McLean County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Land values in McLean County remained strong in 2024, but recent market activity in 2025 suggests prices may be beginning to stabilize.
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*
$13,497/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $17,715/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $13,497/acre and the price per productivity index point was $100.70 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $17,715 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 land went up for sale in McLean County, Illinois, totaling close to $16 million in value. The county ranks 42nd out of Illinois’ 102 counties for the total amount of land currently on the market. Among all the communities in McLean County with farms, hunting land, and other rural properties for sale, Carlock tops the list with the most acreage available. Covering 1,186 square miles, McLean County is one of the ten largest counties in Illinois and sits right in the heart of Central Illinois.
The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that McLean County, Illinois, remains a major agricultural hub, with nearly 1,300 farms managing about 695,000 acres of farmland. Corn and soybeans continue to be the dominant crops, covering the vast majority of acreage. Farmers in the county are also embracing conservation practices like no-till and cover crops to protect soil health and boost sustainability. Overall, McLean County’s farming community stays strong and adaptive, balancing large-scale production with efforts to maintain the land for future generations.
Overview of McLean County Agriculture
Location and Geography: McLean County, Illinois, is located in the central part of the state and is the largest county by land area in Illinois, spanning about 1,185 square miles. The county’s landscape is mostly flat to gently rolling prairie, making it ideal for large-scale agriculture, especially corn and soybean production.
Major Crops:
- Corn: one of the leading crops in Vigo County, thriving in the area’s fertile prairie soils and supporting both grain markets and local livestock feed needs.
- Soybeans: another dominant crop, valued for their versatility in producing food products, animal feed, and biofuels.
McLean County’s agriculture is anchored by its vast, fertile prairie soils, making it one of Illinois’ premier farming regions. The county’s farms predominantly produce corn and soybeans, which dominate the landscape and drive much of the local economy. Farmers in the area often practice crop rotation and increasingly adopt conservation methods such as no-till and cover cropping to maintain soil health and sustainability. Livestock farming, though less dominant, also plays a role, complementing crop production and supporting the broader agricultural community.
Demand for farmland in McLean County remains strong, fueled by both local farmers looking to expand their operations and investors interested in productive agricultural land. The county’s large size and consistent crop yields make it a desirable market, especially around towns that offer good access to infrastructure and services. Overall, McLean County maintains a balanced land market where high-quality soil and well-managed properties attract steady interest, reflecting the area’s long-standing agricultural heritage and its ongoing importance in Illinois’ farming landscape.
History & Background of McLean County, Illinois
County Seat: Bloomington
Townships: Allin / Anchor / Arrowsmith / Bellflower / Bloomington / Bloomington City / Blue Mound / Cheney’s Grove / Chenoa / Cropsey / Dale / Danvers / Dawson / Downs / Dry Grove / Empire / Funk’s Grove / Gridley / Hudson / Lawndale / Lexington / Martin / Money Creek / Mount Hope / Normal / Old Town / Randolph / Towanda / West / White Oak / Yates
History: Established in 1830; Named for John McLean, a U.S. Senator from Illinois who died in 1830.
Population: 170,441
Cities & Towns: Bloomington / Chenoa / El Paso / Le Roy / Lexington / Normal / Anchor / Arrowsmith / Bellflower / Carlock / Colfax / Cooksville / Danvers / Downs / Ellsworth / Gridley / Heyworth / Hudson / McLean / Saybrook / Stanford / Towanda
Acreage: 757,120
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for McLean County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for McLean County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 1,488
Land in farms (acres): 597,397
Average farm size (acres): 401
Total market value of products sold: $721,164,000
Government payments: $5,806,000
Farm-related income: $30,608,000
Total farm production expenses: $473,549,000
Net cash farm income: $284,028,000
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/cp17113.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
Thinking About Selling?
Need Advice?
Get the guidance, service, and professional expertise you deserve.
- Family Farm Advisory for Succession Planning
- Undivided Interests & Tenants in Common
- Farmland Management Decisions
- Auctions & Listing
With our full-time experienced team, you’ll get our ‘boots on the ground’ work ethic paired with the latest in digital technology & national marketing reach – for best-in-class service and results.
Because you deserve more value.
Contact Us