Top Websites to Buy Land in Illinois in 2026

Illinois remains one of the most land-rich states in the Midwest—and demand for acreage is still active. Agriculture drives much of that market: 75% of land in Illinois is farmland, according to the [American Farmland Trust](https://farmland.org/illinois). Whether you’re buying for long-term investment, recreation, or farm expansion, the right land website can help you find listings faster—but it won’t replace due diligence.

Illinois land market snapshot (why online listings stay competitive)

Recent sales data shows a market that’s adjusting in volume while holding price strength. In 2024, 287,838.77 acres sold across Illinois, according to [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update). In 2025, that figure moved to 265,623.57 acres sold, also reported by [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update).

Pricing trends have stayed resilient. The 2024 average farmland price was $9,876.94 per acre, per [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update). The 2025 average increased to $10,028.26 per acre, according to [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update), representing a +1.53% year-over-year increase from 2024 to 2025, as cited by [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update).

Total dollars flowing through the market also shifted. 2024 total sales volume reached $4,383,763,072, per [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update). In 2025, total sales volume was $3,604,571,109, according to [WMG Auction](https://www.wmgauction.com/illinois-farmland-prices-2024-vs-2025-market-update).

County-level pricing can vary dramatically, which is why filters and mapping tools matter. For example, Moultrie County’s average farmland value was $15,851.13 per acre (Q4 2024), according to [Farmland Intel](https://www.farmlandintel.com/resources/illinois-farmland-value-trends-by-county/). Cook County’s average farmland value was $5,446.08 per acre (Q4 2024), per [Farmland Intel](https://www.farmlandintel.com/resources/illinois-farmland-value-trends-by-county/).

Best websites to buy land in Illinois

These platforms consistently surface Illinois acreage listings and give buyers practical tools for narrowing options by location, size, price, and intended use.

Lands of America (Land.com network)

Lands of America is built for land-first shopping, which makes it a strong starting point if you want rural tracts, recreational acreage, or farm ground—not just homes with extra space. The search experience typically includes filters for county, town, acreage, price range, and (when available) financing terms. Many listings include interactive maps and GPS coordinates, helping you quickly assess access, nearby infrastructure, and the surrounding landscape.

Because individual brokers and agents populate listing details, the quality of descriptions and disclosures can vary. Use the platform for discovery and comparison, then verify specifics with documents, surveys, and local professionals before you commit.

LandWatch

LandWatch focuses heavily on agricultural and rural lifestyle buyers. It’s a practical option if you care about farm usability, potential productivity, and finding acreage that fits a specific operation or long-term plan. The platform’s land-oriented interface makes it easier to stay in “acreage mode” instead of sorting through primarily residential results.

As with any marketplace powered by third-party listings, treat every detail as a starting point. Confirm boundaries, access, and allowable uses before moving forward—especially if you plan to build, subdivide, or farm immediately after closing.

Zillow – Illinois Land & Farms for Sale

Zillow still dominates general real estate search behavior, and it can be surprisingly useful for Illinois land because it pulls many listings from MLS feeds. If you want broad coverage and quick alerts, Zillow’s saved searches and notifications can help you spot new vacant parcels fast.

The tradeoff is consistency. Listing formats and accuracy often vary widely across agents and MLS entries, so buyers should double-check zoning, utility availability, and legal access instead of relying on a single listing description.

What to look for when evaluating online land listings

• Clear location data: GPS coordinates, parcel numbers, and a map you can cross-reference.
• Access details: Road frontage, deeded easements, and confirmed ingress/egress.
• Use-case alignment: Zoning, permitted structures, and restrictions that affect farming, hunting, recreation, or building.
• Documentation signals: Surveys, tax information, seller disclosures, and notes about mineral/water rights where applicable.
• Comparable context: County and local pricing ranges can swing widely, as seen in Q4 2024 averages like $15,851.13 per acre in Moultrie County versus $5,446.08 per acre in Cook County, per [Farmland Intel](https://www.farmlandintel.com/resources/illinois-farmland-value-trends-by-county/).

Due diligence: how to avoid expensive surprises

Online marketplaces make browsing easy, but they don’t eliminate land risk. Before you sign a purchase contract, protect yourself with a due diligence checklist:

• Hire a qualified real estate attorney to review the contract, confirm title status, and flag easements, liens, and restrictions.
• Order a professional survey to verify acreage, boundaries, and potential encroachments.
• Confirm zoning and subdivision rules to avoid delays that can derail building timelines.
• Assess environmental conditions (and any legacy issues) that can require significant remediation before development or certain uses are allowed.
• Inspect the property in person to validate access, terrain, drainage, and usability beyond photos.

Final thoughts

If you’re searching for Illinois land online, start with land-focused marketplaces like Lands of America and LandWatch, and use Zillow for broad MLS-powered visibility and alerts. Keep your expectations grounded: listing quality varies, county pricing ranges can be extreme, and the best deal on a website can become the worst deal after closing if you skip legal and technical verification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What websites offer the most Illinois land and farm listings?

Lands of America, LandWatch, and Zillow are three of the most commonly used platforms for finding Illinois land and farm listings, with map-based search and filters for location, acreage, and price.

Are online land listings always accurate regarding property details?

No. Online land marketplaces rely on third-party listings, so accuracy can vary by agent and data source. Treat online information as preliminary and verify critical facts through an attorney review, a survey, and direct checks with county offices.

What risks are there when buying land listed for sale online?

Common risks include unclear legal access, boundary discrepancies, undisclosed easements, zoning limitations, subdivision restrictions that delay construction, and environmental issues that can create major remediation costs.

What precautions should I take before buying a vacant Illinois parcel I found online?

Inspect the property, verify zoning and permitted uses, confirm legal access, order a survey, run a title search through an attorney, and evaluate soil/water feasibility if you plan to farm or build.

What should I look for on land listing websites?

Prioritize listings with parcel IDs, clear maps and GPS coordinates, multiple recent photos, access documentation, and specific disclosures about easements, rights, restrictions, and any known site issues.