Northwest Iowa once again stands at the top of the state for farmland values, with Sioux and Lyon counties ranking among Iowa’s most valuable farmland markets, according to the 2025 Iowa State University Land Value Survey.
The survey places Sioux County at $15,983 per acre and Lyon County at $15,764 per acre, both well above the statewide average of $11,549 per acre. Neighboring O’Brien County led the state at $16,269 per acre, continuing a trend that has made northwest Iowa the strongest region for farmland values year after year.
Iowa State University Extension economist Rabail Chandio says northwest Iowa’s strength is nothing new, but 2025 marked an important shift compared to other parts of northern Iowa.
While crop-heavy areas of Iowa faced tighter margins tied to lower commodity prices and higher input costs, northwest Iowa continued to see support from its strong livestock and animal agriculture base — particularly across Sioux, Lyon, Plymouth, and O’Brien counties.
Chandio says livestock profitability has played a major role in keeping land demand strong, even as the broader ag economy faces uncertainty.
That regional strength is reflected beyond Sioux and Lyon counties. Plymouth County averaged $14,582 per acre, while Cherokee County came in at $13,665 and Buena Vista County at $13,696, all clustering well above the state average.
Sioux County also drew statewide attention this year after a record-setting farmland sale of approximately $32,000 per acre, the highest ever reported in Iowa. Chandio notes that while such sales grab headlines, they do not reflect everyday market conditions, instead reflecting long-term, family-driven decisions tied to location and legacy rather than short-term profitability.
Statewide, farmland values rose modestly by 0.7 percent in 2025, but when adjusted for inflation, values declined by 1.8 percent. Northwest Iowa stood apart from that trend, posting the strongest regional increase in the state and reinforcing its position as Iowa’s most resilient farmland market.
