Starke County, Indiana
2024 Land Sales Report

According to Land.com, about 2,000 acres of land in Starke County, Indiana, were recently listed for sale, with a total value close to $23 million. The county ranks 71st in the state for the amount of land currently on the market. Two properties were also sold through the Land Network Comparable Sales Program, totaling just under $1.2 million. Among cities in Starke County, Knox had the most listings for farms and rural land. Starke County covers 312 square miles, making it the 78th largest county in Indiana, and it’s located in the northern part of the state.

The most recent USDA farmland census shows that Starke County, remains a solidly agricultural area, with nearly 400 farms covering close to 99,000 acres. Most of that land – about 84,000 acres – is used for cropland, with corn and soybeans leading the way as the dominant crops. Corn for grain accounts for over 9,400 acres, while soybeans take up about 6,750 acres. While row crops are the backbone of local farms, there’s also some diversity, including hay production, small amounts of fruit like berries, and even some mint. Livestock plays a smaller but still important role, and there is a few greenhouse and nursery operations as well. Altogether, farms in Starke County generated over $18 million in agricultural sales, the vast majority coming from grain and oilseed production, showing the continued strength of traditional row-crop farming in the region.

Overview of Starke County Agriculture

Location and Geography: Starke County is located in northwestern Indiana, bordered by LaPorte, Marshall, Pulaski, and Jasper counties. Its geography consists of mostly flat to gently rolling farmland, with rural communities, woodlands, and several small lakes and rivers, including the Kankakee River along its northern edge.

Major Crops:

1. Corn: Leading crop in Starke County, widely cultivated for livestock feed, ethanol production, and food ingredients across tens of thousands of acres.
2. Soybeans: The second most prevalent crop, serving as a valuable rotation crop with corn and contributing significantly to both domestic and export markets.

Agriculture in Starke County is dominated by row-crop production: most of the county’s nearly 84,000 acres of cropland are planted with corn and soybeans. Supporting these are smaller acreage allocations for forage, pasture, and some specialty crops, though row-crops remain the clear focus. The county supports about 394 farms, with cropland accounting for over 80% of total farm acreage, supplemented by nearly 8,400 acres of woodland and 1,700 acres of pasture or rangeland. Corn for grain and soybeans form the backbone of operations, with crop rotations that may include forage or small specialty plantings typical to northern Indiana.

Farm real estate in Starke County falls within Indiana’s traditionally strong eastern Corn Belt market. Locally, top-quality soils and tillable acreage remain high in demand, especially among large-scale operators and next-generation farmers. While statewide farmland prices hit record highs in 2024 – driven by tight land supply statewide – Starke County values have remained relatively stable compared with nearby counties, reflecting its mix of productivity and developmental proximity. Within the county, most farmland listed for sale continues to attract strong interest, with better-quality soil commanding the greatest demand.

History & Background of Starke County, Indiana

County Seat: Knox

Townships: California / Center / Davis / Jackson / North Bend / Oregon / Railroad / Washington / Wayne

History: Organized in 1850, named in honor of General John Stark

Population: 23,371

Cities & Towns: Hamlet / Knox / North Judson

Acreage: 199,000

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

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