With some of the most fertile soil in the nation, Illinois attracts both local and institutional interest. Land values in Illinois not only reflect statewide supply and demand but also serve as a benchmark for industry wide agriculture trends.
Illinois saw a slowing of farm sales in 2023 and 2024 after a euphoric 2021 and 2022. Both the Growers Edge Farmland Valuation Index (GEFVI) and NASS show values peaking in early 2024 in Illinois. According to our data, Illinois land values are down 4.2 percent from that peak and up 2.1 percent from a dip in Q3.
As of Q4, 2024, the top five IL counties by average farmland value per acre are as follows:
Illinois Top 5 Farmland Counties
County Value / Acre, Q4 2024
- Moultrie County $15,851.13
- Morgan County $15,546.77
- Douglas County $15,276.08
- Warren County $15,179.11
- Sangamon County $15,052.26
Illinois Bottom 5 Farmland Counties
County Value / Acre, Q4 2024
- Cook County $5,446.08
- Perry County $6,885.1
- Johnson County $7,545.77
- Lake County $7,559.39
- Williamson County $,8133.02
Farmland values in Illinois remain well above long-term averages, but county-level trends show increasing separation between premium cropland and underperforming land. As price momentum shifts, localized insights like these become even more critical.
At Farmland Intel, we analyze real-time data to help investors, operators, and lenders stay ahead of trends. To look further into historical trends and valuations drivers for Illinois farmland, explore this page.
