Shelby County, Indiana
2024 Land Sales Report

According to Land.com, there were nearly 1,000 acres of land listed for sale in Shelby County, Indiana, with a total value of around $22 million on Land.com. While it doesn’t rank among the top counties for land on the market—coming in at 71st out of Indiana’s 92 counties—it still offers some solid opportunities. The majority of listings were around Shelbyville, which had the most land available. Located in Central Indiana, Shelby County spans about 412 square miles, making it the 35th largest county in the state.

The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that Shelby County has 548 farms, covering around 209,675 acres, with nearly 199,029 acres dedicated to cropland, plus pasture, woodland, and other farm-related uses. Farms in the county average about 383 acres, placing them among the larger operations in Indiana. Agriculture in Shelby County is heavily focused on crop production–making up 97% of farm income, while livestock and related products account for the remaining 3%. Conservation practices are increasingly common on Shelby County farms, with 46% using no-till, 26% employing reduced till, 22% practicing intensive tillage, and 8% planting cover crops to preserve soil health and reduce erosion. The county’s top crops are nearly equal in acreage: about 95,653 acres of soybeans and 33,761 acres of corn, with smaller plantings of wheat and hay to support rotational systems and livestock feed. Overall, Shelby County’s agriculture is marked by large-scale, efficient crop operations that are gradually integrating sustainable practices to ensure long-term productivity and environmental responsibility.

Overview of Shelby County Agriculture

Location and Geography: Shelby County is located in Central Indiana, just southeast of Indianapolis. The county features mostly flat to gently rolling farmland, with the Big Blue River and Sugar Creek running through it, supporting rich agricultural soils and rural landscapes.

Major Crops:

1. Corn: widely grown across the county and is primarily used for livestock feed, ethanol production, and food products.
2. Soybeans: another dominant crop, valued for their versatility in food processing, livestock feed, and industrial uses.
3. Wheat: also cultivated in Shelby County, often as a rotational crop that supports soil health and provides grain for both local and commercial markets.

Shelby County supports a robust agricultural sector with approximately 548 farms managing around 210,000 acres, nearly 199,000 of which are cropland–making it one of the larger farming counties in Indiana. These farms average about 383 acres, and crop production accounts for 97% of agricultural income, with corn and soybeans being the dominant field crops and smaller acreage devoted to wheat for rotation. Conservation practices are widely embraced: close to 46% of farms report no-till, another 26% use reduced tillage, and 8% include cover crops, underscoring a strong commitment to soil health and sustainable management strategies.

Although Shelby County isn’t among Indiana’s top-ranked counties in terms of land listings–it currently ranks around the lower third statewide for acreage on the market–roughly 1,000 acres are consistently available. Most of those listing’s cluster around Shelbyville, the county seat, where farmland and rural properties attract both local farmers and investors eyeing productive fields. The steady but selective demand reflects the county’s fertile soils, large field sizes, and the potential for development in well-located parcels, especially near expanding communities.

History & Background of Shelby County, Indiana

County Seat: Shelbyville

Townships: Addison / Brandywine / Hanover / Hendericks / Jackson / Liberty / Marion / Moral / Noble / Shelby / Sugar Creek / Union / Van Buren / Washington

History: Established in 1821; Named after General Isaac Shelby, Kentucky’s first governor and a Revolutionary War hero.

Population: 45,231

Cities & Towns: Fairland / Morristown / St. Paul / Edinburgh

Acreage: 262,000

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Shelby County, Indiana.

The 2022 Ag Census for Shelby County, Indiana, reported the following crop statistics: