Data center growth reshapes Johnstown housing market, leaves homeowner weighing future
Data center growth in Johnstown, Ohio, particularly by Cologix and Intel, is significantly impacting the local housing market. Home prices have increased, and a homeowner living near construction is struggling to find an affordable comparable residence if she were to sell.
Data center expansion, including projects by Cologix and Intel, is transforming the housing landscape in Johnstown, Ohio. Theresa Piper, a resident for over a decade, finds her "forever home" now bordered by data center construction, with cranes visible from her backyard. While developers have acquired and cleared other nearby homes for data center infrastructure, Piper's property was not included, leaving her in an uncertain situation. She is reluctant to move unless a developer offers a price that would allow her to purchase a comparable home, which she estimates could cost between $750,000 and $950,000.
Local Realtor Tammy Hendren notes that many homeowners who accepted buyouts from developers are now contributing to increased competition for remaining properties, as they wish to stay in the community. Data from Columbus Realtors indicates a significant rise in median home sale prices within the Johnstown-Monroe Local School District, from $270,000 in 2020 to $425,000 in 2025. Although broader Central Ohio also experienced price increases, Hendren attributes the local market pressure to a limited supply of new homes, continued demand from displaced residents, and investor interest, all exacerbated by the data center growth. Piper and her husband are currently waiting for a resolution to their predicament.