Farm Count by State 2026

The State with the Most Farms

Texas is the state with the most farms, with approximately 231,000 operations as of 2024 data (the most recent data available as of early 2026). Farms do well in Texas for several reasons. First, Texas has plenty of sunshine, which is important. Second, Texas’s sheer size also allows for a large number of agricultural operations to exist side by side, from small family farms to large ranches. Finally, its varied soils, climate zones, and long agricultural history have helped sustain a high number of farms over time.

Other States with a Lot of Farms

Several other states also have high farm counts, though none approach Texas’s total. As of 2024 data, Iowa and Missouri follow with just over 85,000 farms each. Ohio has about 74,000. Such states as Illinois, Oklahoma, and Kentucky all report between roughly 69,000 and 70,000 farms.

Many of these states are located in the Midwest and Great Plains, regions long associated with U.S. agricultural production. Their high farm counts reflect a mix of crop farming, livestock operations, and long-established rural land use, rather than any single agricultural specialty.

What Farms Need to Thrive

While people think of the United States as an industrial superpower, it also has a tremendous amount of farmland. That said, farms do not necessarily thrive everywhere. Several ingredients are required for farms to thrive, such as sunshine, fertile soil, and access to water.

What People Grow on Farms

People can grow a variety of agricultural products on farmland. For example, many associate farms with animals. Some of the most common ones include pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep. Different types of animals do well in different parts of the country. People also grow crops. Some farms specialize in growing wheat, while other farms might specialize in growing corn. Farmers frequently tailor the crops they grow to match the nutritional makeup of the soil.