Poweshiek County Iowa Farmland Market — 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Early Outlook
LandSleuth — National Farmland Sales Database
Poweshiek County recorded 41 farmland sales in 2025 averaging $11,050 per acre, a +2.0% gain from 2024, with a January 2026 sale at $12,000 per acre suggesting the Central Iowa market is holding steady into the new year.
Poweshiek County sits at the heart of Central Iowa's productive farmland belt, and its 2025 market reflected the measured stability that has characterized the region over the past two years. The county recorded 41 courthouse-verified sales averaging $11,050 per acre — a modest +2.0% gain from 2024's $10,831 average — continuing a gradual appreciation trend that has seen values climb from $8,902 per acre in 2021 to their current level. The county's 2025 performance stands in contrast to some neighboring Central Iowa counties that experienced more pronounced swings, suggesting a market with a stable buyer base and consistent transaction volume.
The early 2026 data, while limited to a single sale, provides an encouraging signal. A 39-acre Union township parcel sold for $12,000 per acre in January 2026 — 8.6% above the 2025 average — suggesting that buyer demand has carried over from the prior year's strong finish. The December 2025 transaction at $18,721 per acre in Sheridan township set a high-water mark for the county and demonstrated that Poweshiek's best ground can command prices competitive with the state's most productive markets.
Year-by-Year Price Summary
| Year | Sales | Avg $/Acre | Median $/Acre | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | $8,902 | — | +25.3% |
| 2022 | 10 | $7,818 | — | -12.2% |
| 2023 | 21 | $10,416 | — | +33.2% |
| 2024 | 31 | $10,831 | — | +4.0% |
| 2025 | 41 | $11,050 | $10,100 | +2.0% |
| 2026 (YTD) | 1 | $12,000 | — | +8.6% |
2025 Market Analysis
The 41 sales recorded in Poweshiek County during 2025 reflect a market with meaningful quality differentiation. Prime ground (CSR2 75+) averaged $14,589 per acre across 10 sales — a $3,188 premium over the good-ground average of $11,401. Fair-ground parcels (CSR2 below 55) averaged $7,843 across 13 sales, creating a $6,746 per acre spread between the county's best and most modest ground. The median of $10,100 per acre, meaningfully below the mean of $11,050, confirms that the high-end transactions are pulling the average upward — a pattern consistent with a market where prime ground is scarce and competitively bid.
The year's standout transactions were concentrated in the Sheridan and Sugar Creek townships. The December Sheridan sale — 155.6 acres at $18,721 per acre for a CSR2 84.0 parcel — was the county's highest $/acre transaction of 2025 and one of the highest in the county's recorded history. The September Sugar Creek sale at $18,600 per acre for a 78.8-acre parcel followed closely. Chester township led in volume with four 2025 sales averaging $13,193 per acre, while Malcom and Warren townships also produced strong results above $12,000 per acre.
CSR2 Tier Breakdown — 2025
| Tier | CSR2 Range | Sales | Avg $/Acre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Ground | CSR2 75+ | 10 | $14,589 |
| Good Ground | CSR2 55–74 | 18 | $11,401 |
| Fair Ground | CSR2 <55 | 13 | $7,843 |
Top Transactions — 2025
| Date | Township | Acres | $/Acre | Total | CSR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19 | Sheridan | 155.6 | $18,721 | $2,995,300 | 84.0 |
| Sep 17 | Sugar Creek | 78.8 | $18,600 | $1,488,000 | 71.1 |
| Oct 22 | Chester | 120.0 | $16,500 | $1,980,000 | 82.0 |
Township Analysis
Chester township led Poweshiek County in 2025 transaction volume with four sales averaging $13,193 per acre, making it the county's most active submarket. Malcom and Warren townships followed with averages above $12,000 per acre, while the Sheridan and Sugar Creek townships produced the year's highest $/acre transactions. The geographic distribution of high-value sales across multiple townships suggests that Poweshiek's prime ground is not concentrated in a single area — buyers are competing for quality acres throughout the county's agricultural core.
Market Outlook
Poweshiek County's farmland market is well-positioned heading into 2026. The consistent appreciation trend of the past three years — +33% in 2023, +4% in 2024, +2% in 2025 — reflects a market that is growing steadily without the volatility seen in some neighboring counties. The January 2026 sale at $12,000 per acre provides an early positive signal, and the county's strong 2025 finish with multiple transactions above $16,000 per acre suggests that buyer appetite for quality ground remains intact. The full 2026 picture will depend on commodity prices and the availability of quality listings through the spring selling season.
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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