Loudoun's Data Center Tax Base Jumps, Residential Increases Continue

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — As residential property values continue their climb in Loudoun County, there has also been a significant increase in the data center tax base.

Real estate assessment data was presented Tuesday to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors by Commissioner of the Revenue Bob Wertz and deputy commissioners for real estate assessment Brian Williams and Jim White. According to the presentation, Loudoun County has $144.1 billion in taxable property as of Jan. 1, 2024, an increase of 12.6 percent, or $16.5 billion, from 2023. An 8.7 percent appreciation of existing properties contributed to $11.1 billion of the growth, while new construction contributed $4.6 billion and new lots $794 million.

Overall, residential properties make up 61.3 percent of the county's tax base. The next highest is data centers — 15.9 percent of the tax base.

The data center tax base increased from $15.996 billion to $25.627 billion in 2024. Data centers represent a large share of the county's $43.810 billion commercial tax base. Williams said data center projects completed in 2023 totaled $1.9 billion.

"The valuation change is primarily from new data center construction, growth and electrical capacity of existing data centers and land acquired for data center construction," said Williams.

Residential property values of all housing types increased overall. Single-family home values in areas with public water and sewer increased by 4.67 percent overall, compared to 7.45 percent in 2023. Townhouse values are up 4.96 percent, compared to 5.89 percent in 2023. Condo values increased by 3.72 percent, compared to 3.72 percent in 2023.

For single-family properties up to 20 acres in areas without public water or sewer, values increased by 3.44 percent compared to 13.59 percent in 2023. Rural properties under 100 acres increased by 5.65 percent, which is lower than 11.58 percent last year. Rural properties above 100 acres increased by 9.52 percent, compared to 6.86 percent in 2023.

The average value of a single-family home in Loudoun County is $910,828, up from $863,266 in 2023. Townhouse average values increased from $567,421 to $598,229, while condo values increased from $386,386 to $411,774.

Appreciation of existing properties varied by district. The highest increase of all residential and commercial property types due to appreciation was 18.02 percent in the Sterling District followed by 13.5 percent in Broad Run, 7.62 percent in Dulles, 5.87 percent in Leesburg, 5.57 percent in Ashburn, 5.46 percent in Algonkian, 4.86 percent in Little River and 3.59 percent in Catoctin. White noted in the presentation that Broad Run and Sterling have more commercial values than residential values, unlike the county's other districts.

Residents can search for their 2024 property value on the county's website. Residents' tax bills will be determined by their property value and the real estate tax rate set by the Board of Supervisors during the upcoming budget process. Loudoun County Administrator Tim Hemstreet will present the county budget proposal on Feb. 14.