Loudoun County, Virginia, is home to 199 data centers, comprising the world's largest concentration of such facilities. These centers contribute significantly to the local economy and global connectivity but also raise concerns among residents regarding noise, visual impact, and rising electricity costs.
Overview of Data Centers in Loudoun County
Loudoun County, Virginia, a prominent economic hub and America's wealthiest county, features 199 operational data centers. The presence of these facilities is marked by a constant hum. The county hosts the world's largest concentration of data storage and processing facilities, exceeding that of China. These data centers are specialized infrastructures for computer systems that support internet services and artificial intelligence, thereby contributing to global connectivity. The county's extensive data center infrastructure was recently noted during a global Amazon outage.
Growth and Scope
Approximately 200 data centers occupy an estimated 45 million square meters within Loudoun County, leading to its designation as "Data Center Alley." These facilities account for 3% of the county's total land area and 40% of its budget. Further expansion and construction of additional data centers are underway.
Resident Concerns
Residents have voiced several concerns regarding the data centers. Emily Kasabian reported discovering a sign for a proposed data center near her home, indicating that the absence of nearby data centers had influenced her home purchase two years prior. She stated she would not have purchased her home if she had been aware of the planned facility.
Common concerns include the visual impact of data centers, which typically measure 100,000 square feet and can transform residential landscapes into industrial blocks. Greg Pirio described a large concrete and glass data center near his residence, noting that the area previously featured trees and birds. He observed that the center emits a humming or buzzing noise and has corresponded with a decrease in local bird populations.
Concerns about rising electricity bills have also been expressed by residents. An investigation by Bloomberg News found that wholesale electricity costs in areas adjacent to data centers increased by as much as 267% over a five-year period.
Economic Impact and Advocacy
The data center industry has prominent supporters, including President Donald Trump, who has articulated a goal for the United States to lead in the artificial intelligence sector, an industry reliant on data centers. His administration has stated intentions to "accelerate federal permitting of data center infrastructure" to "conjure 'a golden age for America manufacturing and technology'."
Economically, the data center industry contributes significantly to Virginia's economy, generating approximately 74,000 jobs annually and accounting for $5.5 billion (£4 billion) in labor income, according to a state audit.