Top Illinois Counties to Buy Land in 2026

Illinois land buyers have more to choose from than the Chicago metro alone—prairies and prime row-crop ground in the north and center, forested hills in the south, and river corridors that support recreation and redevelopment. The state is divided into 102 counties, and that county-by-county view is one of the fastest ways to narrow your search to places with the strongest mix of demand, infrastructure, and long-term upside.

Why Evaluate Land by Counties in Illinois?

Illinois spans distinct climate, soil, and economic regions from north to south. Counties also control (or heavily influence) zoning practices, road maintenance priorities, permitting norms, tax structures, and the pace of utility expansion—factors that directly affect what you can build, what it costs, and how quickly an area can grow.

County-level analysis also helps you avoid misleading “statewide averages.” Recent farmland market data shows why: average prices rose while overall sales activity softened, which can hide local hot spots and local slowdowns. According to WMG Auction, the average Illinois farmland price increased from $9,876.94 per acre in 2024 to $10,028.26 per acre in 2025—a +1.53% year-over-year gain. Over the same period, the acres sold fell from 287,838.77 acres in 2024 to 265,623.57 acres in 2025 (a decline of 22,215.20 acres), and total sales volume dropped from $4,383,763,072 in 2024 to $3,604,571,109 in 2025 (a -17.78% year-over-year change), per WMG Auction. Those statewide shifts make it even more important to focus on counties where real demand drivers are strongest.

Key Site Selection Factors Informing Where to Buy Illinois Land

Buying land is a long-horizon decision. The best outcomes usually come from aligning your parcel with the forces that pull people, jobs, and capital into an area. Prioritize counties—and then specific parcels—using these practical drivers:

Infrastructure Expansion — Highway projects, interchange upgrades, rail improvements, water/sewer extensions, and broadband buildouts often lead to higher land utility and higher demand. Parcels near planned public projects can appreciate faster because they become easier to access and cheaper to serve.

Industry and Employment Growth — Counties that land major employers (manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, data centers, and distribution) typically see secondary demand for housing and services. Track economic development announcements and commercial permitting trends.

Amenities and Recreation — Trails, waterfront districts, downtown reinvestment, and tourism attractions can reshape a rural county’s appeal—especially for second-home buyers, retirees, and remote workers.

Demographic Shifts — Population inflows (families, immigrants, retirees, and commuters priced out of core metros) can create sustained demand for buildable lots and small acreage.

Farm Economics (for Agricultural Land) — Row-crop land values depend heavily on expected farm profitability. For pricing context, projected commodity prices matter: farmdoc daily (University of Illinois) lists a 2025 projected corn price of $4.10 per bushel and a 2025 projected soybean price of $10.20 per bushel. Rental benchmarks also influence returns; University of Illinois Extension reports Central Illinois 2026 cash rent at $327 per acre for corn and soybeans. Policy support can affect net income as well—farmdoc daily (University of Illinois) notes a 2025 Farmer Bridge Assistance Payment of $44 per acre for corn.

Strong opportunities typically show up where multiple indicators align—transportation access, job growth, and expanding residential demand—rather than relying on scenery alone. For a broader look at investor considerations, see potential land buys and how buyers evaluate long-term value.

Top Illinois Counties Exhibiting Growth Indicators

The counties below stand out for momentum tied to metro spillover, logistics, lifestyle demand, and targeted reinvestment. Use them as starting points, then validate parcel-level details with local data and on-the-ground due diligence.

Kane County

Kane County sits on Chicago’s western edge, with commuter access and strong transportation connectivity that supports both residential growth and commercial development. Its proximity to O’Hare-driven economic activity and the appeal of established communities like Geneva and St. Charles make it a consistent contender for buyers looking for build sites, small acreage, or long-term holds in a growth corridor.

Why Kane County land? It blends metro accessibility with smaller-town character—often a durable combination when housing demand spreads outward from major employment centers.

Will County

Will County benefits from major interstate connectivity—particularly around I-80—helping it attract large-scale warehousing and logistics investment. That industrial base can drive new housing demand as employment expands, especially in communities that balance commute times with more attainable pricing.

Why Will County land? Logistics growth tends to create multi-year demand for both industrial sites and nearby rooftops, which can support land absorption and price resilience.

McHenry County

McHenry County remains a notable Chicagoland growth area for buyers who want a more rural feel without losing access to major job markets. Its positioning between the Chicago region and Milwaukee helps widen the buyer pool, while parks, lakes, and open space add lifestyle appeal.

Why McHenry County land? Demand is diversified—commuters, families, and lifestyle buyers—which can reduce reliance on a single economic driver.

Jersey County

Jersey County, across the Mississippi River from the St. Louis region, draws outdoor and weekend traffic with riverfront scenery, trails, hunting land, and recreation. That lifestyle demand can support niche opportunities in cabins, short-term rentals (where permitted), marinas, and small hospitality concepts.

Why Jersey County land? River access and recreation create a differentiated land use case that many Illinois counties cannot replicate.

Peoria County

Peoria County has worked to diversify beyond legacy industrial dependence by strengthening healthcare and improving key districts, including riverfront-focused redevelopment. For land buyers, that kind of targeted reinvestment can create pockets of opportunity—even if the broader region grows more slowly than Chicagoland.

Why Peoria County land? When a region stabilizes and reinvests strategically, well-located parcels can benefit from renewed demand, especially near employment anchors and improving amenities.

These examples are not the only places to buy land in Illinois—they are simply counties where visible demand drivers can make research more efficient. Many additional opportunities exist in under-the-radar areas that show early signs of change: commercial permits, annexation activity, road projects, and utility extensions.

Assessing Land Site Potential Across Illinois (Parcel-Level Due Diligence)

County selection gets you into the right “macro” area. Parcel due diligence determines whether a specific property is actually buildable, accessible, and financeable. Before you make an offer, validate the details that most often change the economics:

Confirm nearby growth activity — Identify what is being built within a few miles: housing starts, industrial pads, retail nodes, and public facilities. Ongoing construction often signals sustained demand.

Verify legal and practical access — Confirm deeded access, road frontage, and maintenance responsibility. Landlocked parcels or informal easements can derail financing and future resale.

Map utility availability — Water, electric, gas, sewer/septic feasibility, and broadband access can make or break a build plan. Get utility maps and written confirmation rather than relying on visual assumptions.

Estimate clearing and site-prep costs — Timber, brush, and grading expenses can quickly exceed expectations. Price out clearing, driveway installation, and stormwater requirements early.

Assess topography and drainage — Review contours, flood data, and soil conditions to understand foundation costs, septic suitability, and driveway placement. Slopes and wetlands can restrict usable acreage.

Review mineral, water, and title considerations — Make sure the title work matches your intended use. Rights can be severed or restricted, and easements can limit development.

For additional context on why many investors focus on Illinois and what they evaluate, reference lands investment considerations that often affect long-term performance.

Key Takeaways for Prioritizing Illinois Land Investments

Start wide, then zoom in. Illinois spans 102 counties, and county-level filtering helps you quickly prioritize areas with stronger infrastructure, jobs, and demographic momentum.

Next, ground your expectations in current market reality. Statewide data shows prices held firm even as transaction volume cooled: WMG Auction reports average farmland values of $9,876.94 per acre (2024) and $10,028.26 per acre (2025, +1.53% YoY), while acres sold fell from 287,838.77 (2024) to 265,623.57 (2025) and sales volume declined from $4,383,763,072 (2024) to $3,604,571,109 (2025, -17.78% YoY). Those trends make local, parcel-specific diligence even more important.

Finally, match the land to its best use. If you are evaluating farmland, watch the operating backdrop: farmdoc daily (University of Illinois) projects 2025 corn at $4.10/bushel and 2025 soybeans at $10.20/bushel, and notes a 2025 Farmer Bridge Assistance Payment of $44/acre for corn. If you are underwriting lease potential, consider that University of Illinois Extension reports Central Illinois 2026 cash rent at $327/acre for corn and soybeans. Use these numbers as inputs—not guarantees—while you validate soils, drainage, access, and tenant demand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which counties in Illinois are seeing the most land development currently?

Counties with notable development signals include Kane (suburban growth and commercial investment), Will (major logistics and warehousing), McHenry (commuter and lifestyle growth), Jersey (recreation-driven demand), and Peoria (targeted reinvestment tied to healthcare and district improvements). Always confirm parcel-level conditions and local permitting trends before buying.

What types of land appreciate fastest in value in Illinois?

Parcels near expanding infrastructure, employment centers, and active construction zones often appreciate faster than isolated tracts. In many counties, land on the edge of growing towns—especially where annexation or zoning changes increase allowable density—can also see outsized demand.

What is the average cost per acre currently for farmland in Illinois?

Recent statewide averages provide a benchmark: WMG Auction reports an average Illinois farmland price of $9,876.94 per acre in 2024 and $10,028.26 per acre in 2025 (+1.53% year-over-year). Actual pricing still varies significantly by soil quality, drainage, parcel size, and local demand.

How do corn and soybean outlooks affect Illinois land values?

Commodity projections influence farm profitability expectations, which can impact rent, buyer demand, and valuations for productive ground. For example, farmdoc daily (University of Illinois) lists a 2025 projected corn price of $4.10/bushel and a 2025 projected soybean price of $10.20/bushel. Support programs can matter too; the same source notes a 2025 Farmer Bridge Assistance Payment of $44/acre for corn.

What cash rent levels should buyers consider when underwriting farmland?

Cash rent is local, but regional benchmarks help. University of Illinois Extension reports Central Illinois 2026 cash rent at $327 per acre for corn and soybeans. Use this alongside soils data, drainage quality, and tenant availability for a realistic estimate.

Should I use a broker or attorney when buying land in Illinois?

Yes. Local land brokers, real estate attorneys, and surveyors help you verify zoning, access, easements, title conditions, and realistic build costs. Their local knowledge can also uncover off-market opportunities and prevent expensive due diligence surprises.