology ecosystem and substantial concentration of digital infrastructure.

According to the research, the state has 674 listed data centres, exceeding Texas by 137 facilities. This represents approximately 25.5% more listings than the second-largest state market.

Virginia also leads the country in population-adjusted concentration, with 7.59 listed facilities per 100,000 residents.

Northern Virginia remains particularly important because of its existing telecommunications infrastructure, access to major business markets and concentration of established data centre operations.

Separate research from commercial property consultancy CBRE provides additional context.

During the first half of 2026, Northern Virginia recorded 4,496.5 megawatts of operating data centre capacity, compared with 1,803.2 megawatts in Atlanta.

Although Atlanta surpassed Northern Virginia in capacity under construction, Northern Virginia retained a substantially larger operating base.

These figures underline Virginia’s continuing importance in supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence and enterprise technology services.

Wyoming Emerges as a Surprise Leader in Data Centre Density

Wyoming presents one of the most striking findings in the national comparison.

Despite recording just 31 listed facilities, the state ranks second nationally when data centre numbers are adjusted for population.

Its density of 5.27 facilities per 100,000 residents is more than three times Texas’s corresponding rate of 1.69.

The difference illustrates why population-adjusted measurements can provide a useful additional perspective on digital infrastructure distribution.

A smaller state may have relatively few facilities but still record a high concentration compared with its resident population.

However, this does not necessarily mean that Wyoming consumes more data centre electricity per resident than Texas or has greater operating capacity.

Facility size, power requirements and development status vary considerably between individual projects.

Nevertheless, Wyoming’s position demonstrates that America’s digital infrastructure footprint extends beyond its largest metropolitan technology centres.

Iowa Strengthens Its Position Among America’s Leading Data Centre States

Iowa ranks third nationally in data centre density, with 116 listed facilities and a population-adjusted rate of 3.58 per 100,000 residents.

The state ranks ahead of Oregon despite having 19 fewer listed facilities.

Oregon records 135 facilities and a density of 3.16 per 100,000 residents, placing it fourth nationally.

North Dakota completes the five leading states, recording 23 facilities and a population-adjusted density of 2.88.

These findings demonstrate how population size influences national rankings and why smaller states deserve closer examination when assessing infrastructure concentration.

America’s five leading states by data centre density

Source: Jones & Swanson analysis of Data Center Map listings retrieved on 22 September 2026.

Texas, California and Georgia Reveal Contrasting Infrastructure Trends

Texas remains America’s second-largest data centre market by listed facilities, with 537 locations. However, the state ranks 15th nationally when adjusted for population.

California presents an even greater contrast.

Although it ranks third by total facilities, with 296 listings, it falls to 40th in population-adjusted density.

Georgia, meanwhile, records 276 listed facilities and ranks seventh in density, with 2.44 facilities per 100,000 residents.

Illinois completes the five largest markets by facility count, recording 242 listings and ranking 11th in population-adjusted concentration.

These comparisons show that the largest markets do not necessarily have the highest concentrations relative to their populations.

New York and Oregon provide another example. Both states have 135 listed facilities, but Oregon ranks fourth nationally in density while New York ranks 43rd.

Rural America Becomes an Important Part of Future Data Centre Development

One of the most significant developments concerns the geographical expansion of planned data centres.

Research published by Pew Research Center in April 2026 found that 67% of planned American data centres were located in rural areas.

The same analysis reported that 39% of planned facilities were situated in counties without an existing data centre.

These findings suggest that future infrastructure development could increasingly involve communities with limited previous experience of large-scale digital facilities.

Such projects may require additional electricity infrastructure, land-use planning, water-resource assessments and coordination between developers and local authorities.

For rural communities, the implications extend beyond the technology sector.

Construction programmes may generate demand for temporary accommodation, transport services, restaurants and other local businesses.

However, the scale and duration of these benefits depend on project size, construction schedules, workforce arrangements and local purchasing.

Rising Electricity Demand Creates New Infrastructure Challenges

Electricity availability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for data centre development.

CBRE reported that operating inventory across eight primary US data centre markets reached 10,903 megawatts during the first half of 2026, representing annual growth of 33.7%.

Vacancy declined to 1.4%, indicating limited availability of existing capacity.

The US Energy Information Administration also reported on 15 October 2026 that PJM, ERCOT and Southwest Power Pool had recorded new summer peak electricity demand levels.

Summer heat was a major contributor to those records, meaning they should not be attributed solely to data centres.

Nevertheless, growing digital infrastructure requirements make electricity generation, transmission capacity and grid planning increasingly relevant to future development decisions.

A single large data centre can require substantially more electricity than several smaller facilities combined.

Consequently, facility counts alone cannot establish the environmental or energy implications of individual state markets.

What Data Centre Expansion Means for Business Travel and Hospitality

Although the research primarily examines digital infrastructure, the geographical expansion of data centres also has potential implications for business travel and regional hospitality markets.

Large development projects can involve engineers, construction contractors, technology specialists, consultants and equipment suppliers travelling to locations outside established business centres.

During construction, these activities may create additional demand for hotels, serviced accommodation, vehicle hire and local transport.

Conference facilities and meeting venues may also benefit where infrastructure projects attract investors, technology companies and professional service providers.

For tourism-dependent communities, however, these opportunities should be assessed carefully rather than assumed.

The Jones & Swanson research does not measure hotel occupancy, visitor spending, business travel volumes or tourism employment associated with data centre developments.

Any direct tourism impact would require separate local evidence.

Understanding the Research Methodology

Jones & Swanson examined the US directory maintained by Data Center Map, using listings retrieved on 22 September 2026.

States were ranked according to total listed facilities and the number of listings per 100,000 residents.

Importantly, the directory includes operating, under-construction, planned and land-banked locations.

Therefore, the rankings should not be interpreted as a count of fully operational facilities.

The research is based on directory records rather than a statistical survey, and no confidence interval applies.

Population-adjusted density is useful for comparing geographical concentration, but it does not measure installed computing capacity, electricity consumption, building size or environmental impact.

These limitations are particularly important when comparing smaller states with established metropolitan data centre markets.

America’s Digital Infrastructure Expansion Enters a New Phase

The findings reveal two overlapping developments in the United States.

Virginia, Texas and California continue to dominate national rankings by listed facilities, while Wyoming, Iowa and North Dakota achieve stronger positions when population is considered.

At the same time, planned developments are reaching rural communities and counties without existing facilities.

This expansion creates opportunities for regional investment but also increases the importance of responsible infrastructure planning.

For policymakers, businesses and local communities, the central challenge will be balancing digital growth with electricity availability, environmental considerations and sustainable regional development.

Virginia’s leadership in US data centre rankings highlights America’s expanding digital infrastructure, while Wyoming and Iowa demonstrate the growing importance of smaller states. As developments spread into rural communities, electricity capacity, investment planning and local economic opportunities will shape how successfully the country manages its next phase of technological growth. Virginia leads the nation with 674 listed data centers, but Wyoming ranks second when facilities are adjusted for population. Research by Jones & Swanson reveals a surprising divide between America’s largest data center markets and the states with the highest concentration relative to residents.

“America’s expanding data centre landscape demonstrates how digital innovation can create opportunities beyond traditional technology hubs. Virginia’s leadership, alongside the emergence of Wyoming and Iowa, highlights the growing importance of regional infrastructure investment. These developments could support business travel, hospitality demand and local economic activity as construction and technology services expand. With responsible planning, stronger energy networks and community engagement, digital infrastructure investment can contribute positively to America’s long-term economic development and regional competitiveness.”

— Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which US state has the highest number of listed data centres in 2026?

Virginia ranks first with 674 listed data centres, according to the Jones & Swanson analysis of Data Center Map records retrieved in September 2026. Texas follows with 537 facilities, while California ranks third with 296.

2. Why does Wyoming rank second in data centre density?

Wyoming has 31 listed data centres, equivalent to 5.27 facilities per 100,000 residents. Its relatively small population produces a higher population-adjusted concentration than states with significantly more facilities, including Texas and California.

3. Which five US states have the highest data centre density?

Virginia ranks first with 7.59 facilities per 100,000 residents, followed by Wyoming at 5.27, Iowa at 3.58, Oregon at 3.16 and North Dakota at 2.88.

4. Why are more data centres being planned in rural America?

Rural locations are becoming increasingly prominent in development plans. Pew Research Center found that 67% of planned US data centres were located in rural areas, while 39% were in counties without an existing facility. Land availability and access to electricity infrastructure can influence project location decisions.

5. How could data centre expansion affect America’s travel and hospitality industry?

Data centre construction and development may generate business travel involving engineers, contractors, consultants and technology specialists. This could increase demand for hotels, serviced accommodation, transport and restaurants. However, the extent of these benefits varies by location, and the cited rankings do not directly measure tourism expenditure.

6. What are the biggest challenges facing US data centre development?

Electricity availability, transmission infrastructure, planning approvals, construction timelines and community concerns are among the major challenges. CBRE reported that primary-market data centre inventory reached 10,903 MW in the first half of 2026, while vacancy fell to 1.4%, illustrating strong demand for available capacity.

Editorial source note: The supplied Jones & Swanson state rankings are reproduced from the research brief and have not been independently verified against the underlying September 2026 directory. Pew Research Center and CBRE figures have been cross-checked against their published reports. Their datasets use different reporting dates and methodologies, so they should not be presented as directly comparable.