Marshall County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Marshall County land values went up again in 2024, but trends suggest that growth may be slowing as the market begins to stabilize in 2025.
If you’d like to get specific land values on your own property or a farm near you for 2025, please contact Jeremy Thompson at (815) 351-5572.
Request a Land Values ReportAverage Price of Land*
$12,714/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $17,200/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $12,714/acre and the price per productivity index point was $96.18 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $17,200 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 1,000 acres of farms and rural land were listed for sale in Marshall County, Illinois, with a combined value of around $10 million. That puts Marshall County at 67th out of the state’s 102 counties for total acreage currently on the market. The town of Varna topped the list for the most land available. While agriculture is important here, the local economy leans heavily on manufacturing and related services. Covering 398 square miles, Marshall County ranks as the 74th largest in Illinois and sits in the state’s Western Illinois region.
The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that Marshall County, Illinois, supports a solid agricultural foundation, with 491 farms working about 206,667 acres of land–an increase of 4% since 2017. Fields are largely dedicated to crops, especially corn and soybeans, which dominate the landscape and make up nearly all of the county’s agricultural sales. To keep the soil healthy, farmers are turning to conservation methods: around 21% practice no-till, 37% use reduced tillage, 34% rely on intensive tillage, and 10% have started using cover crops.
Overview of Marshall County Agriculture
Location and Geography:
Marshall County sits along the Illinois River in the north-central part of the state, blending rich river valley farmland with gently rolling prairies. Its mix of fertile bottomlands and higher uplands makes it well-suited for both row crops and diverse agricultural uses.
Major Crops:
- Corn: the dominant crop in Marshall County, thriving in its fertile soils and serving as a key driver of the local farm economy.
- Soybeans: another major crop, often rotated with corn to maintain soil health and diversify production.
- Wheat: grown on a smaller scale, adding variety to the county’s agricultural output and taking advantage of well-drained fields.
Marshall County remains deeply rooted in agriculture, with 491 farms stewarding nearly 206,700 acres of farmland—about 90% of which is cropland, with the rest made up of pasture, woodland, and other uses. Farmers are employing careful land stewardship: approximately 21% practice no-till, 37% reduced tillage, 34% intensive tillage, and 10% utilize cover crops to maintain soil health and productivity. Corn and soybeans dominate the county’s crop output, contributing nearly all of its agricultural sales.
On the land market front, demand in Marshall County continues to hinge on soil quality and productivity—especially in areas bisected by the fertile Illinois River. Properties with higher productivity indices tend to generate greater interest, despite broader market cooling. The county’s varied terrain—river valleys, rolling uplands, and protected refuges—adds appeal for both farming and rural buyers, keeping the marketplace active yet measured.
History & Background of Marshall County, Illinois
County Seat: Lacon
Townships: Bell Plain / Bennington / Evans / Henry / Hopewell / Lacon / La Prairie / Richland / Roberts / Saratoga / Steuben / Whitefield
History: Established in 1839; Named for Chief Justice John Marshall
Population: 11,683
Cities & Towns: Lacon / Henry / Toluca / Wenona / Hopewell / La Rose / Sparland / Varna / Washburn / Camp Grove / Evans / Lawn Ridge / Pattonsburg / Saratoga Center / Wilbern / Hopewell Estates
Acreage: 247,680
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Marshall County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for Marshall County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 491
Land in farms (acres): 206,667
Average farm size (acres): 421
Total market value of products sold: $196,902,000
Government payments: $1,675,000
Farm-related income: $7,892,000
Total farm production expenses: $130,104,000
Net cash farm income: $76,365,000
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/cp17123.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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