Fayette County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Fayette County land prices increased again in 2024, but the upward trend seems to be moderating as the market moves into 2025.
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*
$8,376/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $10,695/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $8,376/acre and the price per productivity index point was $80.48 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $10,695 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, about $9 million worth of land—covering around 1,000 acres—was listed for sale in Fayette County, Illinois. The county ranks 54th in the state when it comes to the total amount of land currently on the market. Vandalia stands out as the area with the most farms, hunting land, and other rural properties available for sale. Fayette County is pretty sizable too, ranking as the 22nd largest county in Illinois with an area of 725 square miles, and it’s located right in the heart of Central Illinois.
The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that Fayette County, Illinois, encompasses 328,888 acres of farmland across 1,122 farms, with an average farm size of 293 acres. The county’s agricultural landscape is predominantly cropland, comprising 79% of the total land in farms, followed by woodland at 12%, pastureland at 5%, and other uses at 4%. The primary crops cultivate are soybeans and corn, with soybean acreage at 131,159 acres and corn for grain at 101,614 acres. Livestock production includes 22,959 hogs and pigs, 13,867 cattle and calves, 7,178 layers, and 1,467 sheep and lambs. The market value of agricultural products sold in the county totals $76.4 million, with crop sales accounting for 88% of this value.
Overview of Fayette County Agriculture
Location and Geography: Fayette County is located in the southern part of Central Illinois and covers about 725 square miles. The county features mostly flat to gently rolling farmland, making it well-suited for agriculture.
Major Crops:
- Corn: a key crop in Fayette County, widely grown for grain and livestock feed.
- Soybeans: extensively cultivated and play a major role in the county’s agricultural economy.
- Wheat: often used as part of crop rotation to maintain soil health and diversify production.
Fayette County, Illinois, has a strong agricultural sector focused mainly on row crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. The county had over 1,100 farms covering more than 320,000 acres, with an average farm size close to 300 acres. Livestock farming—including hogs, cattle, and poultry—is also an important part of the local agricultural economy. Even though the number of farms has decreased slightly in recent years, overall agricultural production has increased, showing greater productivity per farm.
Demand for farmland in Fayette County remains steady, supported by the county’s fertile soils and well-established farming community. While the exact amount of land currently for sale isn’t specified, the agricultural infrastructure and active market in the area keep interest in farmland strong. This steady demand highlights Fayette County’s important role as an agricultural center in Central Illinois.
History & Background of Fayette County, Illinois
County Seat: Vandalia
Townships: Avena / Bear Grove / Bowling Green / Carson / Hurricane / Kaskaskia / La Clede / Lone Grove / Loudon / Otego / Pope / Ramsey / Sefton / Seminary / Shafter / Sharon / South Hurricane / Vandalia / Wheatland / Wilberton
History: Established in 1821; Named for Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolutionary War.
Population: 21,164
Cities & Towns: Vandalia / St. Elmo / Bingham / Brownstown / Farina / Ramsey / St. Peter / La Clede / Avena / Augsburg / Bayle City / Bluff City / Confidence / Dressor / Hagarstown / Loogootee / Pittsburg / Saint James / Saint Paul / Shafter / Shobonier / Vera
Acreage: 464,000
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Fayette County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for Fayette County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 1,122
Land in farms (acres): 328,888
Average farm size (acres): 293
Total market value of products sold: $247,287,000
Government payments: $4,724,000
Farm-related income: $15,791,000
Total farm production expenses: $176,554,000
Net cash farm income: $91,248,000
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/cp17051.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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