Data Center Construction Dominates US Private Office Building Market with Nearly Two-Thirds of Spending

In August 2026, US data center construction accounted for 63% of all private office building expenditures, totaling nearly $85 billion and marking a 73% annual increase, according to the US Census Bureau.

Data center construction has surged to dominate the private office building market in the United States, now accounting for nearly two-thirds of all related investment. According to data from the US Census Bureau, nearly $85 billion was spent solely on data center construction in August 2026. This figure represents 63% of the total private office construction expenditure for that month, demonstrating a remarkable 73% increase compared to the previous year.

The growth in spending on data center construction is stark when compared to figures from just five years ago. In January 2021, the amount allocated to building data centers stood at approximately $9.26 billion, indicating almost an order of magnitude increase over the five-year period. It is important to note that these sums cover only the physical construction costs and exclude the purchase of data center equipment.

Beyond data centers, other sectors such as energy infrastructure also experienced growth. Construction spending on electrical power facilities rose by 9.7% year-over-year, contributing to overall growth in construction investment.

These trends highlight the expanding importance of data centers as critical infrastructure supporting the digital economy, driving a significant portion of construction activity within the private office sector. The rapid rise in investment underscores the growing demand for data processing and storage capabilities as businesses and services increasingly rely on cloud computing and digital technologies.

As the industry continues to evolve, the prominence of data center construction in the broader market is expected to remain substantial, reflecting ongoing technological advances and the burgeoning need for robust digital infrastructure.