10 reasons why buying land in Illinois still makes sense in 2026

Illinois land still stands out in 2026 for one simple reason: it offers multiple “lanes” for buyers—elite cropland, income-producing rentals, recreational ground, and strategic parcels near growing metros. Agriculture remains the backbone. About 75% of Illinois is farmland, and 89% of that farmland is considered prime for production, according to the American Farmland Trust. That depth of prime acreage supports long-term demand and makes Illinois a serious contender for anyone who wants land with real utility.

At the same time, today’s buyers need modern context. Farm profitability can fluctuate even while land remains resilient. Illinois net farm income is projected to decrease by 26% to $4.29 billion in 2026, according to the RaFF Missouri Spring 2025 Illinois Farm Income Outlook. That kind of headline pushes some owners to sell and creates opportunities for prepared buyers—especially those who underwrite conservatively and prioritize soil, access, drainage, and long-term optionality.

Reasons to Buy Land in Illinois

1. Relative value in a national land market

Illinois competes well when you compare it to national benchmarks. U.S. average farm real estate value (land + buildings) reached $4,350 per acre in 2025, up 4.3% from the prior year, and Midwest farmland values are expected to hold through early 2026, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation via UCLandForSale. In that environment, Illinois offers a spectrum—from premium cropland to overlooked rural parcels—so you can match price to strategy instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all purchase.

2. Prime soils and proven productivity

Illinois earns its reputation with measurable performance. On high productivity farmland in central Illinois, the 2026 corn yield estimate is 241 bushels per acre and the soybean yield estimate is 76 bushels per acre, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily. When you buy quality Illinois dirt, you’re not just buying acreage—you’re buying a production profile that tenants, operators, and lenders understand.

3. Revenue visibility that helps with underwriting

Buyers love land that pencils out. For 2026, projected gross revenues on high productivity farmland in central Illinois are $1,080 per acre for corn and $846 per acre for soybeans, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily. Those estimates don’t eliminate risk, but they give you a clear, data-backed starting point for evaluating rent coverage, operating margins, and long-term improvements.

4. Competitive cash rent for income-focused owners

If your priority is steady annual income, Illinois remains one of the most straightforward places to lease farmland. Cash rent rates for high productivity farmland in central Illinois are set at $327 per acre for both corn and soybeans in 2026, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily. That clarity supports clean budgeting and makes it easier to compare opportunities across counties and soil ratings.

5. Built-in policy support that can stabilize downside years

Farm programs can influence real-world land economics, especially in tighter margins. For 2026, the average per-acre ARC/PLC payment rate is $65.97 for corn and $22.45 for soybeans, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily. Buyers and landowners factor these expectations into risk planning, tenant negotiations, and long-term hold decisions—particularly when commodity cycles cool.

6. Multiple strategies beyond row-crop farming

Illinois isn’t only “buy a farm, rent it out.” Many of the best deals live in niches: transitional ground near growth corridors, timbered parcels, smaller recreational tracts, and lower-demand acreage that needs cleanup, access solutions, or patient holding. When you buy land with more than one possible future use, you protect yourself against a single market narrative.

7. Freshwater and practical livability

Illinois benefits from major rivers, groundwater resources, and a long history of rural infrastructure. For land buyers, that often translates into simpler development planning, fewer constraints on rural living, and a more realistic path to adding value—whether that’s a homesite, a pond, or upgraded farm improvements.

8. Lower disaster exposure than many coastal markets

Every state has weather, but Illinois typically avoids the extreme exposure found in hurricane corridors, wildfire zones, and high-seismic regions. That relative stability matters when you plan to hold land for decades, not quarters.

9. Strong hunting and recreational upside

Whitetail and turkey country, weekend cabins, ATV trails, and private camping spots keep demand strong for well-located recreational tracts. In a state with limited public-land access compared to the Mountain West, private ownership often becomes the clearest route to consistent outdoor use.

10. Location advantage for long-term development and logistics

Illinois sits in the center of U.S. commerce, anchored by Chicago’s rail and interstate network and supported by downstate highways and river transport. That geography keeps land around key corridors relevant—whether your end buyer is a farmer, a solar developer, a warehouse user, or a family that wants space outside town.

The Best Places to Buy Land in Illinois

Chicago Metro and growth corridors

Look for parcels with clean access, utilities nearby, and zoning pathways. Even when you don’t plan to develop immediately, land near expanding suburbs can carry valuable optionality—especially if it can support multiple exit paths (ag lease today, development tomorrow).

Central Illinois

If you want the classic Illinois farmland profile, central Illinois stays top of the list. It’s also where many of the most referenced benchmarks for yields, rent, and revenue originate—useful for underwriting, comparables, and setting realistic expectations.

Northwest Illinois

Rolling terrain and scenic river influence make northwest Illinois attractive for recreation, second homes, and mixed-use tracts. Smaller parcels here can deliver lifestyle value while still retaining long-term resale appeal.

Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois offers more timber, hills, and seclusion—often at lower entry prices than prime row-crop regions. If your goal is a cabin site, hunting land, or a quieter long-term hold, this region can be a strong fit.

Quad Cities region

Mississippi River adjacency plus multi-state metro influence creates interesting opportunities in industrial, commercial, and transitional land—especially for buyers who prioritize access and long-term demand tied to logistics and manufacturing.

Final Words

Illinois remains a compelling land market because it combines scale, quality, and flexibility. With 75% of the state in farmland and 89% of that considered prime (American Farmland Trust), the foundation is strong. Yet 2026 also rewards buyers who stay realistic: net farm income is projected to fall 26% to $4.29 billion (RaFF Missouri Spring 2025 Illinois Farm Income Outlook), so disciplined due diligence matters more than hype.

If you buy with a clear plan—cash rent, recreation, long-term appreciation, or development optionality—Illinois can deliver both practical use and enduring value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the main benefits of buying land in Illinois?

Buyers typically choose Illinois for prime agricultural capability, income potential through leases, strong recreational demand, and central-U.S. location advantages. The state’s land base is deeply agricultural—75% farmland, with 89% of that prime—per the American Farmland Trust.

What kind of rental income can high-quality Illinois cropland generate?

On high productivity farmland in central Illinois, 2026 cash rent rates are set at $327 per acre for both corn and soybeans, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily. Actual rents vary by soil, drainage, field shape, and local competition.

How productive is central Illinois farmland?

For 2026 planning on high productivity central Illinois ground, the corn yield estimate is 241 bushels per acre and the soybean yield estimate is 76 bushels per acre, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily.

How do government program payments factor into farmland economics?

For 2026, the average per-acre ARC/PLC payment rate is $65.97 for corn and $22.45 for soybeans, according to University of Illinois Extension farmdoc daily. Many owners consider these expectations when stress-testing leases and downside scenarios.

Are farmland values still rising nationally?

Nationally, U.S. average farm real estate value reached $4,350 per acre in 2025, up 4.3% year over year, and Midwest farmland values are expected to hold through early 2026, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation via UCLandForSale.

What should I watch for when buying rural land in Illinois?

Confirm legal access and road frontage, review soil maps and drainage history, verify zoning and permitted uses, and budget for maintenance. If you plan to lease cropland, use local benchmarks—like rent, yield, and revenue projections—to negotiate terms that work for both owner and operator.