Why Bill Gates Is Buying Up U.S. Farmland

CNBC・2 minutes read

The top 100 private landowners in the US collectively own over 42.1 million acres, with farmland value increasing due to wealthy individuals investing in it. Around 30% of farmland is owned by landlords who lease it out rather than farm it themselves.

Insights

  • The wealthiest private landowners in the US collectively own a significant portion of the country's available land, with the top 100 owning 1.86% of all land, showcasing a concentration of land ownership among the rich.
  • Farmland values have been on a consistent rise since the late 1980s, doubling from the mid-1990s to 2020, indicating a trend where land ownership, particularly in the context of farmland, is increasingly becoming a lucrative investment primarily for individuals of wealth.

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  • Who owns the most land in America?

    John Malone

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Summary

00:00

Wealthy Americans own vast farmland acreage.

  • Bill Gates owns more land than all of New York City.
  • Jeff Bezos owns 420,000 acres of land, double the amount of Bill Gates.
  • John Malone, the largest private landowner in America, owns 2.2 million acres.
  • 100 of the richest private landowners in America own 1.86% of all available land in the US.
  • Farmland value has increased from less than $1,500 an acre in the mid-1990s to $3,160 in 2020.
  • Farmland is primarily owned by people of wealth due to its increasing value.
  • Farmland values have steadily increased since 1988, not correlated with the stock market.
  • The top 100 private landowners in the US own over 42.1 million acres, similar in size to Florida and Connecticut combined.
  • Approximately 30% of all farmland is owned by landlords who don't farm themselves, often leasing it out to farmers.
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