How To Get Free Land In The US? 30 Litigation Free Ways!

Are you looking for the opportunity to settle elsewhere? Are you planning to move into a new city in search of financial success? If yes, there are now many states available in the USA and Canada where you can easily claim free land for residential or commercial purposes.

After the introduction of the 1862 Homestead Act, many states in the USA started welcoming new settlers by giving away free lands.

However, it is now extremely difficult to get land for free with this act. Instead, you can claim the lands that the respective city councils are offering.

But not every place is ideal for resettling. Besides, you also need to be sure about the available amenities in the area. And to help you, we have found several such places where you can easily relocate without spending a single dollar.

 

 

 

What Is The Homestead Act?

During the California Gold Rush in the 1800s, new settlers were rapidly moving toward the west of the United States in search of a better lifestyle and financial opportunities.

And to aid the rush in the westward direction, the Homestead Act was passed in 1862. With this act, the US government has established legal ways to get free land.

However, the act states that you need to stay at the new place for at least five years before you can claim free land. After initiating this new act, the US government allotted 160 acres of land for the western settlers.

But the last piece of land under this 1862 Homestead Act was handed down way back in 1988 in Alaska. Since then, it has been almost impossible to get free lands from the federal government while exercising the power of this act.

However, many city councils and municipalities are now giving away free lands to the new settlers to ensure economic prosperity.

 

How To Get Free Land In The United States?

Although it is very much possible, it is absolutely not easy to claim free land if you don’t know about the right procedure.

So, we have made a four-step procedure to ensure a hassle-free claim of free land, especially in the United States and Canada.

 

Step 1: Conduct Thorough Research

If you are looking for a new place to settle, you need to conduct thorough research to have an overall idea about your needs. The place must have all the modern amenities, such as proper road conditions, street lighting, and a sewage system.

Besides, you must also check if there is any high school, college, or university present in the area. Shopping centers and hospitals are two more things that you also need to consider before selecting a new plot.

And as we all know, a house is among the best physical assets to buy right now. So, you also need to make sure that you can make a home in the allotted free plot. And many city councils also require you to complete the construction of your house within a specified time.

 

Step 2: Apply For Free Land

Many people want free land in the US, but only a handful actually knows about the right steps.

Once you conduct the research and select any plot, you need to proceed with the application process. And to get new land, you may need to give tons of information about yourself or your financial status.

You can easily download the application form for free lands from the respective city council’s website. Besides, you can also contact any building contractor in that area to learn about the construction procedures.

You may also need to have a project plan ready with you while submitting the application form. Besides, you must also need to have financial support to execute your project.

 

Step 3: Complete Your Deposit And Sign the Agreement

You need to understand that come of the application comes with deposit money, and some are absolutely free. If it is free, you can submit your application with proper documentation. And if it is paid, you need to make the deposit beforehand to process your application.

Many city councils also need you to bring financial incentives to the town. And for that, you may need to complete your house through a local contractor within a specified time. If you get a commercial plot, you may need to create a specific number of jobs to claim the land for free.

Besides the initial deposit, you may also need to pay a small development fee per sq ft basis, which is on the lower side, although many councils will need you to deposit that in advance.

 

Step 4: Understand The Obligations

Once you submit the application and deposit the money, you need to go through the documentation and obligations. Most of these applications need you to fulfill specific criteria, such as making a house within a specified TAT or creating new job opportunities.

Many towns also need you to financially contribute towards the development of the new area. Besides, you may also need to pay water and land taxes in advance. If you are establishing a new industry, you must also comply with labor and environmental laws.

You may not know, but not every city offers land for a lifetime. Instead, those cities allot lands to new settlers on a lease format. So, you must also properly know about your lien period and fees before proceeding further.

 

26 Best Places To Get Free Land In 2024

Even though free lands are available in many countries, not every land is equipped with modern amenities to support a 21^st-century lifestyle.

So, we have found 26 such places in the United States and Canada where you can easily get free land to make a residential house or to establish a new business or industry.

 

1. Lincoln, Kansas

The city of Lincoln in Kansas has recently developed and improved a sub-division to welcome new residents.

And you can now even check out the map of the new sub-division on the website. With a total population of just 3,241, this place is truly heaven for the new settlers.

Lincoln is also ideal for witnessing majestic sunsets and grazing livestock on miles-long fields. And for the tech people, this city also has several WFH companies that pay weekly. So, this city will give you the freedom to work as you wish.

 

2. Marquette, Kansas

Besides Lincoln, Marquette is another city to try if you don’t know how to get free land, especially in the United States. And now, the community of this city has an open invitation for the new settlers.

This city is also known for its affordable lifestyle. Marquette is also ideal for elderly people and toddlers due to its picturesque beauty.

However, you need to build a house to get free land in this community. And once you get permission from the city council, you need to start constructing your house within 120 days.

 

3. Mankato, Kansas

With a total population of just 900, Mankato in the state of Kansas is also an ideal place for the new settlers. And to attract new people, the city council is now offering free land.

However, you need to build a home to get the land. And the home shouldn’t have less than 1200 sq ft area. Besides, you need to complete the construction of your house within two years.

The lot that this city is now offering is pretty close to a high school, motel, hospital, and even steak houses. Besides, the nearest shopping center is just half a mile away.

 

4. Plainville, Kansas

Plainville is another great place in the state of Kansas if you are looking for free land. This city in the Midwest now has just 2,000 permanent residents.

And you can get free land on the 2nd and 3rd streets in west Plainville, an area bounded by Colorado. The current lot that this city is offering is 155 feet long and 93 feet wide.

But you need to construct the entire foundation of your home within a specified time to claim the free land. Besides, you also need to make a deposit of $500 to the city council.

 

5. Osborne, Kansas

You can get beautiful land to settle here permanently. And the best thing about the city of Osborne is that you can even get commercial land for free.

Besides, this city also offers low-interest loans to new settlers to help them start new businesses in this place. However, you need to make a $500 deposit to the city council to get the land.

And you also need to construct at least a 1400 sq ft home within 12 months of getting the free land. Besides, you also must sign a building contractor within 6 months.

 

6. Ellsworth County, Kansas

Ellsworth is a beautiful rural county in central Kansas. Second Lieutenant Allen Ellsworth established this city way back in 1864 as a small frontier.

Although the city became abandoned after a few years, the name still remains. And as of the 2020 census, it has a population of just 6,376.

The city council of this area first initiated a homestead program in August 2003. But that program ended in 2005 after this city welcomed 50 new families. And now, they have 23 new lots to allot to new settlers in this area.

 

7. Buffalo, New York

Getting free land in the state of New York is a dream for everyone. But this dream can be true nowadays as the city of Buffalo is now offering free land to new settlers.

It is a small town that is equipped with all the modern amenities and a robust security system. But, to get free land in this town, you need to pay a small closing fee after your application gets processed.

Besides, you also need to make a new home in your allotted area within a specified time. On a different note, you can do various online jobs that pay more than $20/hour from this city.

 

8. La Villa, Texas

If you are looking for free land without any money, you must try this beautiful little town called La Villa. Situated in Southern Texas, this town has all the modern amenities to offer to the new settlers.

However, this city has very limited free residential slots to offer. Besides, you also need to pay the corresponding property taxes in advance before getting your land.

A five-year lien will also be attached to your contract so that you can’t sell out the home in this city within the first five years.

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9. Flagler, Colorado

Located just 110 miles east of Denver, Flagler is a small, picturesque town in the state of Colorado. It now has a total population of only 680.

And to attract new settlers to this town to boost the economy, the council is now offering free land. However, you need to make a house within a specified TAT.

Besides residential plots, this city is now also offering commercial plots. And you can build guest houses, shops, and even motels, which are the best things to rent out for money these days.

 

10. Agate, Colorado

You may not believe it, but only 70 people live in the small unincorporated town of Agate in the state of Colorado.

So, to boost the economy and to make the area popular, the city council of this town is now offering free lands to new settlers. You can easily get a plot within the specified 60-acre land.

Besides making a small home in this area, you can also get free land to establish your farm or ranches. You can even maintain your livestock as this area has lush green gazing fields. However, you need to share your profit with the Meadowlark Cooperative.

 

11. Tulsa, Oklahoma

If you are eligible to work in the United States, you can get free land in Tulsa in the state of Oklahoma. And if you are a remote worker, you can even get a $10,000 grant from the city council.

However, to get this grant, you need to move to the city within 12 months of application. Besides, you must have a full-time remote job to apply for this grant.

However, you can easily find high-paying remote typing jobs from almost anywhere. And you may be surprised to know that this city has already welcomed 1,700 new settlers till now.

 

12. Beatrice, Nebraska

To clear the barren lands that sit idle on the city map, the council of Beatrice in the state of Nebraska is now offering free land to new settlers.

However, you can only occupy the land for a maximum of five years, although they have a provision to renew the contract as well.

This city already passed its own homestead act way back in 2010. And since then, it has welcomed many new settlers in this area. This city can also be your hometown, as this city has all the modern facilities to offer its residents.

 

13. Elwood, Nebraska

Located in southern Nebraska, Elwood is a beautiful small town that is ideal for new settlers. It is full of hustle and bustle, and you can also get all the modern facilities in this small town.

You can claim free land through the city council, although you need to make a small deposit of $500.

However, you must build a house having at least a 1,400 sq ft area without a garage and basement on this free land. Besides, your building must have a complete foundation. On top of that, you need to complete the construction within a specified time.

 

14. Curtis, Nebraska

Curtis is another beautiful little town in the state of Nebraska where you can get free land. Although this town has a population of just 1,000, you can get all the modern amenities here.

And you’ll instantly fall in love with the local Palm Sunday pageant in this easter city. The land that this town is offering is just 3 minutes away from the airport.

So, there is the ease of communication if you relocate to this city. Besides, this town also has the iconic Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

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15. Loup City, Nebraska

As the current population is aging rapidly, the council of Loup City in the state of Nebraska is not giving away free land to new settlers.

If you are a young individual having a full-time remote job, you can easily relocate to this area, too, while getting free land.

However, you need to make a $1,000 deposit to hold the land. But this deposit will be returned once you complete the construction of your home in this area. Besides, you can also claim down payment assistance of up to $20k.

 

16. Muskegon, Michigan

The administrative body of the Muskegon in the state of Michigan has recently launched an innovative program called Muskegon 25. They primarily launched it to bring new job opportunities to the area.

And for that, this city is giving away free land to everyone who can create new jobs. You can also claim commercial land in this town for free to establish your factory, warehouse, or any other business venture.

And if you can create 25 jobs, you can claim an industrial area of up to 5 acres with all the modern facilities.

 

17. Marne, Iowa

With just 149 permanent residents, Marne is a small town in the state of Iowa.

Recently, Marne Housing & Development Corporation has started giving away free lands to new settlers to incorporate diversity and generate new jobs in this small town.

You can get an 80 X 120 feet plot without playing a single dollar. However, you must build at least a 1,200 sq ft home on that plot within a maximum period of 18 months from the date of application. And you can download the registration from the city council’s website.

 

18. Manilla, Iowa

Located in the rolling hills in western Iowa, Manilla is a beautiful little town. The City of Manilla Municipal Utilities joined hands with the Manilla Economic Development Corporation to start giving away free lands to new people.

They are mainly doing it for economic progress. Right now, there are 16 plots to be donated to 16 new families in the Sunrise Second Addition.

However, you need to make a house on that land within a specified time by the council. But yes, you can expect to get all the modern facilities in this town.

 

19. New Richland, Minnesota

Minnesota is a state known for its lake-view sunsets and gothic-styled churches. And the city of New Richland is full of green golf courses, lakes, and Victorian-style sideways.

So, if you are looking for a lake view, you definitely need to acquire the land that this city is giving for free. There are only 1,200 permanent residents in this small city.

It will be a pocket-friendly choice for you, as the council will also levy your taxes to ensure financial aid. However, to get the land, you need to make a $14,000 deposit, which will be collected over the next 15 years of your land procession.

 

20. Claremont, Minnesota

If any town is as beautiful as New Richland in the state of Minnesota, it is surely Claremont. And now, you can claim free land in this small, picturesque town.

Located in Dodge County, this rural area is ideal for farmland and livestock, as the soil is extremely fertile. You will also have all the modern amenities in this town so that you can accomplish your seasonal WFH jobs from this town.

However, you need to pay an application fee of just $1,000 to claim free land in this town. You can also contact the council by calling on 507-363-6132.

Read: $22 An Hour Is How Much A Year? (Gross & Net Income)

 

21. Grafton, Illinois

Situated on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi river, Grafton is a beautiful little town in western Illinois.

Due to its small permanent population, the city council is now giving away free land to the new settlers to bring new job opportunities to the town.

You can get a lot at the intersection of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers that can make any evening beautiful. But, to get that land, you need to make a deposit of $5,000 to the city council. And you also need to complete the house within a maximum period of three years.

 

22. Camden, Maine

If you have a business that can generate at least 24 jobs in a new place, you are most welcome in this small town of Camden in the state of Maine.

From biotech companies to IT establishments, it is an ideal place to settle any new business. With a population of just 4,052, this city is giving away plots on the 3.5 acres of land near Camden Harbor.

This land is well-equipped with internet connectivity, proper roads, street lighting, and a proper sewage system. Besides, this plot also comes with ample parking space.

 

23. Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio

Who doesn’t like to spend a beautiful evening in a national park, especially if it is the iconic Cuyahoga National Park in the state of Ohio?

To protect the soil diversity and the rural heritage, this national park now gives away free farmlands to farmers.

You can get a lease for up to 60 years in a single shot. And you can get a residential area along with 9 to 12 acres of farmland with all the modern facilities. However, the monthly leasing cost can go as high as $1000/month, depending on the land size.

 

24. Alaska, USA

Yes, we are not talking about a single town but the entire state of Alaska in the westernmost part of the USA.

You can now get free land from the government if you are ready to settle in the rough terrain of Alaska.  However, you can get all the modern facilities in this state.

Even if you don’t want to permanently settle here, you can get a free plot to build a recreational home to make you free from this fast-paced lifestyle. You can also participate in the land auction, where you can choose the allotted plot by bidding on the highest price.

 

25. Anderson, Alaska

Known for the tallest peak in North America, Denali, Anderson is a newly incorporated town in the Borough of Denali in the state of Alaska. With a current population of just 250 permanent residents, this town is now giving away free land to new settlers.

If you are comfortable with remote places with beautiful mountain views, it is the place you should definitely relocate to.

Although it is quite a remote town, you can get all the modern amenities in this area. And you also don’t need to pay any money to settle here.

Read: 25 Best Stock Trading & Investment Apps For Everyone

 

26. Yukon, Canada

If you want to settle in a county side in Canada, the city of Yukon is the best place to be at. You can claim both residential and agricultural land in this town.

But the only catch is that you need to be a permanent citizen of Canada to claim lands, as this town is not open to foreign migrants.

Besides, you must also stay for at least one year in Yukon to claim the land. And you also need to have a project plan and the monetary support to execute that plan in a specified time. You may also need to pay a small development fee to the city council.

 

Conclusion

You need to make sure that you are abiding by all the laws stipulated by the respective city councils to claim any land for free.

Besides, it will be a lot easier for you to get a free plot if you can bring some financial incentives to the new place. And for that, you can try several personal finance hacks that can make you rich in no time.

So, these are all the tested ways to claim free land this year. But, if you think we have missed any place, or if you know about any state or city that is giving away free residential or commercial plots, feel free to drop your suggestions and feedback in the comment box below.

 

FAQs

Can you get free land in the US?

Yes, you can get free land in the United States, especially after the introduction of the 1862 Homestead act.

Many states like Kansan, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska are now giving away free land for new settlers. However, you need to construct your house within a specified time to claim the land for free.

 

Where can I live for free in the USA?

Curtis, Elwood, Beatrice, and Loup City in the state of Nebraska are the places where you can live for free in the United States.

Besides, you can also get free residential plots in Lincoln and Mankato cities in the state of Kansas. Recently, the Buffalo city council in the state of New York is also giving away free plots.

 

Is there unclaimed land in the world?

The Marie Byrd Land is a 1.6 million square kilometers of unclaimed land in West Antarctica, as not a single country has claimed this land till now.

Besides, there are many unclaimed lands in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, France, Chile, and Argentina. You can also get some unclaimed lands even in the UK.

 

Can I claim an uninhabited island?

No, you can’t simply claim an uninhabited island as your own. According to the coastal peripheral act, nations can claim any island, even if it is as far as 200 miles.

Any nation can exercise power in uninhibited islands near their coastal lines in accordance with the Law of the Sea by the UN.

 

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