Special Report
America's Most (and Least) Valuable States
June 3, 2015 5:57 am
Last Updated: December 4, 2019 7:28 am
11. Florida
> Value of land per acre: $28,961
> Total value: $1.0 trillion (4th highest)
> Total acres: 35.3 million (24th largest)
As a whole, Florida was worth $1 trillion, making the state the fourth most valuable in the nation. Nearly 15% of land in Florida was classified as developed, the seventh highest percentage compared to other states, and well above the 5.8% figure for the nation’s 48 coterminous states. As in most other states, the high degree of land development in Florida largely accounts for the valuable property.
12. Michigan
> Value of land per acre: $23,765
> Total value: $865 billion (7th highest)
> Total acres: 36.4 million (21st largest)
Less than 28% of land in Michigan is used for agriculture, a lower percentage than in most states, and well below the figure of 47% for the lower 48 states. It accounted for only 3.9% of the state’s total value, less than half the comparable national percentage.
ALSO READ: The 10 Most Expensive Places to Get Married
13. Illinois
> Value of land per acre: $23,492
> Total value: $833 billion (9th highest)
> Total acres: 35.5 million (23rd largest)
Just 3% of Illinois is owned by the federal government, and it accounted for just 2% of the state’s total value — both figures were among the lowest in the country. While the states with the highest estimated values tended to have lower percentages of agricultural land, this was not the case in Illinois. More than three-quarters of the state is designated as agricultural, a higher proportion than all but six other states. Developed land still accounted for 58.8% of the state’s total value, however.
14. Virginia
> Value of land per acre: $21,921
> Total value: $555 billion (11th highest)
> Total acres: 25.3 million (13th smallest)
Nearly 10% of Virginia is federally owned, higher than the national percentage, unlike most relatively high-value states. As a whole, Virginia was worth $555 billion, the 11th highest total estimated value in the nation. More than 15% of land in Virginia was federally-owned, the 12th highest compared to other states.
ALSO READ: The Most Unusual Causes of Death by State
15. New Hampshire
> Value of land per acre: $19,840
> Total value: $114 billion (7th lowest)
> Total acres: 5.7 million (6th smallest)
New Hampshire is one of the smallest states in the country, with just 5.7 million acres. The state was worth an estimated $114 billion — also one of the lower such figures nationwide. On a per acre basis, however, New Hampshire was valued at nearly $20,000, making the state the 15th most valuable in the country.
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.