Washington State Sets Record in Data Center Leasing for Second Year in a Row

Washington State data centers recorded 154.5 megawatts (MW) of net absorption in 2025, a 117% increase from the year prior, reaching a record-high for the state, according to CBRE’s latest North American Data Center Trend Report.

Central Washington had the most net absorption – a measure of leasing activity – in 2025 among secondary markets*** (147.9 MW), a 146.5% increase from 2024. Seattle had 6.6 MW of net absorption in 2025, a 40% decline from 2024.

Central Washington inventory nearly doubled to 402 MW in the second half of 2025, up from 246.4 MW a year prior. Central Washington is one of three markets to surpass the New York Tri-State area in inventory for the first time since CBRE began tracking the market in 2016. Meanwhile, Seattle inventory grew modestly to 155.8 MW, up from 150 MW in H2 2024.

While inventory increased overall, the pace of construction fell by nearly half in both markets from the year prior. Central Washington had 32.1 MW under construction in H2 2025, 72% of which has been preleased. Seattle had 3.5 MW under construction in H2 2025, none of which has been preleased. Nationally, construction activity declined for the first time since 2020 due to extended timelines tied to permitting, zoning approvals and sourcing adequate power.

“Even with new supply planned, Washington remains a highly constrained data center market. The level of preleasing we’re seeing reflects strong, sustained demand, particularly from cloud and AI users who require large amounts of power to service high-density equipment,” said Jane Blair, senior vice president with CBRE’s Data Center Solutions in Seattle.

Blair continued, “As many of the state’s power grids are operating near capacity, developers and users are considering a variety of power solutions. Microgrids powered by new technologies can serve as back-up and interim solutions while awaiting grid upgrades. Alternate data center power sources include small nuclear devices, battery storage, combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT), LNG generators, solar, wind, and biofuels.”

Central Washington had the second-lowest vacancy rate among secondary markets at 2.9% in H2 2025. Seattle’s vacancy rate was 5.9% in H2 2025, down from 6.7% in H2 2024. This is above the national vacancy rate of 1.4%, which reached a historic low even amid a 36% increase in total capacity.

Top Data Center Markets

Northern Virginia expanded to 4,039.6 MW of total inventory, 37% more than a year prior, as the region delivered more than 1 gigawatt (GW)** of new capacity in 2025 amid sustained hyperscale and AI-driven demand. The region now has nearly three and a half times more data center capacity than all secondary US data center markets combined.

Other notable data center markets include Atlanta, one of the fastest-growing regions, with 2,076 MW under construction. Dallas-Fort Worth is now the third North American market to surpass 1 GW of total supply, joining Northern Virginia and Atlanta.

The combination of faster long-distance networks and soaring demand for AI training has opened the door for new markets previously considered “too remote” for large-scale development. Markets such as Nevada, Pennsylvania and Michigan are increasingly attractive due to abundant land, more flexible permitting environments and potentially easier access to power.

Top 10 Largest North American Data Center Markets by Inventory (MW)