Clay County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Clay County saw land values trend upward once more in 2024, though early 2025 data points to a market beginning to settle.
If you’d like to get specific land values on your own property or a farm near you for 2025, please contact Matt Rhodes at (217) 251-7067 or Kyle Ogden at (217) 369-3306.
Request a Land Values ReportAverage Price of Land*
$10,485/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $14,030/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $10,485/acre and the price per productivity index point was $106.94 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $14,030 per acre.
Since 1977, the Geswein Farm & Land Team has been advising landowners to be stewards of the land and make decisions based on most current, accurate, and relevant data. The information in this report can provide you with a rough estimate of your property’s value; however, understanding the specific characteristics of your property and how they compare to the other sales will provide the most accurate value of your property. Additionally, properties sold by land brokers via auctions or listings consistently outperformed individual to individual transactions and properties sold by traditional home realtors.
By The Numbers
According to Land.com, Clay County currently has about 4,616 acres of farms, rural land, hunting ground, and other property listed for sale. That puts it 49th in Illinois for the total number of acres available among all counties. Clay City tops the list within the county for having the most land on the market. The local economy is driven mainly by manufacturing and related services. Covering 469 square miles, Clay County is the 60th largest in Illinois and sits in the Southern Illinois region.
The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that Clay County has nearly 671 farms covering about 227,457 acres of farmland. Most of that land is cropland–about 187,059 acres–with smaller portions dedicated to pasture (4,078 acres) and woodland (29,461 acres). Livestock farming is also significant, with nearly 97,700 hogs, 4,300 cattle and calves, and modest numbers of layers, broilers, and sheep reported.
Overview of Clay County Agriculture
Location and Geography: Clay County, Illinois, sits in the southern part of the state, bordered by Richland, Wayne, Marion, Fayette, and Jasper counties. The county features gently rolling farmland, interspersed with woodlands and small creeks, creating a landscape well-suited for both agriculture and outdoor recreation.
Major Crops:
- Corn: dominant crop in Clay County, thriving in the county’s fertile soils and serving as a key driver of the local agricultural economy.
- Soybeans: widely grown, benefiting from the regions moderate climate and providing both domestic and export market opportunities.
Clay County, Illinois, has a strong agricultural presence, with fertile soils and a climate well-suited for high-yield crop production. Corn and soybeans dominate the county’s farmland, with many operations employing modern farming practices and technology to maximize efficiency and output. Family farms, often passed down through generations, make up a significant portion of the agricultural landscape, contributing to both the local economy and the county’s rural character. Livestock production, while not as prominent as row crops, also plays a role in diversifying farm income.
The farmland market in Clay County remains active, driven by both local farmers looking to expand their operations and outside investors drawn to the area’s consistent production potential. Demand is supported by the reliability of the land to produce strong yields year after year, making it a sought-after asset for long-term investment. Competition for available acreage can be strong, especially for parcels with high-quality soils and good access to transportation routes, ensuring agriculture continues to be a central pillar of the county’s economy and land use.
History & Background of Clay County, Illinois
County Seat: Louisville
Townships: Bible Grove / Blair / Clay City / Harter / Hoosier / Larkinsburg / Louisville / Oskaloosa / Pixley / Songer / Stanford / Xenia
History: Established in 1824; Named in honor of the statesman Henry Clay.
Population: 13,815
Cities & Towns: Flora / Clay City / Iola / Louisville / Sailor Springs / Xenia
Acreage: 300,332
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Clay County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for Clay County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 671
Land in farms (acres): 227,457
Average farm size (acres): 339
Total market value of products sold: $168,925,000
Government payments: $3,428,000
Farm-related income: $9,922,000
Total farm production expenses: $130,127,000
Net cash farm income: $52,147,000
Sources / Citations:
Source 1:
“United States Department of Agriculture.” USDA, www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Illinois/Publications/County_Estimates/index.php#:~:text=Access%20Quick%20Stats%20Lite,to%20NASS%20Surveys%20and%20Programs. Accessed 2 July 2025.
Source 2:
“USDA.” 2022 Census of Agriculture County Profile, www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Illinois/cp17025.pdf. Accessed 2 July 2025.
*The transaction and land sales data/information contained in this report was obtained from publicly available sources and sales disclosures deemed accurate and reliable but not guaranteed, no liability for accuracy, errors or omissions is assumed by Geswein Farm & Land Realty, LLC
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