2020 ISU Land Value Survey Results

in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

The 2020 ISU Land Value Survey shows a 1.7% increase in average Iowa farmland values from November 2019 to November 2020. The average statewide value of an acre of farmland is now estimated at $7,559. This modest rise is the third increase in Iowa farmland values over the past six years, and a second consecutive rise. The 2020 land value still represents a 13% decline from the 2013 peak in nominal land values, or a 22% drop in inflation-adjusted values.

The recent increase is largely attributable to record-level federal ad hoc payments, drastic cuts in interest rates by the Federal Reserve, recent surges in agricultural exports and commodity prices, and limited land supply.

Questions or comments about the 2020 survey, please contact Dr. Wendong Zhang at wdzhang@iastate.edu or call the office at 515-294-2536.

2020 Land Value Survey News Conference

The results of the 2020 land value survey were announced by Dr. Zhang at a news conference on Tuesday, December 15. The full 60 minute-long news conference video is at the bottom of this page. Additional materials from the news conference are available below.

Three minute highlights of the 2020 survey results

2020 Land Value Survey Resources

Full 60 minute-long 2020 news conference video