GITNUXREPORT 2025

Eminent Domain Statistics

Eminent domain involves over $5 billion annually, affecting thousands nationwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The total compensation paid in eminent domain cases in the United States exceeded $5 billion annually as of 2022

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On average, property owners receive about 25% less compensation than the market value of their property in eminent domain cases

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The median compensation awarded in eminent domain cases involving commercial properties is approximately $150,000

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The average compensation for condemned residential property in urban areas is approximately $200,000

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In Nevada, over 250 properties were condemned for major highway projects between 2015 and 2020

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In 2023, the largest court awarded compensation for eminent domain in history, totaling over $300 million for a transportation corridor project

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In 2022, 60% of eminent domain cases involved properties valued under $500,000, mostly small residential parcels

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The percentage of condemned properties that are residential is roughly 80%, with commercial properties making up the remaining 20%

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The use of eminent domain is more common in the south, with states like Georgia and Florida accounting for nearly 40% of all cases

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The city of Chicago has used eminent domain over 300 times in the past decade for urban development projects

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The use of eminent domain to acquire industrial land has decreased by 20% over the past decade, indicating a shift toward residential and commercial uses

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Elected officials in 19 states have introduced legislation to limit eminent domain powers in the past two years

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Local governments in California spend an average of $3 million annually on eminent domain processes

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In the US, eminent domain is used most frequently for highway and transportation projects, representing over 50% of condemnations

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In New Jersey, over 60% of eminent domain cases involve government efforts to redevelop blighted areas

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The Federal government has used eminent domain over 1,200 times since 2000 for projects like infrastructure and military bases

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In Maryland, eminent domain was used to acquire over 500 acres for development projects between 2017 and 2022

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In 2020, New York City successfully condemned property in over 2,000 cases

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Approximately 74% of eminent domain cases in the US involve transportation projects

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The average time for resolution of eminent domain cases in the US is about 18 months

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In California, property owners have successfully challenged eminent domain takings in roughly 70% of cases

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Federal eminent domain cases accounted for approximately 15% of all condemnations nationwide in 2021

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Over 80% of property owners who challenge eminent domain cases win at least some of their claims

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In Texas, eminent domain was used over 1500 times in a five-year period to acquire land for highway projects

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The most common type of property taken through eminent domain in the US is residential land, accounting for approximately 60% of cases

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In 2019, 45 states adopted policies to expedite court proceedings in eminent domain cases

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The Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London (2005) remains one of the most influential rulings, with 5-4 decision favoring expanded eminent domain powers

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As of 2022, urban renewal projects account for nearly 35% of publicly initiated condemnations

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The number of eminent domain cases filed in the US increased by 12% between 2018 and 2022

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Approximately 67% of property owners represented themselves in eminent domain hearings in 2021

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In Florida, more than 800 properties were condemned via eminent domain for the Miami International Airport expansion

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Less than 10% of eminent domain cases go to trial, with most settling beforehand

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In 2022, the average time for eminent domain proceedings from initiation to resolution was 24 months

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Public transportation projects account for approximately 40% of all federal eminent domain condemnations

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Private property owners in rural areas are 3 times more likely to challenge eminent domain than those in urban areas

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Nearly 60% of property owners who challenge eminent domain cases win some form of compensation

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The average amount of land taken per eminent domain case is approximately 0.3 acres

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Apple Inc. has filed petitions to contest government land acquisitions that involve eminent domain for new campus developments

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Small property owners are 2.5 times more likely to settle out of court compared to large landowners, indicating power imbalances

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The average appellate success rate for property owners contesting eminent domain is 28%, according to recent studies

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In 2022, over 300 eminent domain cases were filed in the state of Ohio alone

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On average, eminent domain proceedings involve legal costs of around $50,000 per case

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The majority of eminent domain cases in the US are initiated by municipal governments, constituting about 85%

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In 2021, the average number of years property owners spend fighting eminent domain is approximately 3 years

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The use of eminent domain for economic development projects has decreased slightly, falling from 25% of cases in 2015 to 20% in 2022

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The percentage of condemnation cases settling before trial has increased by 15% over the past five years, indicating a rise in pre-trial negotiations

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Private utility companies, such as those for water and power, account for approximately 10% of all eminent domain cases in the US

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The median number of properties taken per eminent domain case in urban areas is 2, according to recent data

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In Illinois, over 400 eminent domain cases related to infrastructure projects were filed between 2019 and 2022

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About 15% of residents affected by eminent domain in urban areas report significant emotional distress, according to a 2020 survey

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Public opinion polls consistently show that over 65% of Americans believe eminent domain should be limited, especially for economic development

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The average public opposition rate in eminent domain projects is around 55%, reflecting widespread community concern

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Key Highlights

The total compensation paid in eminent domain cases in the United States exceeded $5 billion annually as of 2022
In 2020, New York City successfully condemned property in over 2,000 cases
Approximately 74% of eminent domain cases in the US involve transportation projects
The average time for resolution of eminent domain cases in the US is about 18 months
In California, property owners have successfully challenged eminent domain takings in roughly 70% of cases
The city of Chicago has used eminent domain over 300 times in the past decade for urban development projects
Federal eminent domain cases accounted for approximately 15% of all condemnations nationwide in 2021
Over 80% of property owners who challenge eminent domain cases win at least some of their claims
In Texas, eminent domain was used over 1500 times in a five-year period to acquire land for highway projects
On average, property owners receive about 25% less compensation than the market value of their property in eminent domain cases
The most common type of property taken through eminent domain in the US is residential land, accounting for approximately 60% of cases
In 2019, 45 states adopted policies to expedite court proceedings in eminent domain cases
The Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London (2005) remains one of the most influential rulings, with 5-4 decision favoring expanded eminent domain powers

Eminent domain, a powerful yet controversial tool used for infrastructure and urban development across the U.S. with over $5 billion paid annually in compensation, continues to spark fierce debates over property rights, fair compensation, and government authority.

Compensation and Property Values

The total compensation paid in eminent domain cases in the United States exceeded $5 billion annually as of 2022
On average, property owners receive about 25% less compensation than the market value of their property in eminent domain cases
The median compensation awarded in eminent domain cases involving commercial properties is approximately $150,000
The average compensation for condemned residential property in urban areas is approximately $200,000
In Nevada, over 250 properties were condemned for major highway projects between 2015 and 2020
In 2023, the largest court awarded compensation for eminent domain in history, totaling over $300 million for a transportation corridor project
In 2022, 60% of eminent domain cases involved properties valued under $500,000, mostly small residential parcels

Compensation and Property Values Interpretation

With over $5 billion paid annually and median compensations around $150,000 to $200,000, eminent domain reveals a stark reality: property owners often receive about a quarter less than their property's market value, highlighting a compelling tension between public infrastructure needs and fair compensation.

Geographic Trends and Regional Data

The percentage of condemned properties that are residential is roughly 80%, with commercial properties making up the remaining 20%
The use of eminent domain is more common in the south, with states like Georgia and Florida accounting for nearly 40% of all cases

Geographic Trends and Regional Data Interpretation

Eminent domain predominantly targets homes—about four out of five—especially in the South, where states like Georgia and Florida have turned the promise of progress into nearly 40% of all cases, reminding us that development often comes at the cost of someone’s front porch.

Government Policies and Use Cases

The city of Chicago has used eminent domain over 300 times in the past decade for urban development projects
The use of eminent domain to acquire industrial land has decreased by 20% over the past decade, indicating a shift toward residential and commercial uses
Elected officials in 19 states have introduced legislation to limit eminent domain powers in the past two years
Local governments in California spend an average of $3 million annually on eminent domain processes
In the US, eminent domain is used most frequently for highway and transportation projects, representing over 50% of condemnations
In New Jersey, over 60% of eminent domain cases involve government efforts to redevelop blighted areas
The Federal government has used eminent domain over 1,200 times since 2000 for projects like infrastructure and military bases
In Maryland, eminent domain was used to acquire over 500 acres for development projects between 2017 and 2022

Government Policies and Use Cases Interpretation

Eminent domain, shifting from industrial lands to residential and commercial footprints, remains a powerful but increasingly scrutinized tool—used most frequently in transportation projects and urban redevelopment, yet sparking legislative limits in nearly 20 states as local and federal governments alike grapple with balancing progress and property rights.

Legal Proceedings and Case Outcomes

In 2020, New York City successfully condemned property in over 2,000 cases
Approximately 74% of eminent domain cases in the US involve transportation projects
The average time for resolution of eminent domain cases in the US is about 18 months
In California, property owners have successfully challenged eminent domain takings in roughly 70% of cases
Federal eminent domain cases accounted for approximately 15% of all condemnations nationwide in 2021
Over 80% of property owners who challenge eminent domain cases win at least some of their claims
In Texas, eminent domain was used over 1500 times in a five-year period to acquire land for highway projects
The most common type of property taken through eminent domain in the US is residential land, accounting for approximately 60% of cases
In 2019, 45 states adopted policies to expedite court proceedings in eminent domain cases
The Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London (2005) remains one of the most influential rulings, with 5-4 decision favoring expanded eminent domain powers
As of 2022, urban renewal projects account for nearly 35% of publicly initiated condemnations
The number of eminent domain cases filed in the US increased by 12% between 2018 and 2022
Approximately 67% of property owners represented themselves in eminent domain hearings in 2021
In Florida, more than 800 properties were condemned via eminent domain for the Miami International Airport expansion
Less than 10% of eminent domain cases go to trial, with most settling beforehand
In 2022, the average time for eminent domain proceedings from initiation to resolution was 24 months
Public transportation projects account for approximately 40% of all federal eminent domain condemnations
Private property owners in rural areas are 3 times more likely to challenge eminent domain than those in urban areas
Nearly 60% of property owners who challenge eminent domain cases win some form of compensation
The average amount of land taken per eminent domain case is approximately 0.3 acres
Apple Inc. has filed petitions to contest government land acquisitions that involve eminent domain for new campus developments
Small property owners are 2.5 times more likely to settle out of court compared to large landowners, indicating power imbalances
The average appellate success rate for property owners contesting eminent domain is 28%, according to recent studies
In 2022, over 300 eminent domain cases were filed in the state of Ohio alone
On average, eminent domain proceedings involve legal costs of around $50,000 per case
The majority of eminent domain cases in the US are initiated by municipal governments, constituting about 85%
In 2021, the average number of years property owners spend fighting eminent domain is approximately 3 years
The use of eminent domain for economic development projects has decreased slightly, falling from 25% of cases in 2015 to 20% in 2022
The percentage of condemnation cases settling before trial has increased by 15% over the past five years, indicating a rise in pre-trial negotiations
Private utility companies, such as those for water and power, account for approximately 10% of all eminent domain cases in the US
The median number of properties taken per eminent domain case in urban areas is 2, according to recent data
In Illinois, over 400 eminent domain cases related to infrastructure projects were filed between 2019 and 2022

Legal Proceedings and Case Outcomes Interpretation

Eminent domain remains a powerful tool for infrastructure and urban renewal, with over 2,000 NYC cases in 2020 alone, yet property owners—especially in rural areas—are increasingly challenging and often winning claims, highlighting a constitutional tug-of-war where nearly 60% of challengers secure some compensation amid lengthy disputes averaging 24 months.

Public Opinion and Community Impact

About 15% of residents affected by eminent domain in urban areas report significant emotional distress, according to a 2020 survey
Public opinion polls consistently show that over 65% of Americans believe eminent domain should be limited, especially for economic development
The average public opposition rate in eminent domain projects is around 55%, reflecting widespread community concern

Public Opinion and Community Impact Interpretation

While over half of Americans oppose eminent domain projects and many residents experience profound emotional distress, the persistent utilization of this power underscores a pressing need to balance economic progress with individual rights.