More than 1,800 U.S. projects achieved certification in 2022, for a total of nearly 353 million sq ft of area, according to the group. Last year “was a strong year for LEED certifications across the U.S.,” Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC, said in a statement. 

Massachusetts has 96 buildings that were certified last year, totaling more than 26.4 million sq ft, or 3.76 sq ft per capita. Illinois ranks No. 2 with 3.48 sq ft per capita spread across 91 projects. It is followed by New York, California and Maryland, according to USGBC calculations, based on its data and U.S. census records. 

USGBC also notes that Washington, D.C., would lead the per capita ranking, if it were a state, with more than 46 sq ft of LEED-certified space per capita. The district would consistently top the annual list thanks in part to the federal government and local commitments to green building, says USGBC. There were 115 D.C. projects with a total of 31.8 million sq ft certified last year.

California has the most LEED-certified projects for the year with 386 buildings totaling 96.5 million sq ft—the largest gross area. But California's gross square footage per capita is 2.44. USGBC also noted that California has the most LEED professionals with more than 26,000 credentials issued in the state.

LEED is a metrics-based rating system administered by USGBC that accounts for factors like carbon emissions, use of energy and water, materials and indoor environmental quality. Since it was established in 2000, USGBC says more than 100,000 projects totaling 11 billion gross sq ft have achieved LEED certification globally.

The top 10 states for LEED certification in 2022. Chart courtesy of U.S. Green Building Council