Two-Thirds of U.S. Counties Favor Data Centers Despite Regulatory Hurdles

Learnewable’s latest analysis of 3,144 U.S. counties reveals that two-thirds of them have a favorable public sentiment toward data center development. However, local rules and regulations are proving to be a significant barrier, with only 1.3% of counties clearly favorable overall.

According to the September analysis, 42 counties, representing 1.3% of the country, are currently seen as favorable for data center development. About three-quarters of the counties are neutral, while 22% are unfavorable. This suggests that while public opinion leans in favor of data centers, local regulations are creating hurdles.

The analysis shows that community sentiment is positive in every region. However, local zoning and permitting conditions are contributing negatively to feasibility. Learnewable identified 363 counties where favorable community sentiment exists alongside restrictive zoning rules. This indicates that residents may be open to data centers, even when their local laws make development difficult.

The number of outright bans or moratoriums on data center development has decreased, falling from 501 in July to 332 in September. However, the number of counties with restrictive zoning conditions has nearly doubled, increasing from 324 to 636. Altogether, 968 counties, or 31% of the country, now face some form of regulatory headwind affecting data center development, up from 825 in July.

At the state level, only 14 states have a positive average county score. West Virginia leads with a score of +0.36, followed by Mississippi (+0.32), Idaho (+0.26), and Connecticut (+0.22). A favorable pocket of counties stretches across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Meanwhile, some of the most difficult conditions are found in New York, Maryland, Florida, New Jersey, Indiana, and Ohio.

This nuanced picture of public sentiment and regulatory challenges suggests that the debate over data center development is becoming more complex. While communities may be generally receptive to data centers, they are increasingly seeking stricter rules governing where and how they can be built. Similarly, local governments are deciding where data centers can be constructed, under what conditions, and what developers may need to do before receiving approval.

The evolving regulatory landscape indicates that the debate is not simply about whether communities want data centers but under what conditions they are willing to accept them. This distinction is crucial as AI infrastructure expands across the country, and it highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to data center development.