Bremer County Iowa Farmland Sales: 2026 Market Update
LandSleuth — National Farmland Sales Database
Bremer County, located in Northeast Iowa, has seen dynamic farmland market activity through early 2026. This post analyzes sales data from 2021 to 2026 YTD, including CSR tier breakdowns and top transactions, offering insights for appraisers, lenders, and investors.
Bremer County, situated in Northeast Iowa within ISU District 3 (Cedar River valley), has consistently been a significant area for farmland transactions. LandSleuth now has 882 courthouse-verified sales on record for Bremer County, providing a comprehensive view of market dynamics through early 2026. The market has shown fluctuations, with notable shifts in average prices and sales volumes over the past five years, reflecting broader trends in Iowa's agricultural land values. This analysis provides an update on the Bremer County farmland market, focusing on data from 2021 through the year-to-date in 2026.
Year-by-Year Trend (2021–2026)
The Bremer County farmland market has experienced varied performance over the last five years. Following a strong rebound in 2022, average prices per acre saw a slight increase in 2023 before a dip in 2024. The market then recovered significantly in 2025, indicating a robust demand. The early data for 2026 suggests a potential cooling, though with only two sales recorded, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions.
| Year | Sales | Avg $/Acre | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 | $7,767 | $2,300–$10,261 |
| 2022 | 15 | $11,762 | $4,000–$16,699 |
| 2023 | 21 | $12,215 | $4,700–$16,208 |
| 2024 | 24 | $10,181 | $1,031–$17,687 |
| 2025 | 30 | $11,785 | $3,000–$19,318 |
| 2026 YTD | 2 | $9,423 | $8,846–$10,000 |
CSR2 Tier Analysis
Analyzing sales by Corn Suitability Rating (CSR2) tiers provides insight into how land quality influences pricing. In Bremer County, higher CSR2 land consistently commands premium prices, though the distribution of sales across tiers can impact overall average values.
2025 CSR2 Tier Breakdown
In 2025, the majority of sales occurred in the highest CSR2 tier, reflecting strong demand for prime agricultural land. The average price for CSR2 75+ land was significantly higher than the other tiers.
| CSR2 Tier | Sales | Avg $/Acre |
|---|---|---|
| CSR2 75+ | 20 | $13,138 |
| CSR2 55–74 | 4 | $11,637 |
| CSR2 <55 | 6 | $7,374 |
2026 YTD CSR2 Tier Breakdown
For 2026 year-to-date, the limited number of sales makes a detailed tier analysis challenging. Both recorded sales fell within the CSR2 55–74 tier, with no sales yet in the highest or lowest tiers.
| CSR2 Tier | Sales | Avg $/Acre |
|---|---|---|
| CSR2 75+ | 0 | N/A |
| CSR2 55–74 | 2 | $9,423 |
| CSR2 <55 | 0 | N/A |
Top Transactions
High-value transactions often highlight specific market strengths or unique property characteristics. The top sales in Bremer County for 2025 and 2026 YTD showcase properties with strong CSR2 ratings and desirable locations.
Top 5 Sales in 2025
| Date | Township | Acres | $/Acre | CSR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5 | Washington Twp | 20.8 | $19,318 | 71.0 |
| Mar 6 | Dayton Twp | 38.63 | $19,250 | 83.4 |
| May 6 | Maxfield Twp | 75.5 | $17,500 | 86.5 |
| Jan 7 | Warren Twp | 98.88 | $17,193 | 85.1 |
| Mar 11 | Fremont Twp | 33.3 | $15,916 | 86.8 |
Top 2 Sales in 2026 YTD
| Date | Township | Acres | $/Acre | CSR2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | Jackson Twp | 194.8 | $10,000 | 72.6 | Dix Est. → Schwab, Matthew |
| Jan 31 | Lafayette Twp | 219.4 | $8,846 | 74.4 | Larchdale Farm LLC → James & Joyce Moss Trustees |
Township Analysis
Farmland values can vary significantly by township, influenced by factors such as soil quality, infrastructure, and local demand. In 2025, several townships in Bremer County demonstrated strong average sale prices.
2025 Township Averages (1+ sales)
| Township | Avg $/Acre |
|---|---|
| Dayton | $15,774 |
| Maxfield | $14,667 |
| Fremont | $13,737 |
| Franklin | $12,935 |
| Washington | $12,110 |
These township averages highlight areas of particular strength within the Bremer County market. Dayton and Maxfield townships, in particular, saw average prices exceeding the county average, suggesting robust local demand or a higher concentration of premium land sales.
The most recent sale in Bremer County was on January 31, 2026, in Lafayette Township, involving 219.4 acres at $8,846 per acre with a CSR2 of 74.4. This transaction, along with the January 15 sale in Jackson Township, provides the initial data points for the 2026 market. While the year-to-date data is limited, these early sales offer a glimpse into the current market sentiment, with average prices slightly below the 2025 county average. The year-over-year change from 2025 to 2026 YTD shows a -20.0% adjustment, but this is based on only two sales and should be interpreted with caution as the market develops throughout the year.
Bremer County's farmland market continues to be dynamic, influenced by both regional and broader agricultural trends. The detailed sales data available through LandSleuth provides critical insights for understanding these movements, offering valuable information for appraisers, lenders, and investors navigating this competitive market.
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For a comprehensive database of courthouse-verified farmland sales and to search for comparable properties in Bremer County and across Iowa, visit LandSleuth.
Written by
greg conrad
LandSleuth publishes courthouse-verified farmland sales data and market analysis for appraisers, lenders, farm managers, and investors across America.
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