<p>The video has a <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2p-HoK9KXEANjIwc3ZjMWI2SWM/view" rel="nofollow noreferrer">transcript</a> with the references. The \$0.25B figure is obtained from <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/louisiana-purchase#" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> (after adjusting for inflation). Unfortunately, the author does not provide a source for the \$1.2B figure. </p>

<p>However, there are estimates of the value of land elsewhere. For example, <a href="https://www.bea.gov/papers/pdf/new-estimates-of-value-of-land-of-the-united-states-larson.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>. Their estimates on a map:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/O49mU.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/O49mU.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>These estimates consider <strong>the value of land only</strong>, removing the value of structures on that land (which, as you say, makes a big difference; see paper). They use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_regression" rel="nofollow noreferrer">hedonic regression</a> methods to separate land and building values (check from page 6 of document). </p>

<p>I leave to you the task to compute the precise value of the Louisiana Purchase. (you could ask them to send you the data on the map).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-16T06:39:53.383Z
2017-08-16T06:45:48.400Z
2017-08-16T06:45:48.400Z
luchonacho
<p>A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-WO-c9xHms" rel="nofollow noreferrer">video</a> I watched claimed (at 6:50) that while only \$0.25B had been paid for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Purchase" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the Louisiana Purchase</a>, the current value was \$1200B (all in 2017 dollars).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/MeNVR.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/MeNVR.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>I couldn't find any references, but assuming the latter number is correct, what might it refer to? </p>

<p>The current value of the land? </p>

<p>The estimated value of the land if all structures and roads were removed? </p>

<p>(It seems to me that these numbers would be vastly different, and comparing empty land to one with infrastructure is comparing apples and oranges)</p>

<value><united-states><land>
Today's value of the Louisiana Purchase?
MWB
# Today's value of the Louisiana Purchase?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-16)

A [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-WO-c9xHms) I watched claimed (at 6:50) that while only \$0.25B had been paid for [the Louisiana Purchase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Purchase), the current value was \$1200B (all in 2017 dollars).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/MeNVR.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/MeNVR.png)

I couldn't find any references, but assuming the latter number is correct, what might it refer to?

The current value of the land?

The estimated value of the land if all structures and roads were removed?

(It seems to me that these numbers would be vastly different, and comparing empty land to one with infrastructure is comparing apples and oranges)

**Tags:** value, united-states, land


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-16. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The video has a [transcript](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2p-HoK9KXEANjIwc3ZjMWI2SWM/view) with the references. The \$0.25B figure is obtained from [here](http://www.history.com/topics/louisiana-purchase#) (after adjusting for inflation). Unfortunately, the author does not provide a source for the \$1.2B figure.

However, there are estimates of the value of land elsewhere. For example, [here](https://www.bea.gov/papers/pdf/new-estimates-of-value-of-land-of-the-united-states-larson.pdf). Their estimates on a map:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/O49mU.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/O49mU.png)

These estimates consider **the value of land only**, removing the value of structures on that land (which, as you say, makes a big difference; see paper). They use [hedonic regression](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_regression) methods to separate land and building values (check from page 6 of document).

I leave to you the task to compute the precise value of the Louisiana Purchase. (you could ask them to send you the data on the map).


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