Even though America is well known across the world for its public lands and national parks, private landowners nonetheless control a sizable chunk of its expansive landscape. A small number of affluent families and successful businesspeople are frequently included in this private ownership. Furthermore, while Bill Gates is not in the top 25 for overall acreage, he remains a significant player as America's largest farmland owner.
With 2,411,000 acres, the Emmerson Family takes the No. 1 spot as America's largest landowner in The Land Report 100 presented by @PeoplesCompany: https://t.co/VuTnBopZ1B pic.twitter.com/I31LLT7PeQ
— The Land Report (@landreport) March 25, 2024
Emerging US real estate owners from the tech world, though not always at the very top of the overall list, are increasingly acquiring substantial tracts. These private landowners and families are provides a fascinating insight into wealth distribution, resource control, and diverse investment strategies across the United States. Delve into the latest rankings which reveals the timber kings, and ranching dynasties who are shaping the nation's private land map in 2025.
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Who Are America's Top 25 Private Landowners in 2025?
The Land Report is a respected publication that annually tracks the nation's biggest deed holders. It has recently released its 2025 findings, and its investigations are a mix of long-standing land-owning traditions. The top tier remains dominated by families whose fortunes are deeply rooted in natural resources. Here's a list of America's top 25 largest private landowners in 2025, by total acres held:
| Rank | Name | Total Acres (2025) |
| 1 | Emmerson Family | 2,440,000 |
| 2 | John Malone | 2,200,000 |
| 3 | Ted Turner | 2,000,000 |
| 4 | Stan Kroenke | 1,762,000 |
| 5 | Reed Family | 1,661,000 |
| 6 | Irving Family | 1,267,792 |
| 7 | Buck Family | 1,236,000 |
| 8 | Singleton Family | 1,100,000 |
| 9 | King Ranch Heirs | 911,215 |
| 10 | Pingree Heirs | 830,000 |
| 11 | Briscoe Family | 738,000 |
| 12 | Brad Kelley | 675,000 |
| 13 | Wilks Brothers | 675,000 |
| 14 | Thomas Peterffy | 647,000 |
| 15 | Stefan Soloviev | 617,000 |
| 16 | Lykes Heirs | 615,000 |
| 17 | Ford Family | 600,000 |
| 18 | O'Connor Heirs | 587,800 |
| 19 | Westervelt Heirs | 566,000 |
| 20 | Stimson Family | 552,000 |
| 21 | Martin Family | 550,000 |
| 22 | Horton Family | 528,000 |
| 23 | Jeff Bezos | 462,000 |
| 24 | Zane & Tanya Kiehne | 455,000 |
| 25 | Simplot Family | 443,000 |
Source: The Land Report (2025 investigations)
Top 5 Largest Private Landowners in the United States
These vast holdings represent not just personal wealth, but also significant economic power and influence over natural resources and their future use. Below is the list of top 5 largest private landowners in the United States of America:
1. Emmerson Family (2,440,000 acres)
Red Emmerson leads this family and controls vast timberland across California, Oregon, and Washington through Sierra Pacific Industries. Their holdings are larger than three times the land area of Rhode Island. This family signifies their dominance in the commercial forestry sector.
2. John Malone (2,200,000 acres)
The former cable-TV magnate comprise of his significant acreage across several states, including Colorado, Maine, and New Mexico. Malone is known for his commitment to land preservation. He is often incorporating conservation easements into his property management.
3. Ted Turner (2,000,000 acres)
Ted Turner is the founder of Turner Broadcasting who is a prominent figure in American ranching. He has extensive landholdings and he manages the world's largest private bison herd. Moreover, his ranches blend economic viability with ecological sustainability.
4. Stan Kroenke (1,762,000 acres)
As the owner of major sports teams like the LA Rams, Kroenke's land portfolio includes significant ranching operations. His properties stretch across the Great Plains and Rockies, with diversification into areas like hunting leases.
5. Reed Family (1,661,000 acres)
The Reed family has expanded their landholdings in the commercial forestry mainly. Their holdings are spread across California, Washington, and Oregon. Moreover, their long-term investment in timber reflects the steady cash flow and capital appreciation potential of such assets.
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Why are these Individuals and Families Acquiring So Much Land?
Beyond traditional timber and ranching, the article highlights several compelling reasons for this concentration of land ownership:
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Timber's Allure: Commercial forestry offers steady income, long-term capital growth, and significant potential for carbon offsetting. The vast and continuous tracts provide leverage in biodiversity markets and act as a hedge against inflation.
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Ranching Diversification: While cattle remain central, ranching dynasties are branching out into hunting leases, wind-energy easements, and conservation tourism, to find new revenue streams from their expansive properties.
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Tech Titans' New Frontier: Billionaires from outside traditional natural resource industries, such as Jeff Bezos and Thomas Peterffy, are increasingly investing in land. For example, rocket testing for Blue Origin on Bezos's land, and long-term stewardship motives, reflect a broader shift of tech fortunes into tangible assets.
In conclusion, America's private land ownership landscape is a dynamic one, shaped by legacy families in timber and ranching, and increasingly by new wealth from the tech sector. The trends suggest a continued interest in land as a valuable and versatile asset for generations to come.
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