Driving east from San Diego, you might wonder where California’s land shortage went. The buildings thin out, but the land keeps going.

In 2020, California’s urban areas contained 94.2% of its population but occupied approximately 5% of its land. What occupies the other 95%? Much of it is working farmland, public land, or rugged country far from urban services.

How Much of California is Farmland?

Much of that open ground is working land. The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 24.2 million acres in California farms, including about 10 million acres of cropland and 10.9 million acres of pastureland. California grows nearly half the country’s vegetables and more than three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. An absence of buildings is hardly an absence of purpose.

How Much of California is Owned by the Federal Government?

Federal agencies managed approximately 45.4 million acres in 2024, roughly 45% of the state. Some agricultural acreage overlaps those holdings, so the totals can’t be added together.

Far Northern California is its own beautiful beast. In the Trinity Alps, steep canyons, granite ridges, and winter snow make getting there a hard sell, and Wilderness protection keeps much of that country wild.  As for the commute, ask me again when helicopters are priced like pickup trucks.

What Makes Private Vacant Land Hard to Develop?

On privately owned vacant land, the obstacles can be less dramatic but just as decisive. I helped an investor evaluate several separately owned parcels on Brawley’s eastern edge. They bordered a man-made canal. The water was right there; getting it to the properties was another matter.

Some owners said they had been told pumping was prohibited. Others said demand wasn’t high enough to justify service. They wanted water but had not found a way to pursue a clear answer together. The bridge providing direct access was also out. Going around meant traveling miles through BLM land.

The investor decided against the purchase. Water approvals remained uncertain, and the bridge problem had no clear resolution. These factors didn’t mean that the land could never be used, but it did mean the investor wasn’t ready to buy with those uncertainties. California’s open acreage is not all waiting for buildings. Some already produce food, some is protected, and some have practical problems that need unique expertise to solve.

For those buying or holding Southern California land, look closely at what your plan depends on. Nearby infrastructure matters only if you can actually use it. If you’ve got questions about buying land in Southern California or finding the best use for your property, get in touch with me at Choenig@NationalLand.com or find your local Land Professional today!