New York → Fulton

Fulton County, New York

Pasture here rented for $127 an acre in 2026, $104.75 above the New York median of $22.25. That's the 97th percentile among the 16 New York counties reporting that year, and the highest nationally.

The record, computed from 3 archived USDA survey years, 2016–2026
too few years on record to draw a fair trend; the table below has what exists
as of 2026-10-012026 surveymethodcompare your own rate

Put that in lease terms. On a quarter section of 160 acres, the gap between this county and the state median is $16,760 a year. A difference that looks small per acre is large at that scale.

Across New York's counties, the middle half of county averages in 2026 runs $17.75 to $35.25 an acre. Individual leases spread wider than county averages do, because grass, water, fencing and term length all move the price. An offer far outside this band should come with a reason the other side can say out loud.

Since 2016, this county's rate has risen 408 percent: $25 then, $127 in 2026. A lease left alone over that stretch has been repricing itself by default.

The counties next door

The comparison made at the kitchen table is with the neighbors. This year, rates across the county line go from $18.50 to $40 an acre. Every bordering county NASS tracks is listed at its most recent published rate.

County$/acre
Herkimer$40
Montgomery$18.50
Saratoga$12 (2022)

Every year on record

Year$/acre
2016$25
2017$21.50
2026$127

This page prints clean from your browser. Take it to the table.

Planned: the Fulton County negotiation packet. A one-page brief to hand across the table, lease terms as ranchers contribute them (water, fencing, maintenance, term length) and the stocking-rate bridge between dollars per acre and per-head rates. The rates, the history and the neighbors table above stay free. What's free today.

Holding an offer for Fulton County ground? Compare it with this benchmark in your browser. Your numbers never leave this device.