Free land claims have a long history in the U.S., going back as far as the 1862 Homestead Act that granted citizens and intended citizens government land to live on and cultivate. However, the program failed to meet its original objective — to alleviate poverty.
The Homestead Act was repealed in the 48 contiguous states in 1976 and in Alaska 10 years later. But you can still find towns offering free land to would-be residents who want to relocate on a shoestring budget and can meet homebuilding and other requirements.
The History of Free Land in America
The U.S. has a long history of enticing homesteaders with free land.
The Homestead Act of 1862
The Homestead Act of 1862 was a Civil War-era law signed by President Abraham Lincoln to allow U.S. adult citizens — and people who declared their intention to become citizens — to claim up to 160 acres of government land. In return, the recipients had to cultivate the land and make it their home. The law granted them outright ownership after five years, albeit for a small registration fee.
The act encouraged westward expansion across the U.S., and it eventually distributed 270 million acres of land before the program ended in 1986. Unfortunately, the expense of establishing farms put the land out of reach of the laborers and small farmers the Homestead Act was intended to benefit. In fact, they received only a fraction of the land distributed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The rest went to wealthier individuals.
Modern-Day Homesteading
Today, homesteading can mean several different things, such as sustainable living, usually in rural locations, and often in cooperation with other homesteaders. But homesteading also includes programs that more closely resemble the Homesteading Act-type disbursements of public lands. Only now, the land usually comes from cities and towns looking to entice new residents to put down roots in their communities.
Most free land is located in outlying areas, where shrinking tax bases challenge schools and sparse populations limit opportunities for growth.
Current Opportunities for Free Land
Several towns in the Midwest and beyond offer free land, albeit with strict requirements about how you can use it. Local governments in the following towns hope the offer of free lots will entice people to relocate and help grow or revitalize their communities.
Mankato, Kansas
If small-town living is your goal, you won’t find many smaller than Mankato, located in north-central Kansas. With a population of just over 900 people in a county of 3,000, Mankato has its own homestead program that offers building lots near a high school, hospital and community shopping center.
The caveat: You must already have been preapproved for a construction loan and have contracted with a builder to begin construction within six months of acquiring the lot.
For more information about Mankato’s homesteading program, contact the City of Mankato at 785-378-3141.
Osborne, Kansas
This small city, located in north-central Kansas, offers residents outdoor recreation opportunities and easy access to major highways. Its free land program provides residential lots in the “Sunset Addition” on the city’s west side, with direct access to Main St.
To qualify, you must have a contract with a builder within six months after your application is approved, and construction must be complete within 12 months. However, you have an additional 12 months to move in. Other requirements include minimum square footage of 1,400, a foundation with a crawlspace or basement and adherence to zoning and Uniform Building Codes.
A $500 deposit is due after you meet with the city and sign the agreement, which will be refunded after you meet the requirements.
Curtis, Nebraska
Home to Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, quality public schools and plenty of activities for adults and kids, Curtis is Frontier County’s only city. As part of its Medicine Valley Economic Development initiative, Curtis is offering free lots to qualified individuals who construct a single-family home within a specific time period. According to the city’s website, the lots are on paved streets with all utilities.
Families with children under 18 might also be eligible for a cash incentive of up to $1,000 when they move to Curtis from another school district and enroll their children in Medicine Valley Public Schools.
Elwood, Nebraska
The Village of Elwood is another small town — population 683 — offering free lots. The land is located near schools, parks and the town pool and is free for the taking with a refundable deposit of $500. The village has everything you need to put down roots, including a variety of professional services and retail businesses, plus lakes and a reservoir for outdoor recreation.
The lot giveaways are part of a homeownership program, so you’ll need to start construction on a primary residence within 12 months and finish construction within two years. Sweetening the deal is Elwood’s down payment assistance program for new construction. Upon completion of your home, the village will reimburse you 10% of construction costs, up to $25,000, as long as all conditions have been met.
Contact the Village of Elwood office at 308-785-2480 for more information.
Flagler, Colorado
Flagler is a small farming and ranching community located 110 miles east of Denver. The town acquired about 480 acres of land with the purchase of three water wells, and it’s offering it to entrepreneurs as an incentive to start or relocate a business there. The amount of land offered to any individual depends on the number of jobs their business will create.
You’ll need significant capital to build your business here, as the land is unimproved and utility build-outs are the recipients’ responsibility. Applicants must submit a detailed business plan along with three years of tax returns, financial information and a credit application. A $10-per-acre deposit is due upon initial approval. The town will then hold a public hearing to allow its roughly 650 residents to weigh in on the proposal.
Requirements To Qualify for Free Land
The cities offering free land have strict eligibility criteria to ensure that their programs benefit the community as well as the participants who receive the land.
- Application process: All programs require that interested individuals fill out an application. Application requirements vary by program.
- Proof of financial capability: Some programs require a construction loan approval or other evidence that you’ll be able to finance your home construction.
- Construction and residency obligations: Homes must meet building codes and and other construction requirements, and programs typically require that lot recipients move into their homes within a specific period of time.
- Income: Some programs might have income requirements or restrictions.
Steps To Acquire Free Land
Unclaimed land — land to which no one has claimed ownership rights — and free-and-clear land doesn’t exist in the United States. However, if you’re willing to build a home or start a business, towns and cities in a handful of states will give you a free lot to build on.
Towns offering this incentive have a number of requirements applicants must meet in order to be approved. Specific requirements vary by town and program, but the following tasks will help you get started.
Researching Available Programs
Research the towns offering free land and decide to which you’d most like to relocate. First, consider affordability — the lot might be free, but you’ll still have to build a house and pay living expenses. Also investigate job opportunities, crime rates and how suitable the climate is for your taste.
Application Process
Each program has its own eligibility criteria and application process. Review the requirements for the program you want to apply to, and gather and submit your documentation.
In Mankato, Kansas, for example, you’ll have to submit personal information, as well as your home plan and proof of construction-loan preapproval.
Building and Development
Free-land programs typically require that you build a home within a certain period of time and that the home meets specific building code and other requirements.
Mankato land recipients must have a contract to begin construction within six months of receiving the land, and the home must be completed within two years after receipt. Construction requirements include a minimum 1,200 square feet and adherence to Uniform Building Codes and National Electric Codes.
Benefits and Challenges of Acquiring Free Land
Understand the benefits and challenges of acquiring free land before you invest time searching for a lot.
Advantages
Here are the benefits of free land:
- Free land reduces the cost of building a home.
- The programs provide opportunities for a fresh start in a new community.
Potential Drawbacks
These potential drawbacks could be deal breakers.
- Lots are usually located in remote locations, where you might have limited amenities and job opportunities.
- You’ll have to meet construction and residency requirements.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some common questions about free land.- Is the land truly free?
- While the land itself may be free, recipients are typically responsible for costs like administrative fees, taxes and construction expenses.
- Can I sell the land after acquiring it?
- Many programs have restrictions to prevent quick resale; often, you must reside on and develop the land for a certain period.
- Are there free land programs in urban areas?
- There have been in the past, like Buffalo, New York's Urban Homestead Program, but GOBankingRates was unable to find an active urban program in March 2025.
Conclusion
The last federal homestead program expired decades ago, but a few communities still offer free land — with conditions. For the right individual, these programs can make it more affordable to build a home, or even start a business, in a new town.
Research programs and locations thoroughly before signing a contract with a city or builder.
Information is accurate as of March 5, 2025.