Article originally posted in the Phoenix Business Journal on Nov. 2, 2026.

The number of real estate listings that mention data centers is small but growing, a reflection of how the market is starting to position itself around the developments.

The data comes from a Compass International Holdings analysis of real estate listings active on U.S. multiple listing services on Oct. 13. It shows there were 477 active property listings on that date that mention data centers — a 49% jump from the same time last year, although still a small piece of the roughly 2 million total active listings.

Most of the listings that mention data centers were for land, at nearly two-thirds of the postings, followed by single-family homes for sale and rentals.

The data reveals the bifurcated view of data centers. For example, one Compass listing showcases a 148-acre property in Taylor, Texas, that boasts of the presence of a transmission tower that makes the spot perfect for a data center. Another listing for property in nearby Burnet, Texas, meanwhile, has the seller of a ranch describing the beauty of the property with dark night skies, no windmills and no data centers nearby, according to Compass.

“Some landowners are looking to cash in on the AI boom by marketing their properties to data center developers,” said Jonah Coste, an economist at Compass International Holdings. “But for owners of single-family homes and other residential properties, proximity to data centers is often perceived as more of a drawback than a selling point. Concerns about noise and rising electricity costs may make them less likely to highlight a nearby data center in their listings.”

Across the third quarter of 2026, there were 250 new listings that included the mention of a data center, according to Compass, up 55% from the 161 such references a year ago and the highest number of mentions dating back to 2019.

Texas dominated the number of new listings that mention data centers, followed by Arizona and Georgia, according to the Compass data.

“Data centers are likely here to stay, but there are serious open questions about how they impact local communities,” said Rick Doak, a land specialist in Texas with Compass Ranch and Land, a subsidiary of Compass International Holdings. “People are worried about water usage, air quality, property values, the destruction of rural roads and the effect on neighboring ranches. Since many data centers are being built in 18 to 24 months, there are also questions about how long the economic growth and job opportunities will last.”

Those issues have contributed to widespread backlash against data centers that has played out across the country.

Challenges to data centers

Polling from news outlet Heatmap over the last year found that 61% of Americans “strongly oppose” a data center being built near where they live, up from 24% in August 2025. When combined with people who are “somewhat opposed” to data centers, the total in opposition rises to 75%, up from 42%.

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