Advantages and Drawbacks of Buying Land in Ohio in 2026

Buying land in Ohio can still be a strong move in 2026—especially if you want space, long-term upside, or a foothold in a major agricultural state. But today’s market is more data-driven than ever, and Ohio’s land story includes both momentum and meaningful local risk. Understanding current value trends, farm consolidation, and county-by-county differences will help you buy with confidence.

Ohio Land Market Snapshot (What the Numbers Say Now)

Ohio land values have remained resilient, even as the broader farm economy cycles. In 2025, Ohio’s farm real estate value averaged $9,350 per acre, a 6.7% increase from 2024, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) - 2025 Land Values Summary. For context, the U.S. average farm real estate value reached $4,350 per acre in 2025, up 4.3% ($180 per acre) from 2024, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) - Land Values 2025 Summary Report.

Short-term trends also show a market that’s still adjusting after its recent highs. Ohio farmland values rose 2.8% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, but remained 9% below the Q4 2023 high, according to the Farmland Intel - Grower’s Edge Value Index Summary Q2 2025. Earlier in 2025, values had fallen 11.47% from the Q3 2023 peak as of Q1 2025, according to the Growers Edge Farmland Value Index Q1 2025.

Meanwhile, cropland has posted strong gains. Ohio’s cropland value rose 9.7% between 2023 and 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The Pros of Buying Land in Ohio

1) Strong Agricultural Fundamentals and Long-Term Demand

Ohio remains a serious farm state, and that supports land demand over time. In 2024, Ohio had 74,000 farms, down 2.4% from 75,800 in 2023, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). That decline matters—but it also reflects a broader trend toward consolidation rather than a collapse in land usefulness.

In the same report, land in farms totaled 13.5 million acres in 2024, down 200,000 acres from 2023, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). As farmland becomes scarcer, high-quality parcels can become more competitive, particularly in productive regions.

2) Larger Average Farm Size Can Signal Consolidation Opportunities

Ohio’s average farm size reached 182 acres in 2024, up 1 acre from 2023, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). For buyers, that shift can create opportunity: neighboring operators may seek to expand, and investors may find more consistent tenant demand in established farm corridors.

3) County-Level Hot Spots for Value and Liquidity

Where you buy in Ohio matters as much as what you buy. In Q2 2025, Ohio’s top farmland value counties included Pickaway, Greene, Shelby, Morrow, and Auglaize, according to the Farmland Intel - Grower’s Edge Value Index Summary Q2 2025. Higher-value counties often bring stronger resale liquidity, more comparable sales data, and deeper buyer pools.

4) Diverse Landscapes and Use Cases

Ohio offers fertile cropland, pasture, timber, rolling hills, and recreational ground. That diversity helps buyers match land to a goal—row crops, hunting property, a homestead build, or long-term holding. In practical terms, it also means you can often diversify within the same state without changing your legal, tax, or regulatory environment.

5) Potential for Appreciation—With Reality Checks

Ohio’s per-acre values have proven they can rise quickly, but the recent pullback from 2023 peaks is a reminder to buy based on fundamentals, not hype. The market gained 2.8% in Q2 2025 yet remained 9% below the Q4 2023 high, per the Farmland Intel - Grower’s Edge Value Index Summary Q2 2025. And as of Q1 2025, values were still 11.47% below the Q3 2023 peak, per the Growers Edge Farmland Value Index Q1 2025. Buyers who underwrite conservatively and plan to hold through cycles are typically best positioned.

The Cons of Buying Land in Ohio

1) Limited Public Land Access

Ohio is heavily privately owned, which can limit public access for recreation compared with many western states. If hunting, hiking, or riding on public ground is central to your lifestyle, you may need to prioritize proximity to state parks, wildlife areas, and other managed lands—or plan to buy more acreage to meet your needs.

2) Market Volatility After Peak Pricing

Recent index data shows that Ohio farmland values have not moved in a straight line since 2023. The fact that values were down 11.47% from the Q3 2023 peak as of Q1 2025 (Growers Edge Farmland Value Index Q1 2025) and still 9% below the Q4 2023 high in Q2 2025 (Farmland Intel - Grower’s Edge Value Index Summary Q2 2025) means timing and underwriting matter—especially if you might need to sell quickly.

3) Development Pressure and Farm Loss Trends

Ohio has fewer farms and fewer acres in farms than it did just a year earlier. In 2024, the state had 74,000 farms, down from 75,800 in 2023, and 13.5 million acres in farms, down 200,000 acres year-over-year, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Depending on your goals, this can be a positive (scarcity and competition) or a negative (fragmentation, more neighbors, or shifting land use near expanding metros).

4) Variable Climate and Site-Specific Risk

Ohio’s four-season climate can be tough on scheduling, construction timelines, and certain farming plans. Some areas also face higher flood risk near major rivers and low-lying watersheds. If you’re buying near water, floodplain mapping and access-road elevation are not optional items—they’re core due diligence.

5) City-Adjacent Costs and Constraints

Ohio can be affordable, but not every parcel is “cheap land.” In and around major metros, you may face higher taxes, tighter zoning, and more permitting complexity. If your plan depends on building, subdividing, or adding income uses (storage, rentals, agritourism), confirm feasibility before you close.

Key Factors to Consider Before Buying Land in Ohio

• Location and county trends: Compare county value strength and resale demand. For example, Q2 2025 top-value counties included Pickaway, Greene, Shelby, Morrow, and Auglaize per the Farmland Intel - Grower’s Edge Value Index Summary Q2 2025.
• Intended use and zoning: Confirm zoning, setback rules, minimum road frontage, and whether the parcel allows residential, agricultural, commercial, or mixed uses.
• Soil, drainage, and flood risk: Evaluate soil quality, tile/drainage, slope, and mapped flood hazards—especially if you plan to build or farm row crops.
• Infrastructure: Verify road access, power availability, water/septic feasibility, and broadband options. Raw land can become expensive if you must install everything.
• Mineral rights: Confirm whether mineral rights convey with the surface and check for existing leases or easements that can affect usage.
• Price realism: Use multiple benchmarks. Ohio averaged $9,350 per acre in 2025 per USDA NASS - 2025 Land Values Summary, while the national average was $4,350 per acre per USDA NASS - Land Values 2025 Summary Report. Local comps and parcel characteristics still drive the final number.

Final Words

Ohio land can deliver real upside—productive soils, diverse property types, and durable demand in the right counties. The data also shows a market that’s normalizing after 2023 highs: values improved in 2025, but indexes still tracked below peak levels (Farmland Intel - Grower’s Edge Value Index Summary Q2 2025; Growers Edge Farmland Value Index Q1 2025).

If you buy with clear goals, verify zoning and infrastructure, and run realistic numbers for your county and parcel, owning land in the Buckeye State can be both practical and rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the main costs of buying land in Ohio?

Expect the purchase price, closing costs (title work, recording, insurance), and ongoing property taxes. Development can add major costs if you need a driveway, well, septic, electric service, or site prep. If mineral rights do not convey, negotiating them separately can also affect total cost.

Does Ohio restrict buying farmland in any way?

Rules can vary by township, municipality, and program, but Ohio generally allows farmland purchases by individuals and entities. Always verify local zoning, deed restrictions, and any conservation or agricultural district terms tied to the parcel.

How can I find out who owns the mineral rights?

Start with the county recorder’s office and review the deed history for mineral severances, leases, and easements. A title company or real estate attorney can help confirm what conveys at closing.

What land surveys are needed in Ohio?

Survey needs depend on the transaction and intended use. New splits typically require a survey by a licensed surveyor, and lenders may require an updated survey for financed purchases.

Is unincorporated land a good cheap option?

It can be, especially if you prioritize acreage and privacy. However, limited utilities and stricter-than-expected county or township permitting can raise your all-in cost, so confirm buildability and access before you buy.