By Brandon Peteroccelli, Realtor & Auctioneer
Haldon Burgener Auction & Realty
⸻
The Shelby County, Illinois farmland market remained active during the reporting period, with 31 recorded land sales totaling more than $25,305,993.00 in transaction volume. A total of 2,357.93 acres changed hands during the reporting period, demonstrating continued demand for quality Central Illinois farmland from local operators, investors, and 1031 exchange buyers.
The county recorded an average sale price of $10,958.10 per acre across all sales, while the highest-priced tract sold for $23,516.87 per acre. Strong competition remained evident for highly productive farms, while recreational, mixed-use, and lower productivity farms continued attracting buyers seeking hunting, homesite, and long-term investment opportunities.
Shelby County continues to be one of the most closely watched farmland markets in Central Illinois due to its diverse mix of Class A tillable ground, recreational acreage, timber tracts, and family farm ownership.
County-Wide Market Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
| Total Sales | 31 |
| Total Dollar Volume | $25,305,993.00 |
| Total Acres Sold | 2,357.93 Acres |
| Average Tract Size | 76.1 Acres |
| Largest Tract Sold | 267.50 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $10,958.10 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $23,516.87 |
| Lowest Sale Price Per Acre | $5,000.00 |
⸻
Farmland Values by Productivity Class
Class A Farmland (PI 133-147)
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 9 |
| Acres Sold | 941.92 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $15,207.57 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $18,243.08 |
Class A farmland remained the strongest-performing segment of the Shelby County land market during the reporting period. Highly productive farms in townships such as Okaw, which recorded the highest number of Class A sales and the highest total Class A dollar volume during the reporting period, generated substantial buyer interest and continued to command premium pricing.
⸻
Class B Farmland (PI 117-132)
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 4 |
| Acres Sold | 285.52 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $11,161.43 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $18,000.00 |
Class B farmland continued to perform well throughout Shelby County. These farms often offer a balance between affordability and productivity, making them attractive to both operators and investors seeking long-term appreciation.
⸻
Class C Farmland (PI 100-116)
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 7 |
| Acres Sold | 429.28 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $11,568.17 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $23,516.87 |
Class C farmland values remained surprisingly strong during the reporting period. Several smaller tracts and highly competitive sales pushed pricing higher than many market participants expected, highlighting continued demand for quality acreage regardless of farm size.
⸻
Below Class C Farmland (PI Below 100)
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 11 |
| Acres Sold | 701.21 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $7,019.06 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $9,567.22 |
Lower productivity farmland continued attracting interest from recreational buyers, neighboring operators, and investors seeking lower entry costs. Hunting potential, timber value, and rural homesite opportunities remained significant drivers of demand.
⸻
Notable Farmland Sale
Ash Grove
- Acres Sold: 267.50
- Soil PI: 136
- Sale Price: $3,918,900
- Price Per Acre: $14,650.09
- Sale Date: 03/01/2026
This transaction represented the largest farmland sale in Shelby County during the reporting period by total dollar volume. The tract’s size, productivity, and location created substantial buyer demand and resulted in one of the county’s most significant transactions. The sale accounted for approximately 15.5% of all dollar volume sold during the reporting period, highlighting continued demand for high-quality investment-grade farmland.
(Photo: Sale Location Map)
⸻
Farmland Values by Township
Clarksburg
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 4 |
| Acres Sold | 158.51 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $10,435.36 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $14,000.00 |
⸻
Herrick
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 2 |
| Acres Sold | 199.76 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $5,320.97 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $5,641.93 |
⸻
Oconee
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 3 |
| Acres Sold | 208.69 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $6,386.11 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $7,000.00 |
⸻
Prairie
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 3 |
| Acres Sold | 192.99 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $8,075.36 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $10,725.00 |
⸻
Rose
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 2 |
| Acres Sold | 108.10 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $6,889.11 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $7,000.00 |
⸻
Sigel
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 25.79 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $23,516.87 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $23,516.87 |
⸻
Todds Point
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 3 |
| Acres Sold | 309.59 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $12,930.68 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $17,000.00 |
⸻
Cold Spring
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 93.10 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $6,691.73 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $6,691.73 |
⸻
Okaw
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 3 |
| Acres Sold | 325.89 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $14,370.02 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $15,000.00 |
⸻
Ash Grove
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 3 |
| Acres Sold | 467.24 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $10,283.07 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $14,650.09 |
⸻
Lakewood
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 38.63 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $10,700.00 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $10,700.00 |
⸻
Moweaqua
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 52.72 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $18,243.08 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $18,243.08 |
⸻
Windsor
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 59.00 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $18,000.00 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $18,000.00 |
⸻
Big Spring
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 41.00 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $15,853.66 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $15,853.66 |
⸻
Holland
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 36.92 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $8,198.00 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $8,198.00 |
⸻
Pickaway
| Statistic | Value |
| Number of Sales | 1 |
| Acres Sold | 40.00 Acres |
| Average Price Per Acre | $16,200.00 |
| Highest Sale Price Per Acre | $16,200.00 |
⸻
Other Illinois Farmland Values Reports
- Christian County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Moultrie County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Piatt County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Macon County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- DeWitt County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Douglas County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Coles County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Montgomery County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Sangamon County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Fayette County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Effingham County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Cumberland County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Champaign County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Macoupin County Illinois Farmland Values Report
- Logan County Illinois Farmland Values Report
⸻
Looking for current Shelby County farmland values, a farm market analysis, or considering selling farmland in Shelby County, Illinois? Contact Brandon Peteroccelli, Realtor & Auctioneer with Haldon Burgener Auction & Realty for local market insight, farmland sales data, and professional representation throughout Central Illinois.