The largest landowners in the United States control millions of acres spread across ranches, forests, farmland, and conservation areas. These vast holdings shape industries such as timber, agriculture, cattle ranching, energy, and land conservation. In recent years, the rankings at the top have shifted dramatically, with a major acquisition reshuffling who holds the No. 1 position.
Below is a clear breakdown of the biggest private landowners in America, how they built their empires, and why land ownership has become a powerful long-term investment.
Who Is the Largest Landowner in the United States?
As of late 2025, Stan Kroenke is the largest individual landowner in the United States, owning an estimated 2.7 million acres of land. He overtook longtime leader John Malone after acquiring nearly 937,000 acres of ranchland in New Mexico, pushing his total holdings well past his rivals.
While some families own more land collectively, Kroenke now holds the top spot among individual landowners.
How Stan Kroenke Became America’s Largest Landowner
Stan Kroenke, best known as the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, has quietly built one of the largest private land portfolios in the country. Before his most recent purchase, he already owned around 1.7 million acres, ranking third among individual landowners.
The New Mexico acquisition lifted his total to about 2.7 million acres, placing him ahead of John Malone, Ted Turner, and even the powerful Emmerson family.
Kroenke owns at least nine major ranches, including the 560,000-acre Q Creek Ranch in Wyoming and large properties in Texas and the American West. Roughly $4 billion of his estimated $22 billion net worth is tied up in land.
In addition to land, Kroenke controls a global sports empire that includes Arsenal FC, the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Rapids.
John Malone: The Former King of American Land
For nearly two decades, John Malone was the largest individual landowner in the United States. The cable billionaire owns about 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Colorado, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Malone built his fortune by transforming a struggling cable company into Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI), which he sold to AT&T in 1998 for $32 billion. He later expanded through Liberty Media, holding major stakes in Warner Bros. Discovery, the Atlanta Braves, and Formula One.
His land strategy focuses heavily on conservation, with many properties protected through permanent easements. Malone has often said land appealed to him because, unlike companies, it rarely disappears.
The Emmerson Family: America’s Largest Family Landowners
If families are included, the Emmerson family controls about 2.44 million acres, making them the largest private family landowners in the United States.
Their land is managed through Sierra Pacific Industries, a timber company founded in 1949 by Red Emmerson. Rather than selling land like many timber companies did in the 1970s and 1980s, the Emmersons doubled down on ownership.
Their vertically integrated model—owning forests, mills, and processing facilities—has made them one of the most powerful players in the U.S. timber industry, with holdings across California, Oregon, Washington, and the South.
Top 20 Largest Landowners in the United States
Together, the 20 largest private landowners control more than 22 million acres, an area larger than Ireland or South Carolina.
- Stan Kroenke – 2,700,000 acres
Sports owner and real estate investor with vast ranch holdings across the West.
- Emmerson Family – 2,440,000 acres
Owners of Sierra Pacific Industries and dominant players in U.S. timber.
- John Malone – 2,200,000 acres
Cable billionaire with ranches, timberlands, and conservation properties.
- Ted Turner – 2,000,000 acres
CNN founder known for bison restoration and large conservation ranches.
- Reed Family – 1,615,000 acres
Owners of Green Diamond Resource Company, focused on sustainable timber.
- Buck Family – 1,320,000 acres
Heirs to Subway co-founder Peter Buck with large holdings in Maine.
- Irving Family – 1,267,000 acres
Major timber owners with advanced reforestation operations.
- King Ranch Heirs – 911,000 acres
One of the most iconic ranches in U.S. history, based in Texas.
- Pingree Heirs – 830,000 acres
A historic Maine timber dynasty known for sustainable forestry.
- Cullen Heirs – 800,000 acres
Texas-based holdings linked to the Hugh Roy Cullen oil fortune.
- Brad Kelley – 675,000 acres
Private ranch owner with land across Texas, Florida, and Kentucky.
- Wilks Brothers – 675,000 acres
Energy billionaires with controversial land access policies.
- Thomas Peterffy – 647,000 acres
Founder of Interactive Brokers with major Florida timber holdings.
- Stefan Soloviev – 617,000 acres
Agricultural investor with large Midwest and Plains farmland.
- Lykes Heirs – 615,000 acres
Florida landowners known for cattle and citrus operations.
- Ford Family – 600,000 acres
Owners of Roseburg Forest Products, spanning timber regions nationwide.
- O’Connor Heirs – 587,800 acres
Historic Texas ranching family with mineral-rich land.
- Westervelt Heirs – 566,000 acres
Southeastern land managers focused on timber and conservation banking.
- Stimson Family – 552,000 acres
Owners of Stimson Lumber with holdings in the Pacific Northwest.
- Martin Family – 550,000 acres
Louisiana timber leaders operating under RoyOMartin.
The Drummond Family and the “Pioneer Woman”
Just outside the top 20 are the Drummonds, who own about 433,000 acres in Oklahoma. The family gained national fame through Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman. Their ranch covers nearly 9 percent of Osage County and supports cattle operations and federal wild horse programs.
Why Land Ownership Still Matters in America
The largest landowners in the United States benefit from land’s unique advantages: long-term appreciation, tax efficiency, resource production, and conservation value. As carbon markets, sustainable timber, and conservation easements grow, land is increasingly seen as both a financial asset and a strategic one.
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