Loudoun County, Virginia, home to the world’s largest concentration of data centres, faces a growing divide between economic prosperity and quality of life as residents grapple with the constant hum and rising costs associated with these facilities. While the industry fuels local jobs and technological advancement, many locals express frustration over noise pollution, escalating electricity bills, and the rapid encroachment of industrial-scale buildings into suburban neighborhoods.
When crossing into Loudoun County, one of the first sensations is the pervasive hum from nearly 200 data centres, earning the area the nickname ‘Data Center Alley.’ This inconspicuous part of northern Virginia, also the wealthiest county in America, gained global attention recently when a massive Amazon outage highlighted its critical role in internet infrastructure. Data centres—dedicated spaces for computer systems that power everything from AI to online services—span about 45 million square metres here, occupying 3% of the county’s land and accounting for 40% of its budget. The region’s flat, cheap land and historical ties to internet companies like AOL made it an ideal hub, but the scale has transformed the landscape into a patchwork of massive, humming facilities.
Residents like Greg Pirio, who lives steps from a bright blue data centre, describe how the constant noise has driven away wildlife and disrupted the serene environment they once enjoyed. ‘There are no birds around here anymore,’ he lamented, noting that the buzzing scares off animals and diminishes the area’s natural charm. For Emily Kasabian, a mother walking her newborn son, the shock came when she saw a sign for a proposed data centre across from her home—a development she never anticipated when buying her house two years ago. She and her neighbors chose the area precisely to avoid such industrial presence, and now face the prospect of their idyllic streets turning into blocks of concrete and glass.
Beyond aesthetic and noise concerns, electricity costs have surged dramatically in areas near data centres. An investigation by Bloomberg News found that wholesale electricity prices rose by as much as 267% over the past five years, burdening households with higher bills. This economic strain contrasts sharply with the industry’s benefits: a state audit reports that data centres create about 74,000 jobs annually in Virginia, contributing $5.5 billion in labor income. Proponents, including the Trump administration, argue that these facilities are essential for advancing artificial intelligence and maintaining U.S. leadership in technology, with plans to ‘accelerate federal permitting’ to foster a ‘golden age for American manufacturing.’
Despite the economic upside, regulatory oversight remains limited. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed state legislation earlier this year that would have imposed stricter regulations on data centres, reflecting a hands-off approach favored by industry groups. Dan Diori of the Data Center Coalition acknowledged the need for better communication with residents but asserted that more regulation is unnecessary, calling data centres the ‘backbone of the 21st century economy.’ However, activists like Barbara Day argue that the rapid expansion has outpaced understanding of its implications, forcing communities to ‘back-paddle’ to address issues after the fact.
Market reports indicate over 1,100 data centres across the U.S. as of August 2025, with nearly 400 new ones under construction, signaling no slowdown in growth. In response, residents like Kasabian are lobbying local and state governments to delay or pause projects, fearing that unchecked development will erode the quality of life that makes Loudoun County desirable. She questions whether her family might have to move, wondering if any new location would be safe from similar encroachment. The tension underscores a broader dilemma: balancing technological progress with community well-being in an era driven by digital demand.
As data centres continue to multiply, the debate in Loudoun County serves as a microcosm of global challenges tied to tech infrastructure. Residents hope for a course correction that preserves their neighborhoods without stifling innovation, but the path forward remains uncertain. With the industry poised for further expansion, the outcomes here could influence how other regions manage the trade-offs between economic opportunity and environmental sustainability.