Illinois farmland prices continued to edge higher in 2025, even as overall market activity slowed from the prior year. While fewer acres changed hands, buyers remained willing to pay strong prices for quality ground. As a result, Illinois once again behaved more like Iowa and Minnesota than Nebraska, with firm pricing paired with lighter transaction volume.
This update compares statewide farmland sales data from 2024 and 2025 to explain how prices, volume, and acreage shifted across Illinois.
Illinois Farmland Prices Per Acre in 2025
To start, average Illinois farmland prices increased year over year.
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2024 Average Price: $9,876.94 per acre
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2025 Average Price: $10,028.26 per acre
Change:
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+ $151.32 per acre
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+1.53% year-over-year
Although the increase was modest, it reinforced continued pricing strength. In fact, farmland values in Illinois remained well supported as sellers held firm and buyers focused on productive, well-located tracts. Consequently, price levels moved higher despite fewer total sales.
Illinois Farmland Sales Volume Declined
By comparison, total dollar volume declined noticeably from 2024 to 2025.
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2024 Total Sales Volume: $4,383,763,072
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2025 Total Sales Volume: $3,604,571,109
Change:
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–$779,191,963
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–17.78% year-over-year
Clearly, this represented a significant pullback in total dollars transacted. However, the decline does not point to weaker Illinois farmland prices. Instead, fewer transactions — not discounted pricing — drove the lower sales volume, as Illinois land values continued to hold firm.
Fewer Acres Sold Across Illinois in 2025
When looking closer, acreage data further explains the slowdown in the Illinois agricultural land market.
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2024 Acres Sold: 287,838.77 acres
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2025 Acres Sold: 265,623.57 acres
Change:
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–22,215.20 acres
Because fewer acres came to market, total activity cooled even as pricing increased. At the same time, limited inventory helped support land prices across Illinois, particularly for high-quality farmland.
What This Means for Illinois Landowners and Buyers
In practical terms, Illinois’s farmland market in 2025 can be summarized with three key points:
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First, Illinois farmland prices continued to rise
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Second, transaction volume cooled materially
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Finally, reduced acreage drove much of the slowdown
In other words, farmland values in Illinois remained intact while overall market activity softened. This pricing-and-volume combination mirrors trends seen in neighboring states such as Iowa and Minnesota. Overall, Illinois land values continued to demonstrate resilience despite reduced transaction activity.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Illinois farmland prices will likely remain supported as long as supply stays constrained and buyer interest remains focused on quality ground, a trend frequently discussed by the University of Illinois Extension. Although sales volume may continue to fluctuate, long-term land fundamentals — including productivity, location, and income potential — continue to anchor values. For that reason, landowners evaluating a potential sale — as well as families planning around an estate or trust — should clearly distinguish between pricing trends and activity levels. Ultimately, a quieter market does not necessarily signal a weaker one.
If you have questions about Illinois farmland prices or are considering a sale, Whitaker Marketing Group can help you evaluate your land with clarity, data, and experience.
