Iroquois County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Iroquois County land prices continued to rise through 2024, though signs suggest the market may be leveling off as 2025 unfolds.
If you’d like to get specific land values on your own property or a farm near you for 2025, please contact Jeremy Thompson today at (815) 351-5572
Average Price of Land*
$11,329/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $14,192/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $13,329/acre and the price per productivity index point was $93.00 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $14,192 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 $8 million worth of land—covering roughly 1,000 acres—was listed for sale in Iroquois County, Illinois. That puts the county 61st in the state for the total amount of land currently on the market. The most listings were found in and around Watseka. Agriculture plays a central role in the local economy, with the most recent U.S. Census reporting over 1,400 farms in the county. These farms bring in around $50 million in revenue each year, with the majority coming from crop production. Covering 1,119 square miles, Iroquois County is one of the ten largest counties in Illinois and sits in the heart of Central Illinois.
According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, Iroquois Couty is a premier farming region, featuring 1,544 farms covering 669,168 acres of farmland, of which 637,185 acres are planted cropland – a striking example of its intense agricultural use. Livestock operations are robust, with over 97,000 hogs and 14,000 cattle, alongside poultry and sheep. Row crop production dominates with farms here remaining largely family-run – about 88% are family-operated – averaging around 400 acres per farm with harvested cropland representing over 92% of total farm acres. The data highlight both the scale and intensity of modern agriculture in what’s known as the “Buckle of the Corn Belt.”
Overview of Iroquois County Agriculture
Location and Geography: Iroquois County is located in east-central Illinois along the Indiana state line, making it one of the largest counties by land area in the state. The county features broad, flat prairies with some gently rolling areas and is drained by the Iroquois River and its tributaries. Its rich glacial soils—mainly silty clay and loam—make it highly suitable for large-scale row crop farming. The landscape is predominantly rural and agricultural, with small towns scattered throughout the county.
Major Crops:
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Wheat/Alfalfa
Agriculture is the backbone of Iroquois County’s economy, with family-owned and increasingly large-scale farming operations managing vast acreages of productive land. Corn and soybean farming dominates due to the region’s deep, well-drained soils and a climate ideal for Midwestern crop production. Many farmers employ precision agriculture techniques, conservation practices, and modern machinery to stay competitive. Additionally, the area benefits from its proximity to grain elevators, rail lines, and processing facilities, which support efficient distribution and export of crops.
The land market in Iroquois County remains active, with farmland typically selling at strong per-acre values due to its productivity and investment appeal. While land prices can fluctuate with commodity markets, Iroquois County continues to attract both local and outside buyers looking for high-quality farmland. Compared to more urbanized counties, land here remains relatively affordable, making it attractive for expansion and long-term investment. Demand for land remains steady, especially as generational farm transitions and investment interest increase across rural Illinois.
History & Background of Iroquois County, Illinois
County Seat: Watseka
Townships: Artesia / Ash Grove / Ashkum / Beaver / Beaverville / Belmont / Chebanse / Concord / Crescent / Danforth / Douglas / Fountain Creek / Iroquois / Loda / Lovejoy / Martinton / Middleport / Milford / Milks Grove / Onarga / Papineau / Pigeon / Prairie Green / Ridgeland / Sheldon / Stockland
History: Founded in 1833, named after the Iroquois people
Population: 26,067
Cities & Towns: Ashkum / Beaverville / Buckley / Cissna Park / Clifton / Crescent City / Danforth / Donovan / Fountain Creek / Gilman / Hallock / Iroquois / Loda / Martinton / Milford / Onarga / Papineau / Sheldon / Stockland / Thawville / Watseka / Wellington / Woodland
Acreage: 714,880
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Iroquois County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for Iroquois County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 1,544
Land in farms (acres): 669,168
Average farm size (acres): 433
Total market value of products sold: $772,064,000
Government payments: $9,065,000
Farm-related income: $31,925,000
Total farm production expenses: $482,539,000
Net cash farm income: $330,514,000
Sources / Citations:
Source 1:
“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.
Source 2:
“USDA.” 2022 Census of Agriculture County Profile, www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Illinois/cp17075.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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