The United States currently leads the global data center network with approximately 12,000 active facilities spanning 175+ countries, representing over 67 GW of operational IT load. According to reports from Investing.com India, the U.S. houses roughly 40%-45% of global capacity, with infrastructure heavily concentrated in a handful of zones. As of mid-2026, the Commercial Tracker & Inventory Baseline reported 2,035 active operational data centers in the U.S., while broader public directories count smaller edge hubs and multi-tenant properties, putting the total at 4,000 to 4,700 active facility locations. The top five states with active facilities include Virginia (329-600+ facilities), Texas (229 facilities), California (167 facilities), Ohio (113 facilities), and Oregon (100+ facilities).
Data centers generate significant economic returns through construction employment and tax revenue generation. As reported by Investing.com India, construction of major hyperscale data centers employs 1,500 to 5,000 skilled workers over an 18-24-month period, with the average data center salary at roughly $160,000, nearly double the national median household income. In Loudoun County, Virginia, a major data center hub, data centers generate roughly 38 percent of the county's general fund revenue, according to government financial reports. For every $1 in public services they consume, they pay approximately $26 in taxes – six times more than traditional manufacturing.
The backlash against data centers has reached critical levels, with seven in ten Americans opposing AI data centers in their local area, according to Gallup's extensive survey. Nearly 48% are strongly opposed, while barely a quarter favor these projects, with only 7% strongly in favor. This opposition has begun affecting elections at both local and national levels, with the issue becoming part of several candidates' platforms in midterm elections. The opposition stems from multiple concerns including electricity price increases, grid capacity issues, and environmental impacts. As reported by The Conversation, AI's growing appetite for power is putting Pennsylvania's aging electricity grid to the test, with similar patterns emerging in other regions.
Data centers face mounting criticism for their environmental impact beyond power consumption. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, data centers emit sounds from cooling systems, diesel generators, and fans that can be heard for hundreds of feet around facilities. Large-scale cooling systems could eventually use 17 billion gallons of water, competing with water use in areas already hit by long-term drought. The facilities also cause pollution by adding chemicals like chlorine or bromine to water supplies, according to the University of Georgia. Opponents have raised concerns about property value impacts, though the NAR's 2026 Data Center Impact report suggests these concerns may be overstated.
