U.S. Cities Leading The Green Building Revolution

A program of the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification has become a key metric for tracking sustainable construction. While larger cities have the most green buildings by virtue of scale, some smaller municipalities have focused efforts on sustainable development in recent years, resulting in high per capita rates of LEED-certified buildings.

Cities leading in per capita certification tend to have strong municipal sustainability mandates, active architectural firms focused on green design, or state-level incentives for energy-efficient construction. Some have benefitted from university-led pilot programs or redevelopment of former industrial land into LEED-certified facilities.

Many are in the Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, or Washington, D.C. metro areas, while some are more remote. Of the 25 cities with the most LEED buildings per capita, 15 are in the South, and six are in the West. Just three are in the Midwest, and only two — Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Princeton, New Jersey — are in the Northeast. Many of the cities with the most LEED buildings per capita also have above-average incomes and educational attainment. A closer look at the data reveals the cities leading the green building revolution.

To determine the cities leading the green building revolution, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed data from the U.S. Green Building Council. Cities were ranked based on the number of LEED-certified commercial and institutional buildings per 100,000 residents as of July 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. Only cities with at least 300 LEED-certified buildings were considered.

25. New Orleans, LA

• LEED-registered building concentration: 30.6 per 10,000 housing units (593 total)
• Median household income: $55,339
• Total population: 376,035
• Newest LEED registrations: City of New Orleans (registered December 23, 2024), 533 Royal Street (registered December 2, 2024), New Orleans Marriott (registered February 29, 2024), Newcomb Hall Renovations 1st & 4th Flrs (registered February 6, 2024), JM Smucker – Folgers Chef Plant (registered May 22, 2023), XULA Residence Village (registered April 7, 2023), Charity Redevelopment (registered July 21, 2022), Hutchinson 7th Floor Renovation (registered July 21, 2022), Fogelman Residence Hall (registered July 21, 2022), New Housing – Phelps site (registered July 21, 2022)

24. Glendale, AZ

• LEED-registered building concentration: 40.0 per 10,000 housing units (363 total)
• Median household income: $70,139
• Total population: 250,193
• Newest LEED registrations: Desert Diamond Arena (registered November 21, 2024), Legends Lot 131 – Plan 5027 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 147 – Plan 5024 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 185 – Plan 5024 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 186 – Plan 5027 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 130 – Plan 5027 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 143 – Plan 5026 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 150 – Plan 5024 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 174 – Plan 5024 (registered March 25, 2024), Legends Lot 175 – Plan 5026 (registered March 25, 2024)

23. Denver, CO

• LEED-registered building concentration: 42.5 per 10,000 housing units (1,465 total)
• 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)

22. Frisco, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 49.6 per 10,000 housing units (368 total)
• Median household income: $146,158
• Total population: 210,238
• Newest LEED registrations: South Stoneyards – Building A (registered May 14, 2025), Toyota Financial Services North (registered May 13, 2025), PNC Frisco (registered January 21, 2025), Firefly Dream Hotel (registered February 7, 2024), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), 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 10, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered February 10, 2023)

21. Arlington, VA

• LEED-registered building concentration: 52.2 per 10,000 housing units (622 total)
• 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)

20. Chandler, AZ

• LEED-registered building concentration: 54.3 per 10,000 housing units (597 total)
• 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)

19. McKinney, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 56.6 per 10,000 housing units (408 total)
• Median household income: $120,273
• Total population: 202,314
• Newest LEED registrations: Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023), Coventry Homes Dallas (registered April 18, 2023)

18. Irving, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 60.6 per 10,000 housing units (603 total)
• Median household income: $79,641
• Total population: 255,036
• Newest LEED registrations: Senter Park Aquatic Center (registered February 28, 2024), Mustang Park Multi-Generational Center (registered February 27, 2024), Irving Fire Station 8 (registered February 19, 2024), Antech Dallas (registered November 17, 2023), Towers at Williams Square (registered May 16, 2023), 750 W. John Carpenter Freeway (registered January 3, 2023), Irving Central Fire (registered July 11, 2022), Royal 114 (registered May 13, 2022), 5221 N O’Connor Blvd – East Tower (registered January 28, 2022), 5215 N O’Connor Blvd – Central Tower (registered January 28, 2022)

17. Alexandria, VA

• LEED-registered building concentration: 66.7 per 10,000 housing units (535 total)
• Median household income: $113,638
• Total population: 156,788
• Newest LEED registrations: 101 Duke St Townhomes (registered April 28, 2025), 101 Duke St Townhomes (registered April 28, 2025), 101 Duke St Townhomes (registered April 28, 2025), 101 Duke St Townhomes (registered April 28, 2025), 101 Duke St Townhomes (registered April 28, 2025), 101 Duke St Townhomes (registered April 28, 2025), JPMC Retail VA-7378-IN (registered March 3, 2025), Alexandria Hospital + Cancer Center (registered February 4, 2025), Alexandria Health Center (registered February 4, 2025), 1201 E Abingdon Dr (registered November 21, 2024)

16. Cambridge, MA

• LEED-registered building concentration: 68.0 per 10,000 housing units (367 total)
• Median household income: $126,469
• Total population: 117,794
• Newest LEED registrations: Amgen – AMA (registered November 6, 2024), One Brattle Square (registered October 29, 2024), CambridgeSeven Office (registered March 5, 2024), 99 Erie Street (registered January 26, 2024), 167 Sidney Street (registered January 26, 2024), 89 3rd Street (registered December 20, 2023), 80 Alpine St. (registered December 20, 2023), 128 Sidney Street (registered October 30, 2023), 149 Sidney Street (registered October 30, 2023), Astellas Genesis (registered October 25, 2023)

15. Grand Rapids, MI

• LEED-registered building concentration: 71.9 per 10,000 housing units (605 total)
• Median household income: $65,526
• Total population: 197,768
• Newest LEED registrations: 1309 Madison (registered February 25, 2025), 1309 Madison (registered February 25, 2025), Aberdeen Elementary School (registered October 31, 2024), W Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (registered September 16, 2024), 1138 Cass – 1st floor unit (registered June 17, 2024), 1138 Cass – 2nd floor unit (registered June 17, 2024), 512 Highland – Unit A (registered June 17, 2024), 512 Highland – Unit B (registered June 17, 2024), 32 Pleasant (registered June 17, 2024), Calvin University Commons Union 2.0 (registered February 29, 2024)

14. Washington, DC

• LEED-registered building concentration: 87.2 per 10,000 housing units (3,054 total)
• 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)

13. Cincinnati, OH

• LEED-registered building concentration: 96.9 per 10,000 housing units (1,548 total)
• 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)

12. Jacksonville, NC

• LEED-registered building concentration: 149.8 per 10,000 housing units (374 total)
• Median household income: $54,069
• Total population: 73,507
• Newest LEED registrations: US Marine Corps, P-1525, Environmental M (registered March 30, 2022), US Marine Corps P1801 2nd MARDIV HQ (registered December 9, 2021), US Marine Corps P1801 2nd MLG HQ (registered December 2, 2021), II MEF Headquarters Marine Corps Base, C (registered May 26, 2021), Ambulatory Care Center/Dental -Hadnot Pt (registered October 29, 2016), Wallace Creek Medical – Dental Clinic (registered October 20, 2016), French Creek Medical Clinic Addition (registered October 20, 2016), Simulator Center (registered October 19, 2016), Starbucks Western & Gateway (registered August 30, 2016), Corrosion Control Hangar (registered April 7, 2016)

11. Bethesda, MD

• LEED-registered building concentration: 162.8 per 10,000 housing units (479 total)
• Median household income: $191,348
• Total population: 67,403
• Newest LEED registrations: Citibank Bethesda Row (registered July 8, 2024), The Children’s Inn at NIH Expansion (registered August 9, 2023), The Children’s Inn at NIH Renovation (registered August 9, 2023), AGNC (registered September 14, 2022), Battery Lane, Site C (registered July 15, 2022), Westbard Square Shopping Center (registered January 27, 2022), 4725 Cheltenham Drive (registered January 25, 2022), 3 Bethesda Metro Center (registered November 3, 2021), Auburn Avenue Apts. (registered April 19, 2021), US Navy WRNMMC Building C 80906 Med Cntr (registered April 1, 2021)

10. Santa Fe, NM

• LEED-registered building concentration: 164.9 per 10,000 housing units (734 total)
• Median household income: $70,110
• Total population: 88,224
• Newest LEED registrations: New Mexico Mortgage & Finance Authority (registered July 10, 2023), Santa Fe Teen Center (registered June 22, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021), La Resolana Townhomes (registered May 5, 2021)

9. Round Rock, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 188.0 per 10,000 housing units (893 total)
• 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)

8. Georgetown, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 188.5 per 10,000 housing units (590 total)
• 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)

7. Pflugerville, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 195.6 per 10,000 housing units (482 total)
• 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)

6. Gilbert, AZ

• LEED-registered building concentration: 203.2 per 10,000 housing units (1,905 total)
• 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)

5. Leander, TX

• LEED-registered building concentration: 211.8 per 10,000 housing units (470 total)
• 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)

4. Queen Creek, AZ

• LEED-registered building concentration: 247.8 per 10,000 housing units (494 total)
• 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)

3. Severn, MD

• LEED-registered building concentration: 362.8 per 10,000 housing units (782 total)
• 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)

2. Princeton, NJ

• LEED-registered building concentration: 448.5 per 10,000 housing units (445 total)
• Median household income: $184,113
• Total population: 30,451
• Newest LEED registrations: Princeton Nurseries Data Center 1 (registered October 25, 2024), Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Princeton HQ (registered October 23, 2024), Avalon Princeton Thanet – Building B (registered June 19, 2024), IPG MRM Princeton (registered June 21, 2022), Avalon Princeton Shopping Center (registered June 8, 2022), 23-25 Humbert Street Project (registered November 19, 2021), Princeton Shopping Center (registered June 24, 2021), Avalon Princeton (registered February 24, 2021), Avalon Princeton (registered February 24, 2021), Avalon Princeton (registered February 24, 2021)

1. Redland, MD

• LEED-registered building concentration: 710.8 per 10,000 housing units (418 total)
• Median household income: $123,587
• Total population: 18,976
• Newest LEED registrations: Nidel Residence V4 (registered February 14, 2018), SGS MF D (registered November 28, 2017), Momentum at Shady Grove Metro (registered November 21, 2017), West Side Shady Grove – Building A (registered May 13, 2015), Shady Grove West Side — D (registered September 16, 2014), Shady Grove West Side — D (registered September 16, 2014), Shady Grove West Side — D (registered September 16, 2014), Shady Grove West Side — D (registered September 16, 2014), Shady Grove West Side — D (registered September 16, 2014), Shady Grove West Side — D (registered September 16, 2014)

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