How many acres are there in one square mile?

One square mile is equivalent to 640 acres. This measurement is derived from understanding that a mile consists of 5,280 feet. To determine how many acres fit into a square mile, you first calculate the area of a square mile in square feet:

1 square mile = 5,280 feet × 5,280 feet = 27,878,400 square feet.

Since an acre is defined as 43,560 square feet, you can find out how many acres are in a square mile by dividing the total square feet in a square mile by the number of square feet per acre:

27,878,400 square feet ÷ 43,560 square feet/acre = 640 acres.

This relationship highlights the importance of understanding both units of area and their conversions, which is fundamental in fields like agribusiness and land management.