Top Ohio Counties to Buy Land in 2026

Ohio land buyers are navigating a market shaped by metro expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and a steady reshuffling of the state’s agricultural footprint. On the farm side, Ohio reported 13.5 million acres of land in farms in 2024—down 200,000 acres from 2023—while the average farm size rose to 182 acres per farm (up 1 acre year over year), according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). That gradual consolidation, paired with development pressure, helps explain why many investors are targeting counties positioned along growth corridors rather than only hunting for “cheap acres.”

Pricing and valuation trends reinforce this shift. In 2025, agricultural land in Ohio averaged $8,760 per acre—a 9% increase from 2023—based on USDA data summarized by Mossy Oak Properties (USDA data). At the same time, statewide value indicators continued to move up: Ohio cropland values increased 5.2% in 2025 and overall Ohio farmland values increased 6.1% in 2025, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Development demand is a key driver—Ohio State’s Ani Katchova noted that Ohio farmland values increased by 4.7% due to high demand from urban development, per Ohio State University (Ani Katchova).

National context matters, too: in 2025, average U.S. cropland value reached $5,830 per acre, up 4.7% from 2024, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Ohio’s higher averages reflect both productive ground and the added premium of being near buildable growth areas.

Below are three Ohio counties that consistently stand out for buyers who want lifestyle value now and a realistic path to long-term appreciation.

Cuyahoga County

Cuyahoga County—anchored by Cleveland—remains one of Ohio’s most strategically important regions. It has reinvented itself beyond legacy shipping and manufacturing into a modern economy supported by healthcare, finance, education, and culture. That mix keeps demand durable even when interest rates or building cycles fluctuate.

From a land-buyer’s perspective, Cuyahoga’s opportunity is less about finding massive raw tracts in the urban core and more about positioning near the region’s outward push. As redevelopment and infill tighten supply closer to downtown, buyers who track transportation arteries and utility expansions can still uncover parcels that become “obvious” later—especially as households and businesses look for space beyond the densest neighborhoods.

Watch connective routes and edge-market transitions where zoning shifts, industrial reuse, and logistics needs can turn today’s quiet acreage into tomorrow’s high-utility site. In Cuyahoga, patience and precision usually outperform speculation based on hype alone.

Franklin County

Franklin County powers Central Ohio’s growth engine. Columbus continues to attract employers, talent, and large-scale development, and that momentum pushes the value of well-located land across the county and its near-ring edges.

Pricing signals how strong the development premium can be here. In Franklin County, land values range from $15,000 to $30,000 per acre due to development potential, according to Mossy Oak Properties. For buyers, that spread often reflects differences in entitlements, road frontage, utility access, school districts, and the likelihood of rezoning.

To invest intelligently, focus on sites that can “ride” the next wave of infrastructure: parcels near expanding routes, growing employment nodes, and areas already seeing early commercial or industrial planning. If you want a longer runway with potentially lower entry pricing, look slightly outside the highest-heat zones—but stay close enough to benefit when development lines connect.

Delaware County

Delaware County completes a high-demand Central Ohio cluster thanks to its proximity to Columbus and its strong reputation for family-friendly communities. It blends fast-growing suburbs with still-rural pockets where buyers can find more breathing room without losing access to the metro economy.

Land dynamics here often hinge on school district draw, commute patterns, and the pace of subdivision buildout. As housing supply struggles to keep up with demand, builders and long-term holders compete for parcels that can support future neighborhoods, mixed-use nodes, or “land-banked” holdings awaiting better terms.

If your goals include privacy, hobby farming, or an eventual exit to a builder, Delaware County’s best opportunities usually sit in the transition zone—where you can still feel the countryside, but utilities and road improvements are moving your way.

What Today’s Farm and Crop Data Means for Land Buyers

Ohio’s land story is not just about growth—it’s also about how working land is evolving. Ohio’s harvested area was 7.80 million acres in 2025, down slightly from the previous year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Combined with the 2024 decline in total land in farms and the slight increase in average farm size, this points to a market where fewer acres remain purely “in ag” over time, while the acres that do remain may be managed in larger units.

For buyers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the closer a tract sits to a metro edge, a major highway, or a utility-ready corridor, the more it may trade like a development asset rather than purely an agricultural one. That tension is part of why values have held up and climbed even when parts of the ag economy soften.

Final Thoughts

Ohio still offers meaningful choices—from metro-adjacent parcels with near-term upside to rural acreage that supports recreation, privacy, or agricultural use. But the best outcomes usually come from matching the county to your actual plan: hold for appreciation, build later, farm now, or secure a legacy property.

Across the state, the data shows tightening supply signals (like fewer acres in farms) alongside rising values tied to development demand. If you want to buy well, prioritize counties and submarkets where infrastructure, employment growth, and land-use trends align—then underwrite each parcel based on access, utilities, zoning realities, and exit options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Ohio counties tend to be strongest for land investment momentum?

Counties tied directly to major job growth and infrastructure spending often lead—especially those surrounding Columbus and Cleveland. Franklin County typically commands the biggest development premium, while Delaware County frequently benefits from spillover demand and housing pressure.

Are Ohio farmland and cropland values still rising?

Yes. In 2025, Ohio cropland values increased 5.2% and overall Ohio farmland values increased 6.1%, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Separately, Ohio State’s Ani Katchova linked a 4.7% increase in Ohio farmland values to high demand from urban development, per Ohio State University (Ani Katchova).

How much does agricultural land cost per acre in Ohio right now?

In 2025, agricultural land in Ohio averaged $8,760 per acre, a 9% increase from 2023, based on USDA data summarized by Mossy Oak Properties (USDA data). Prices vary widely by county, zoning, utility access, and proximity to metros.

What’s happening with farm acreage and farm size in Ohio?

Ohio reported 13.5 million acres of land in farms in 2024 (down 200,000 acres from 2023) and an average farm size of 182 acres per farm (up 1 acre), according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

How does Ohio compare to national cropland values?

Nationally, average cropland value reached $5,830 per acre in 2025, up 4.7% from 2024, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Ohio’s averages tend to run higher, reflecting both productivity and development pressure.

What factors can hurt land value in Ohio?

Common value drags include floodplain limitations, difficult topography, heavy clearing needs, poor access, uncertain zoning, costly demolition, and proximity to areas losing population or services. Buyers typically discount parcels when they require major remediation before any practical use.

Should buyers get title insurance when purchasing land in Ohio?

Yes. Title insurance helps protect you from hidden liens, boundary disputes, missing easements, and other ownership issues that can surface after closing—especially with older parcels or properties that have changed hands multiple times.

What closing costs and ongoing expenses should land buyers expect?

Buyers often pay for title work, recording fees, survey needs, legal review, and (when relevant) environmental due diligence. After purchase, plan for property taxes and appropriate insurance coverage based on how you use the land.

What contingencies should buyers consider adding to an Ohio land contract?

Many buyers protect themselves with contingencies for clear title, acceptable survey results (including acreage and encroachments), verified legal access, satisfactory environmental screening (such as a Phase I when appropriate), and confirmation that utilities or on-site systems are feasible for the intended use.