Champaign County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Champaign County experienced another year of steady land appreciation in 2024, though current indicators in 2025 show a possible leveling of prices.
If you’d like to get specific land values on your own property or a farm near you for 2025, please contact Matt Rhodes today at (217) 251-7067
Average Price of Land*
$13,512/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $19,219/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $13,512/acre and the price per productivity index point was $96.57 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $19,219 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, nearly $73 million worth of farms, rural land, hunting property, and other acreage was listed for sale in Champaign County, covering about 2,000 acres. That ranks the county 14th out of Illinois’ 102 counties for the amount of land currently on the market. Within the county, Urbana had the most listings for farms and rural land. Covering 998 square miles, Champaign County is one of the largest counties in Illinois and sits right in the heart of central Illinois.
According to the USDA farmland census, Champaign County, Illinois, is a major agricultural hub with over 600,000 acres of farmland dedicated primarily to row crops such as corn and soybeans. The county boasts some of the most productive soils in the nation, contributing to consistently high yields and robust farm incomes. The average farm size has been steadily increasing, reflecting trends toward larger, more efficient operations. Additionally, conservation practices like cover cropping and nutrient management are increasingly adopted by farms to maintain soil health and sustainability. Overall, Champaign County remains a vital part of Illinois’ agricultural economy, balancing intensive crop production with growing environmental stewardship.
Overview of Champaign County Agriculture
Location and Geography: Champaign County is located in east central Illinois, bordered by Vermilion County to the east and Piatt County to the west. It lies within the rich agricultural region of the Midwest known as the Corn Belt. The county features predominantly flat to gently rolling terrain with fertile, silty loam soils that have made it one of the most productive farming areas in the country.
Major Crops:
- Corn
- Soybeans
Champaign County’s agriculture is characterized by large-scale, highly mechanized row crop farming operations that benefit from some of the most fertile soils in the Midwest. The county is home to a diverse agricultural economy, including grain production, livestock operations, and ag-related industries such as seed companies and crop research facilities – largely influenced by the presence of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This combination of resources promotes continual advancements in farming technology and crop genetics, helping farmers maintain high yields and efficient production.
The land market in Champaign County is competitive, reflecting the county’s reputation for productive farmland and strong agricultural infrastructure. Farmland values have remained robust due to steady demand from both local farmers looking to expand and outside investors attracted to the reliable returns associated with high-quality row crop land. Despite fluctuations in commodity prices, the county’s farmland remains a valuable long-term investment, supported by a well-established agricultural community and access to key markets through major transportation networks.
History & Background of Champaign County, Illinois
County Seat: Urbana
Townships: Ayers / Brown / Champaign / Colfax / Compromise / Condit / Crittenden / Cunningham / East Bend / Harwood / Hensley / Kerr / Ludlow / Mahomet / Newcomb / Ogden / Pesotum / Philo / Rantoul / Raymond / Sadorus / Scott / Sidney / Somer / South Homer / St. Joseph / Stanton / Tolono / Urbana
History: Founded in 1833, previously a part of Vermilion County
Population: 212,374
Cities & Towns: Bondville / Broadlands / Champaign / Fisher / Foosland / Gifford / Homer / Ivesdale / Lake of the Woods / Longview / Ludlow / Mahomet / Ogden / Pesotum / Philo / Rantoul / Royal / Sadorus / Saint Joseph / Savoy / Sidney / Thomasboro / Tolona / Urbana
Acreage: 637,440
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Champaign County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for Champaign County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 1,330
Land in farms (acres): 545,674
Average farm size (acres): 410
Total market value of products sold: $583,087,000
Government payments: $3,722,000
Farm-related income: $19,178,000
Total farm production expenses: $362,723,000
Net cash farm income: $243,265,000
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 16 June 2025.
Source 2:
“USDA.” 2022 Census of Agriculture County Profile, www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Illinos/cp17019.pdf. Accessed 16 June 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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