The latest data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reveals a stark picture of American land ownership. Released March 12, 2026, the 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land survey shows that non-farming landlords control the majority of rented farmland across the country.
Record-Setting Scale of Rented Acres
Over 2.0 million landowners rent out a total of 348 million acres. Of those acres, 79 percent are owned by non-farming landlords. This group includes private individuals, trusts, family entities, and other non-operating owners.
Key highlights include: • 348 million acres actively rented nationwide • 79% owned by non-farmers • More than 251 million acres rented by private landowners, trusts, or family entities • Total value of rented land and buildings exceeds $1.6 trillion • Landlords collected $34.1 billion in rental income • Total operating expenses for landlords reached $12.0 billion
These figures paint a clear picture of how much agricultural ground is controlled by people who do not actively farm it.
Upcoming Land Transfers and Limited Opportunities
Joseph L. Parsons, NASS Administrator, highlighted the limited supply coming to market:
“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.”
Only 23 million acres are projected to be sold to non-relatives, while 20 million acres will transfer to family members or as gifts. This tight supply means working ranchers and young farmers will face stiff competition for available ground.
Demographics of Non-Farming Landlords
The survey also dives into the people behind the deeds. There are 1.8 million principal non-farming landlords with an average age of 69.2 years. This is notably older than the average farmer age of 58.1 reported in the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Additional demographic facts: • Only 12% of principal landlords are under 55 years old • Nearly 52% of principal landlords have never farmed
These numbers underscore a generational shift where land ownership is increasingly separated from active production.
Why This Data Matters for Western Ranchers
The TOTAL survey stands alone as the most detailed source on agricultural land ownership. It supplies critical statistics for policymakers, researchers, and the farming industry itself. For cowboys and ranch families trying to expand or simply hold onto their operations, the report shows why land access remains one of the biggest challenges in modern agriculture.
With billions in rental income flowing to non-farmers and only a small slice of acres expected to change hands, the pressure on working producers continues to build. The full dataset is now available for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the numbers shaping the future of the American West.
