25 US Cities Adding More Leed Buildings Than The Rest

As climate adaptation and energy efficiency become greater priorities in construction, many U.S. cities have doubled down on green building efforts. In some cities, developers are adding more than five new LEED-registered buildings every year.

Cities with recent surges in LEED adoption often benefit from a combination of local incentives, state legislation, and private sector investment. Many are also experiencing broader construction booms, in which developers are building to higher environmental standards in response to demand from businesses, government, or environmentally conscious tenants.

Many of the cities adding the most new LEED buildings are in the Phoenix, Dallas, Austin metro areas, while some are more remote. Of the 25 cities adding the most LEED buildings over the past 25 years, 13 are in the South, and eight are in the West. Just three are in the Midwest, and only one — Cincinnati — are in the Northeast. A closer look at the data reveals the cities adding the most new green buildings.

To identify cities where LEED is taking off, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the latest data from the U.S. Green Building Council. Cities were ranked based on the average annual growth rate in LEED-certified buildings from 2000 to 2025. Supplemental data on population and and median household income are from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey and are five-year estimates.

25. Northlake, TX

LEED growth rate: +1.6 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 368 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 1,511.9 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $119,803
Total population: 7,138
Newest LEED registrations: Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 24, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 24, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 24, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 10, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 10, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 10, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 10, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 10, 2023)

24. Leander, TX

LEED growth rate: +1.7 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 470 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 211.8 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $140,180
Total population: 67,880
Newest LEED registrations: Northline (registered December 22, 2023), Zekelman Property Bldg A (registered December 22, 2023), Zekelman Property Bldg B (registered December 22, 2023), Zekelman Property Bldg C (registered December 22, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered May 23, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes BOYL (registered April 17, 2023), Coventry Homes BOYL (registered April 17, 2023), Coventry Homes BOYL (registered April 17, 2023)

23. Houston, TX

LEED growth rate: +1.7 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,305 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 13.0 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $62,894
Total population: 2,300,419
Newest LEED registrations: Rosslyn (registered May 20, 2025), Sempra 1360 Post Oak Lv 15 & 16 (registered May 15, 2025), Frankel Building Group (registered May 1, 2025), GulfBelt Logistics Ph 1 – Bldgs A, C & D (registered April 10, 2025), GRBCC South Transformation (registered April 7, 2025), Brickyard (registered April 3, 2025), IAH United Club Program B North Terminal (registered March 26, 2025), Frankel Building Group (registered February 28, 2025), Frankel Building Group (registered February 28, 2025), Frankel Building Group (registered February 28, 2025)

22. Fort Worth, TX

LEED growth rate: +1.7 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 901 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 25.3 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $76,602
Total population: 941,311
Newest LEED registrations: JRB Hangar 1405 Addition/Alteration (registered February 7, 2025), Carter Park East Phase V – Bldg 1 (registered December 27, 2024), Carter Park East Phase V – Bldg 2 (registered December 27, 2024), Carter Park East Phase V – Bldg 3 (registered December 27, 2024), Carter Park East Phase V – Bldg 4 (registered December 27, 2024), Speedway 3 Building 2 – Project Spyder (registered June 21, 2024), Carter Park East Phase III Bldg 3a (registered October 30, 2023), Carter Park East Phase III Bldg 3b (registered October 30, 2023), CPE Phase II Bldg 1 (registered July 20, 2023), SAINT LAURENT The Shops at Clearfork (registered April 28, 2023)

21. San Francisco, CA

LEED growth rate: +1.7 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,180 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 28.9 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $141,446
Total population: 836,321
Newest LEED registrations: 1455 Market St. Ph2. Flrs -1, 4, 8 & 18 (registered May 17, 2025), Golden State Warriors Headquarters (registered May 6, 2025), 655 Beach Street (registered March 13, 2025), Bakar BioEnginuity Hub West (registered March 12, 2025), Balboa Reservoir Building A (registered March 3, 2025), 772 Pacific (registered February 27, 2025), Teknion San Francisco Showroom (registered February 25, 2025), 981 Mission St. SF, CA 94103 (registered January 31, 2025), UCSF Hunters Point Research Facility (registered January 9, 2025), 1515 South Van Ness (registered October 3, 2024)

20. Liberty Hill, TX

LEED growth rate: +1.8 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 420 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 2,759.5 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $111,000
Total population: 6,706
Newest LEED registrations: Coventry Homes Austin (registered May 23, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered February 14, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered January 11, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered January 11, 2023)

19. Austin, TX

LEED growth rate: +2.0 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 777 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 17.3 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $91,461
Total population: 967,862
Newest LEED registrations: Hayes Builders, LLC (registered May 21, 2025), DLR AUS01 Austin HQ (registered May 21, 2025), Hayes Builders, LLC (registered May 21, 2025), Hayes Builders, LLC (registered May 21, 2025), Town Lake Center Austin (registered May 14, 2025), Colony Park (registered April 17, 2025), AUS West Parking Garage (registered March 30, 2025), Foundry I (registered March 17, 2025), AISD Sadler Means YWLA (registered February 25, 2025), AISD Navarro ECHS – Athletics (registered January 31, 2025)

18. Philadelphia, PA

LEED growth rate: +2.0 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,064 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 14.6 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $60,698
Total population: 1,582,432
Newest LEED registrations: Riverview Wellness Village (registered April 30, 2025), UPenn Physical Sciences Building (registered December 18, 2024), Greenbuild 2024 (registered August 19, 2024), 1735 Market Street (registered May 14, 2024), City of Philadelphia (registered April 12, 2024), 914 S. Broad Street (registered February 29, 2024), 255 Rouse Boulevard (registered February 29, 2024), Building 83 (registered February 29, 2024), 333 Rouse Boulevard (registered February 29, 2024), Flagship Block – Phase 1 (registered February 29, 2024)

17. Pflugerville, TX

LEED growth rate: +2.1 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 482 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 195.6 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $112,656
Total population: 65,162
Newest LEED registrations: Austin 2 (registered February 29, 2024), Link Pflugerville Building 1 (registered October 31, 2023), Link Pflugerville Building 2 (registered October 31, 2023), Link Pflugerville Building 3 (registered October 31, 2023), Link Pflugerville Building 4 (registered October 31, 2023), Link Pflugerville Building 5 (registered October 31, 2023), Link Pflugerville Building 6 (registered October 31, 2023), Link Pflugerville Building 7 (registered October 31, 2023), Brookfield Northgate 35 (registered August 11, 2023), Building 9 (registered May 26, 2023)

16. Boston, MA

LEED growth rate: +2.2 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 902 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 29.7 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $94,755
Total population: 663,972
Newest LEED registrations: JPMC Retail MA 8900 IN (registered May 21, 2025), Skanska Office – 101 Seaport (registered May 20, 2025), 355 Bennington St (registered May 6, 2025), Boston Public Library – Chinatown (registered April 27, 2025), Chase Hall (registered April 8, 2025), McCulloch Hall (registered April 8, 2025), Upham's Corner Library (registered April 7, 2025), 1330 Boylston Street (registered April 3, 2025), 2025 HED Boston Office Relocation (registered February 19, 2025), PNC Roxbury (registered December 6, 2024)

15. Round Rock, TX

LEED growth rate: +2.3 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 893 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 188.0 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $97,187
Total population: 124,288
Newest LEED registrations: Phase 1 Bldg 4000 and Bldg 5500 Addition (registered August 13, 2024), Sunrise Commerce Center – Building A (registered February 5, 2024), Sunrise Commerce Center – Building B (registered February 5, 2024), Sunrise Commerce Center – Building C (registered February 5, 2024), Coventry Homes Austin (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered January 11, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered January 11, 2023), Coventry Homes Austin (registered January 11, 2023)

14. San Diego, CA

LEED growth rate: +2.4 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,056 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 19.1 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $104,321
Total population: 1,385,061
Newest LEED registrations: SDSU UTE Building (registered May 19, 2025), Westfield University Town Center (registered May 13, 2025), 15435 Innovation Drive (registered April 10, 2025), San Diego Fire Station 48 (registered March 3, 2025), 10020 Pacific Mesa Boulevard (registered February 11, 2025), ARE SD Tech East Amenity Building (registered January 24, 2025), Building D (registered December 23, 2024), Building E (registered December 23, 2024), Building A (registered December 23, 2024), Building B (registered December 23, 2024)

13. Arlington, VA

LEED growth rate: +2.4 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 622 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 52.2 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $140,160
Total population: 235,463
Newest LEED registrations: Alexan Courthouse (registered May 20, 2025), Commerical Vehicle Inspection Facility (registered April 14, 2025), 2500 Wilson (registered March 7, 2025), Crystal House 3 (registered August 16, 2024), Metro Entrance Pedestrian Access Control (registered June 26, 2024), Citibank Clarendon (registered May 30, 2024), Riverhouse South Multifamily (registered April 11, 2024), Riverhouse South 1 (registered March 1, 2024), Riverhouse South 2 (registered March 1, 2024), Riverhouse South 3 (registered March 1, 2024)

12. Severn, MD

LEED growth rate: +2.5 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 782 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 362.8 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $130,627
Total population: 58,041
Newest LEED registrations: Arundel Self Storage (registered December 20, 2023), Hanover Logistics (registered December 6, 2023), West County Swim Center (registered December 7, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022), Delacour at Blue Stream (registered September 6, 2022)

11. Georgetown, TX

LEED growth rate: +2.7 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 590 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 188.5 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $91,857
Total population: 78,803
Newest LEED registrations: Westinghouse Crossing Bldg A (registered December 22, 2023), Westinghouse Crossing Bldg B (registered December 22, 2023), Westinghouse Crossing Bldg C (registered December 22, 2023), Westinghouse Crossing Bldg D (registered December 22, 2023), Westinghouse Crossing Office Bldg A (registered December 22, 2023), Westinghouse Crossing Office Bldg B (registered December 22, 2023), Georgetown 35 – Bldg 1 (registered November 7, 2023), Georgetown 35 – Bldg 2 (registered November 7, 2023), Georgetown 35 – Bldg 3 (registered November 7, 2023), Georgetown 35 – Bldg 4 (registered November 7, 2023)

10. Argyle, TX

LEED growth rate: +3.0 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 661 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 3,592.4 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $172,604
Total population: 4,970
Newest LEED registrations: Northlake 35 Phase II – Bldg 5 (registered December 20, 2024), Northlake 35 Phase II – Bldg 6 (registered December 20, 2024), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 25, 2023)

9. Chandler, AZ

LEED growth rate: +3.2 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 597 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 54.3 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $103,691
Total population: 278,123
Newest LEED registrations: AZ1-801, Chandler Bldg B (registered May 15, 2025), AZ1-800, Chandler Bldg A (registered May 13, 2024), AZ1-804, Chandler Bldg C (registered May 13, 2024), AZ1-805, Chandler Bldg D (registered May 13, 2024), Park Place – 1650 S. Price Road (registered May 30, 2023), Treeland Lot 1 (registered September 27, 2022), Treeland Lot 2 (registered September 27, 2022), Treeland Lot 3 (registered September 27, 2022), Treeland Lot 4 (registered September 27, 2022), Treeland Lot 5 (registered September 27, 2022)

8. Queen Creek, AZ

LEED growth rate: +3.3 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 494 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 247.8 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $134,719
Total population: 66,369
Newest LEED registrations: Waterston North Lot 233 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 234 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 232 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 235 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 238 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 239 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 242 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 247 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 249 (registered January 5, 2022), Waterston North Lot 257 (registered January 5, 2022)

7. Los Angeles, CA

LEED growth rate: +3.9 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,979 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 13.0 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $80,366
Total population: 3,857,897
Newest LEED registrations: Robert K. Ross Center for Hope – East (registered May 15, 2025), USC Athletics West Baseball Complex (registered April 30, 2025), LADWP Valley Generating Stations (registered March 13, 2025), Restorative Care Village Phase I (registered March 10, 2025), USC Keck Infill Project (registered February 12, 2025), WMC – Building Management Office (registered February 12, 2025), UCLA Wilshire Center (registered February 6, 2025), Echo Park – Sunset (registered January 31, 2025), Echo Park – Liberty (registered January 31, 2025), Rexford – 18455 Figueroa (registered January 28, 2025)

6. New York, NY

LEED growth rate: +4.1 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 2,325 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 6.4 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $79,713
Total population: 8,516,202
Newest LEED registrations: Columbia – Hartley Hall Renovation (registered May 21, 2025), 530 Fifth Ave (registered May 21, 2025), Nightingale-Bamford Athletic Facility (registered May 7, 2025), JB&B New York Office (registered May 7, 2025), Red Hook Recreation Center (registered March 28, 2025), 850 Third Avenue (registered March 28, 2025), NYHM – Guestroom, Ballroom, Meeting Room (registered March 26, 2025), 350 Park Avenue (registered February 25, 2025), SPARC Kips Bay (registered January 23, 2025), 675 Third Avenue (registered January 6, 2025)

5. Phoenix, AZ

LEED growth rate: +5.2 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,175 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 18.5 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $77,041
Total population: 1,624,832
Newest LEED registrations: Rosewood Logistics Center (registered May 14, 2025), Saguaro Logistics Center (registered May 14, 2025), ASU Bateman PSH (registered February 25, 2025), Sky Harbor Commerce Park – Bldg 1 (registered December 20, 2024), Sky Harbor Commerce Park – Bldg 2 (registered December 20, 2024), Sky Harbor Commerce Park – Bldg 3 (registered December 20, 2024), Airport Center – Bldg 1 (registered December 20, 2024), Airport Center – Bldg 2 (registered December 20, 2024), Palo Verde – Building A (registered August 6, 2024), Palo Verde – Building B (registered August 6, 2024)

4. Cincinnati, OH

LEED growth rate: +5.3 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,548 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 96.9 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $51,707
Total population: 309,595
Newest LEED registrations: The Seven Hills Lower School (registered March 26, 2025), 2686 Grandin (registered March 18, 2025), 3706 Hyde Park (registered March 18, 2025), 4021Taylor (registered March 18, 2025), 4015 Taylor (registered March 18, 2025), 1227 Corbett (registered March 18, 2025), 1225 Corbett (registered March 18, 2025), 3541 Heekin (registered February 19, 2025), 222 Hastings (registered January 28, 2025), 1616 Hughes (registered January 28, 2025)

3. Washington, DC

LEED growth rate: +5.9 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 3,054 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 87.2 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $106,287
Total population: 672,079
Newest LEED registrations: Mitchell Residence Hall – Renovation (registered April 21, 2025), Madison Shelter Renovation (registered April 15, 2025), DC Stabilization Center (registered April 7, 2025), BNY Washington DC (registered March 27, 2025), 1201 Connecticut Avenue NW (registered March 13, 2025), William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center (registered March 11, 2025), JPMC Retail DC-0802-IN (registered March 3, 2025), 725 12th Street (registered March 3, 2025), 1200 18th Street NW (registered February 25, 2025), 2715 Pennsylvania Ave (registered February 24, 2025)

2. Denver, CO

LEED growth rate: +5.9 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,465 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 42.5 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $91,681
Total population: 713,734
Newest LEED registrations: Mestizo-Curtis Park Pool Renovation (registered March 25, 2025), PNC South Central Park (registered March 3, 2025), Denver Police Department, District 6 (registered December 18, 2024), AHEC 5th St. Garage, Dept of Revenue (registered November 6, 2024), 115 W 2nd Ave (registered September 30, 2024), 115 W 2nd Ave (registered September 30, 2024), 115 W 2nd Ave (registered September 30, 2024), 115 W 2nd Ave (registered September 30, 2024), 115 W 2nd Ave (registered September 30, 2024), Denver Wastewater O+M (registered September 20, 2024)

1. Gilbert, AZ

LEED growth rate: +12.5 new building registrations per year
LEED-registered buildings: 1,905 buildings
LEED-registered building concentration: 203.2 per 10,000 housing units
Median household income: $121,351
Total population: 271,118
Newest LEED registrations: Gateway 202 – Building C (registered November 9, 2023), Gateway 202 – Building D (registered November 9, 2023), Gateway 202 – Building A (registered November 8, 2023), Gateway 202 – Building B (registered November 8, 2023), Waterston Central Lot 226 (registered August 11, 2023), Waterston Central Lot 227 (registered August 11, 2023), Waterston Central Lot 228 (registered August 11, 2023), Waterston Central Lot 229 (registered August 11, 2023), Waterston Central Lot 230 (registered August 11, 2023), Waterston Central Lot 231 (registered August 11, 2023)