Benton County, Indiana
2025 Land Sales Report

Benton County, Indiana remains a leader in Indiana agriculture with high land values, strong crop yields, and a market dominated by large, family-owned farms. Farmland values continue to rise, supported by record crop yields, investor interest, and demand outpacing supply despite the broader pressure from high interest rates.

Farmland Values and Market Activity

• Benton County average farmland prices in 2025 are reported near $15,205/acre, with some listings above $16,000/acre as of recent real estate transactions and surveys.​
• Land values continue to climb, rising 3–5% in the past year for top-quality tracts, even as commodity prices face pressure statewide.​
• Farmland market activity remains moderate, with approximately 1,000 acres listed in the past year, ranking 90th statewide, but concentrated activity near Otterbein.​
• Modern features (pattern tile, pivot irrigation, wind turbines) and proximity to grain markets and dairy operations further enhance Benton acreage values and productivity for row crops and alfalfa hay.

Production and Crop Performance

• Benton County led Indiana in 2024 for corn and soybean yields, with 229.7 bushels/acre for corn and 72 bushels/acre for soybeans, among the top in the state and the region.​
• Corn and soybeans are the main crops, supporting both high gross product value and consistent market income for local farmers.
• The USDA Ag Census counts around 390 farms operating 226,260 acres, with an average farm size of 580 acres, which supports efficiency in large-scale cropping systems.​

Agricultural Economics and Demographics

• The local agricultural economy generates roughly $298 million in annual product sales, $1.5 million in government payments, and $118 million in net cash farm income.​
• Most Benton County farms are family-owned, with generational succession and community ties shaping business decisions and resilience.
• Economic trends: The unemployment rate is low (3.2% in 2025), median income stands at ~$33,912, and the county population is roughly 8,945. Employment growth is modest, consistent with the wider region.​

Other Drivers of Value

• Soil quality, water availability, and climate conditions help maintain high productivity indexes (WAPI/NCCPI), sustaining crop yields and farm profitability.
• Regulations, zoning, and conservation programs affect future development and alternative land uses, sometimes enhancing recreational or non-agricultural land values.
• Interest rates and commodity price shifts influence investment returns and buyer competition. Despite recent interest rate hikes, strong farmland demand has kept prices high.

Notable Trends

• Benton County’s competitive yields and modern infrastructure (including rail and highways) drive value beyond purely agricultural production.
• Investors are increasingly attracted to Benton County farms due to both agricultural potential and stable returns compared to alternatives.
• Production costs, input prices, and crop values will remain critical in shaping near-future profitability.
• Local Author and Award winning farmland advisor and broker, Johnny Klemme’s new book American Family Farmland, hit the #1 Amazon Bestseller list in 2025 for Agriculture Books.
  • The book “American Family Farmland” receives positive reviews and feedback online, especially for its guidance to families inheriting farmland and navigating both financial and emotional decisions tied to those assets.
    Main Themes and Strengths • The book is described as more than a technical guide—it emphasizes the values, emotional complexities, and legacy issues of owning and transitioning family farmland assets. • Readers highlight its practical advice, story-driven examples, and step-by-step frameworks for managing family transitions, avoiding conflict, and fostering healthy long-term conversations.
    Overall, this landowners guide to inheriting the family farm is recommended for farm families and professionals seeking a thoughtful, accessible guide to inheritance, emotional dynamics, and successful planning for multi-generational land stewardship.

These factors combine to make Benton County one of Indiana’s standout agricultural regions—highly productive, competitive on land values, and central to the state’s farm economy.