Why data centers need your land
The demand for data center capacity is growing faster than developers can build. Cloud computing, AI training, streaming, and enterprise IT all require physical infrastructure, and that infrastructure needs land. Lots of it.
In 2024, big tech invested over $180 billion in data center campuses (Dell'Oro Group via Network World). Hyperscalers accounted for over 10% of all commercial development site purchases, and 24% of all industrial-zoned site acquisitions were for data centers (Newmark). McKinsey projects approximately $100 billion in data center land acquisition costs from 2025 to 2030.
The land they want is not in cities. It is in rural areas where electricity is cheap, acreage is plentiful, and the terrain is flat. If you own farmland, ranch land, or vacant acreage near a power substation, your property could be worth significantly more than its agricultural value.
What data center companies pay for land
$244K/acre
Weighted avg. price, 2024
Cushman & Wakefield
$6.3M/acre
Record: Loudoun County, VA
Data Center Dynamics, Nov 2025
+23%
Price increase YoY for 50+ acre parcels
Cushman & Wakefield
Pricing depends on location, power availability, and parcel size. In Northern Virginia, 97 acres recently sold for $615 million, or $6.3 million per acre (Data Center Dynamics). BlackChamber Group paid $160 million for 38 acres in Prince William County, Virginia (Commercial Observer). Microsoft paid $465.5 million for 124 acres in the same county (Bisnow).
These are not just Virginia numbers. In Salt Lake County, parcels once valued at $50,000 per acre are now approaching $400,000, driven entirely by data center demand (datacenters.com). Secondary markets like Des Moines and Reno are seeing 20-40% year-over-year land price increases. The value is not in the dirt. It is in the power access, the fiber routes, and the environmental conditions.
The six factors that determine your land's value
1. Power proximity (most important)
Distance to the nearest electrical substation is the single biggest factor. Under 1 mile is ideal. Under 5 miles is good. Over 20 miles is a dealbreaker for most developers.
2. Acreage
20 acres minimum. 50+ is preferred. 200+ acres commands the highest per-acre prices because developers can build campus-scale facilities.
3. Disaster risk
FEMA flood zone X (minimal risk) is strongly preferred. Low seismic risk is also important. Data centers represent billions in infrastructure investment, and developers avoid areas with elevated natural hazard risk.
4. Water access
Data centers use significant water for cooling. On-site water rights, municipal water connections, or well water access all add value.
5. Zoning
Industrial zoning is ideal. Agricultural zoning is common and can usually be rezoned. Commercial works too. Residential zoning is the hardest to work with.
6. Fiber connectivity
Proximity to existing fiber-optic backbone routes. Within 1 mile is excellent. This is less of a dealbreaker than power because fiber can be extended, but it affects the timeline and cost.
How DataAcre works
DataAcre is a free tool that scores your property against these six factors using real data from FEMA, USGS, power grid databases, and fiber maps. You enter your address, acreage, and a few details. We run the analysis and give you a score out of 100.
If your property scores well, it gets surfaced to our network of verified data center developers, investors, and brokers. They can express interest, and we facilitate introductions. You never pay anything for the basic report.
We offer an optional premium report for $49 that includes detailed power grid analysis, comparable land sales, and estimated market value range. But the basic report and buyer matching are completely free.
Questions about selling land to data centers
How much do data centers pay for land?
The weighted average price for data center land in 2024 was $244,000 per acre (Cushman & Wakefield). In top markets like Loudoun County, Virginia, land has sold for $6.3 million per acre (Data Center Dynamics). In secondary markets like Salt Lake County, parcels once valued at $50,000/acre are now approaching $400,000 (datacenters.com). The key drivers are power capacity, fiber access, and location.
What size land do data centers need?
The average parcel purchased in 2024 was 224 acres, up 144% from 2022 (Cushman & Wakefield). Minimum is around 20 acres for a small facility. Mid-size campuses need 50-100 acres. Hyperscale campuses (Google, Amazon, Meta) can require 200-500+ acres. Larger parcels almost always command higher per-acre prices.
Do data centers buy farmland?
Yes, frequently. Farmland is ideal because it is flat, available in large parcels, and affordable. Many of the biggest data center campuses in America were built on former agricultural land. Meta's campus in Altoona, Iowa sits on former farmland and now spans 5 million square feet (Meta Data Centers).
How do I know if my land qualifies?
The biggest factor is proximity to electrical substations and high-voltage transmission lines. After that, flat terrain, low flood/seismic risk, water access, and favorable zoning all matter. DataAcre checks all of these using real data from FEMA flood maps and USGS seismic hazard databases.