Key Facts

• President Trump claimed that communities rejecting AI data centers miss out on benefits like higher home values and lower taxes.
• A July poll showed 63% of U.S. voters oppose building AI data centers near their communities, a rise from previous years.
• Data centers are new and research on their impact on neighborhoods and home prices is still limited.
• A 2023 study from George Mason University showed that in Virginia, homes closer to data centers sell for higher prices.
• The study suggests this happens because data centers locate where there is strong infrastructure, good transport, and job opportunities.
• Experts say data centers do not directly add value, but are part of areas that already attract homebuyers.
• Some real estate agents report mixed effects on home prices in areas planning or hosting data centers.
• Residents worry about data centers’ noise, energy use, and water consumption, which could reduce home desirability.