Cash Rents 2025: Illinois Tops Corn Belt Rankings
Illinois leads again with the highest cropland rents in the Corn Belt, topping $372/acre in Sangamon County, per new USDA data.
Illinois secured five of the top six spots in the 2025 Corn Belt county cash rent averages. Here's a breakdown of the Top 10 non-irrigated cropland rents:
Sangamon County, IL: $372/acre (up $3)
Macon County, IL: $361/acre (up $9)
Logan County, IL: $352/acre (up $26)
Moultrie County, IL: $350/acre (new to top 10, down $19)
De Witt County, IL: $330/acre (down $10)
Benton County, IN: $327/acre (up $28)
Ida County, IA: $322/acre (up $2)
Butler County, IA: $322/acre (up $14)
Kendall County, IL: $321/acre (up $30)
Bureau County, IL: $320/acre (up $18)
These shifts underscore strong demand for high-quality land, with certain counties showing notable increases due to yields, location, and infrastructure advantages.
This map shows the highest 2025 county-level average cash rents for non-irrigated cropland in Corn Belt states. (Source: USDA NASS
State-by-State Highest Average Cash Rent in 2025
Each Corn Belt state has its standout county for average non-irrigated cropland rent:
Illinois: Sangamon Co. - $372
Indiana: Benton Co. - $327
Iowa: Ida Co. - $322
Kentucky: Union Co. - $271 (up $16 over two years)
Michigan: Huron Co. - $237 (up $17 from 2023)
Minnesota: Martin Co. - $285 (down $2)
Missouri: Atchison Co. - $270 (up $26)
Nebraska: Dakota Co. - $293 (up $13)
Ohio: Darke Co. - $287 (first recorded since 2021)
Wisconsin: Lafayette Co. - $260 (down $1)
Notable trends include sharp increases in Benton County, Indiana (+$28) and Kendall County, Illinois (+$30), likely driven by competitive tenant demand and strong crop returns. Meanwhile, counties like Piatt in Illinois, which topped 2024's list, saw a significant $54 decrease, possibly reflecting local market adjustments or variability in soil productivity.
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What This Means for U.S. Farmers and Landowners
These rising cash rents are key indicators of land value trends, regional farm profitability, and input cost pressures. For landowners, this data supports renegotiations and valuation assessments. For producers, especially those renting land, tightening margins may require adjustments in crop selection, input management, and long-term leasing strategies.
Additionally, these figures will factor heavily into crop insurance benchmarks, farm bill negotiations, and ag finance planning for 2026.
