Multiple Sources · 35 states
States With Most Farmland
Agriculture is the foundation of America's food supply and a major economic driver in rural states. Total agricultural acreage includes both cropland (corn, soybeans, wheat) and pastureland (cattle grazing). American farmers are some of the most productive in the world, feeding 330 million domestic consumers while exporting billions in grain and meat annually. However, farmland is under pressure from urban sprawl, rising land prices, and climate change. States with the most farmland play an outsized role in national food security and rural employment.
Key Findings
- 1Kansas leads with a total agricultural acres of 14,059,000, followed by Illinois (11,194,000) and Texas (10,639,000).
- 2Utah ranks last at 14,000, while Kansas leads at 14,059,000.
- 3The national median across all states is 2,663,000 (Mississippi at the midpoint).
- 4The top 10 states are: Kansas, Illinois, Texas, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Indiana.
Full Ranking: States With Most Farmland
Source: Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
| # | State | Total Acres | Crops |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 64,000 | 1 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 2,910,000 | 3 |
| 3 | Washington | 2,477,000 | 3 |
| 4 | Virginia | 80,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Utah | 14,000 | 1 |
| 6 | Texas | 10,639,000 | 7 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 1,830,000 | 2 |
| 8 | South Dakota | 9,312,000 | 6 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 205,000 | 1 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 69,000 | 2 |
| 11 | Oregon | 880,000 | 1 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 5,474,000 | 4 |
| 13 | Ohio | 4,890,000 | 2 |
| 14 | North Dakota | 7,776,000 | 6 |
| 15 | North Carolina | 2,010,000 | 2 |
| 16 | New York | 47,000 | 1 |
| 17 | Nebraska | 7,750,000 | 5 |
| 18 | Montana | 4,995,000 | 3 |
| 19 | Missouri | 9,127,000 | 5 |
| 20 | Mississippi | 2,663,000 | 3 |
| 21 | Minnesota | 8,930,000 | 6 |
| 22 | Michigan | 2,030,000 | 2 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 193,000 | 2 |
| 24 | Kentucky | 3,870,000 | 2 |
| 25 | Kansas | 14,059,000 | 8 |
| 26 | Iowa | 10,295,000 | 3 |
| 27 | Indiana | 5,600,000 | 2 |
| 28 | Illinois | 11,194,000 | 4 |
| 29 | Idaho | 2,620,000 | 3 |
| 30 | Georgia | 1,100,000 | 1 |
| 31 | Colorado | 3,069,000 | 4 |
| 32 | California | 827,000 | 3 |
| 33 | Arkansas | 3,456,000 | 3 |
| 34 | Arizona | 333,000 | 2 |
| 35 | Alabama | 375,000 | 1 |
Methodology
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas has the highest total agricultural acres at 14,059,000, according to Census ACS 2023 data. Illinois and Texas round out the top three.
Utah has the lowest total agricultural acres at 14,000. New York is second-lowest at 47,000.
The median across all 35 states is 2,663,000. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently — the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.
This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.
Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS data (currently 2023 5-Year estimates). The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually, typically in September. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.