Wayne County, Illinois
2024 Land Sales Report
Wayne County saw another round of per-acre land value increases in 2024, though current trends point to a possible cooling in 2025.
If you’d like to get specific land values on your own property or a farm near you for 2025, please contact Ryan Kull at (812) 881-6575.
Request a Land Values ReportAverage Price of Land*
$6,346/acre
Jan. – Dec. 2024*
As high as $8,376/acre
in 2024*
Land Market Commentary & Local Trends
Overall, the average price of farmland was $6,346/acre and the price per productivity index point was $61.89 in 2024 based on the sales data. It is important to note that in 2024 there have been farmland sales as high as $8,376 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, nearly 1,000 acres of farms and rural land were listed for sale in Wayne County, Illinois. Among all the towns in the county, Fairfield had the most land on the market. Wayne County ranks 51st out of Illinois’ 102 counties for the total acreage currently advertised for sale. Covering about 715 square miles, it’s the 25th largest county in the state and sits in the Southern Illinois region.
The most recent USDA farmland census reveals that Wayne County, Illinois, is home to 378 farms that collectively cover about 302,600 acres, making for an average farm size of roughly 336 acres. The majority of the land–about 82%–is cropland, while 6% is used for pasture, 9% for woodland, and the remaining 3% includes other purposes such as infrastructure or conservation.
Overview of Wayne County Agriculture
Location and Geography: Wayne County, Illinois, is located in the southeastern part of the state, within the Southern Illinois region. The county’s landscape features gently rolling terrain with fertile soils, making it well-suited for agriculture, and is bordered by several counties including Clay, Richland, and Jefferson.
Major Crops:
- Corn: a leading crop in Wayne County, thriving in the county’s fertile soils and playing a key role in both local farming operations and the regional agricultural economy.
- Soybeans: another major crop, valued for their versatility and widely grown across the county’s farmland.
- Wheat: also produced in Wayne County, contributing to crop diversity and supporting both food production and livestock feed markets.
Wayne County, Illinois, is rooted in a strong agricultural tradition, with vast stretches of fertile farmland supporting a diverse range of crops. Corn and soybeans dominate the fields, serving as the backbone of local farming operations, while wheat production adds variety and resilience to the county’s agricultural output. The area’s rich soils, favorable growing conditions, and long farming heritage have made agriculture a defining feature of the county’s economy and way of life. Many farms are family-owned and passed down through generations, maintaining a deep connection to the land.
The land market in Wayne County reflects this strong agricultural presence, with demand driven by both local producers looking to expand operations and outside buyers interested in productive farmland. Properties here are often sought after for their crop potential, consistent yields, and strategic location within Southern Illinois’ farming region. Whether for row crop production, mixed farming, or long-term investment, farmland in Wayne County remains an appealing choice for those seeking dependable agricultural opportunities.
History & Background of Wayne County, Illinois
County Seat: Fairfield
Townships: Arrington / Barnhill / Bedford / Berry / Big Mound / Elm River / Four Mile / Grover / Hickory Hill / Indian Prairie / Jasper / Keith / LaMard / Leech / Massilon / Mount Erie / Orchard / Orel / Zif
History: Established in 1819; Named after General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, a notable figure from the Revolutionary War.
Population: 15,928
Cities & Towns: Fairfield / Cisne / Golden Gate / Jeffersonville / Keenes / Mount Erie / Sims / Wayne City / Barnhill / Ellery / Mayberry / Rinard / Wynoose / Zenith
Acreage: 457,000
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the following crop statistics have been reported for Wayne County, Illinois.
The 2022 Ag Census for Wayne County, Illinois, reported the following crop statistics:
Number of farms: 901
Land in farms (acres): 302,602
Average farm size (acres): 336
Total market value of products sold: $272,576,000
Government payments: $5,506,000
Farm-related income: $12,700,000
Total farm production expenses: $182,834,000
Net cash farm income: $107,949,000
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/cp17191.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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