Who owns U.S. farmland?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 2024 Tenure, Ownership and Transition of Agricultural Land Survey, part of the Census of Agriculture, offering a snapshot of who owns and controls U.S. farmland. 

The data provide details on farmers and ranchers who rent agricultural land to other farmers and ranchers, and on landlords who do not farm. 

Responses from more than 2 million landowners who collectively rent out 348 million acres highlight shifts in land control. Notably, non-farming landlords own 79% of the acres represented in the survey. 

In the press release, Joseph L. Parsons, NASS administrator, is quoted as saying, “About 5% of the nearly 900 million U.S. farmland acres, or about 43 million acres, is slated for ownership transfer in the next five years, not including farmland that is in or is expected to be put into wills or trusts.” 

The survey also highlights demographics:  

• 62.9 is the average age of landlords 

• 58.1 is the average age of farmers 

• 52% of principal landlords have never farmed 

The findings give producers a clearer view of land access, lease dynamics and decision-making authority, factors that directly influence long-term planning, including water access for irrigation and other on-farm water needs. 

Full results can be found at www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/TOTAL.