Johnson County, Indiana
2024 Land Sales Report

According to Land.com, nearly 1,000 acres of land went up for sale in Johnson County, Indiana, including everything from farms to hunting land and other rural properties. That puts Johnson County in the top 10 among Indiana’s 92 counties for the most acreage currently on the market. Greenwood stood out as the area with the most land listed for sale. Two properties in the county also sold through the Land Network Comparable Sales Program. Located in Central Indiana, Johnson County covers about 321 square miles, making it the 76th largest county in the state.

The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that Johnson County has about 520 farms managing about 122,228 acres, with around 113,578 acres of that dedicated to cropland and the rest in pasture, woodland, and miscellaneous uses. The average farm size was approximately 235 acres, and agriculture here is overwhelmingly crop-based–about 96% of farm income comes from crops, with livestock and related activities making up the remaining 4%. Farmers in Johnson County are increasingly turning to soil-friendly practices: around 20% use no-till, 11% adopt reduced tillage, 13% rely on intensive tillage, and about 6% are planting cover crops to maintain soil health. Although farm counts and acreage have declined slightly since 2017, the county continues to rank solidly in the state for cropland production, reflecting a well-established, efficiency-driven agricultural community with deep roots in corn, soybeans, and rotational cropping.

Overview of Johnson County Agriculture

Location and Geography: Johnson County, Indiana is located just south of Indianapolis in the Central Indiana region, offering a mix of suburban development and rural landscapes. Its terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, with fertile soils that support productive farming across much of the county.

Major Crops:

1. Corn: a dominant crop, thriving in the county’s fertile soils and serving as a key commodity for both grain and livestock feed.
2. Soybeans: widely grown, value for their versatility and importance in both domestic use and export markets.
3. Wheat: produced on a smaller scale, often used in crop rotation to help maintain soil health and productivity.

Agriculture in Johnson County centers on about 520 farms that manage roughly 122,000 acres, with cropland making up the vast majority. On average, farms are around 235 acres, and nearly 96% of farm income comes from crops–so row cropping really dominates the local ag economy. Soybeans and corn are the primary crops planted across most acreage, with a small amount of land set aside for wheat or hay rotation. Many farmers are using conservation practices: about 20% use no-till, 11% reduced till, 13% rely on intensive tillage, and around 6% plant cover crops to help preserve soil health and long-term productivity.

Land demand in Johnson County remains strong, driven by both agricultural and development interests. Parcels near Greenwood and Franklin often catch the most attention, whether from farmers looking to expand or investors eyeing land for future uses. While higher interest rates and tighter farm margins are putting some pressure on prices, the limited supply of quality farmland continues to keep land values firm–especially for well-tillable, square fields with easy access.

History & Background of Johnson County, Indiana

County Seat: Franklin

Townships: Blue River / Clark / Franklin-Union-Needham / Hensley / Ninevah / Pleasant / White River

History: Established in 1823; Named after John Johnson, an Indiana Supreme Court justice from the early statehood era.

Population: 167,819

Cities & Towns: Greenwood / Franklin / Bargersville / Edinburgh / New Whiteland / Princes Lakes / Trafalgar / Whiteland

Acreage: 205,000

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Johnson County, Indiana.

The 2022 Ag Census for Johnson County, Indiana, reported the following crop statistics: