Des Moines County, Iowa Farmland Values and Land Auction Information

The following information is from Iowa State University’s Land Survey that’s released each December. It is only a guide and won’t apply exactly to your farmland.  Last update 12/2023. Data on this page can be up to 12 months old. To see current Iowa land prices and most recent farmland sales results click here

Des Moines County Iowa Farmland Value Profile

Des Moines County Iowa Farmland Value Profile
  • The average value of farmland in Des Moines County is $11,131 per acre which is up $1,060 from 2022 to 2023.
  • The average price of tillable farmland per CSR2 point in Des Moines County is $130.95 for 2023 land auctions.
  • Des Moines County is ranked 71 in the state of Iowa in average dollars per acre for tillable farmland.
  • The highest sale of farmland in Des Moines County in 2023 was $15,600 per acre.
Location Southeast Iowa
County Size 416 sq. miles
Total Acres 192,165
Cropland Acres 155,783
Average Price Per Acre Farmland $11,131
Average Price Per Acre for Southeast, IA $10,460
CSR2 Weighted Average 67
CSR2 Cropland Average 85
State Average CSR2 68.6
Average Price per CSR2 $130.95
Average County Rent $232
Rent Range $198 - $278
Average rent for Southeast, Iowa $252
Rent per CSR2 Point $2.76
Improved Permanent Pasture $79
Unimproved Permanent Pasture $56
Stalk Grazing per Acre $13
Hunting Rights per Acre $16
If you have questions about selling farmland see our Iowa Farmland Sales FAQ or get a Free Farmland Market Analysis.

Towns: Burlington, Mediapolis, West Burlington, Danville, Middletown

Unincorporated Areas: South Augusta, Kingston, Sperry, Yarmouth, Beaverdale, Dodgeville, Garland, Kossuth, Latty, Northfield, Roscoe, Spring Grove, Yarmouth

Townships: Washington, Yellow Springs, Huron, Pleasant Grove, Franklin, Benton, Jackson, Danville, Flint River, Union, Concordia

History: Until 1833, Indians held the land that is now Des Moines County. It was named for the Des Moines River which runs through southeaste Iowa. For some years, a branch of the American Fur Company had a trading post on the present site of the city of Burlington. Immediately upon settling on the land, whites applied for license to maintain a public ferry across the Mississippi River.The U.S. flag was first officially unfurled over Iowa soil at Burlington on August 23, 1805 by Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike during an expedition to explore the Mississippi.Des Moines County was established and originated in 1834. It and Dubuque County were the only counties in existence at this time. Together they contained all of present day Iowa in their borders. In 1836 the Wisconsin Legislature split Des Moines County into Lee, Van Buren, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine and Cook counties. The present boundaries of Des Moines County were established in 1839. Des Moines County was entitled to 10 members of the House of Representatives at Belmont, Wisconsin in October 1836. One of the bills passed at this session selected Burlington as the temporary capital of the Territory.In 1838 the city of Burlington was chosen to become the county seat and the capital of the Territory of Iowa. There was little dispute because Burlington was the only area of significance, and it had been serving as the temporary county seat since 1834.In May of 1839 the first paper, the Burlington Patriot, was published in the county. Its name was changed from Patriot to Hawkeye and back to Patriot and, finally, back to Hawkeye. It is still in circulation and is Iowa’s oldest newspaper. The first court was held in a log cabin on April 13, 1835. It was later held in the “Old Zion” Methodist church, houses and stores. The first county courthouse was built in 1850. Marion Hall was constructed and then leased to the city for use as a courthouse. This two-story brick building was named after the wife of H. W. Star, one of the builders. The courthouse was later moved to Mozart Hall. This building, along with some of the county records, was destroyed by a fire in 1873.At one time (in 1905) the Board of Supervisors consisted of four members, but it was changed to three members in 1906 and remains so today. The present courthouse of Des Moines County was constructed in 1939. Total cost of the project, including land and finishings, was $280,000.

Additional Information: Learn more on the

Des Moines County Iowa Farmland Sales Resources

Selling Land with DreamDirt

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Recent Farmland Sales in this County

11/8/23 61.44 Acres; $9,000/acre; 74.5 CSR2; 95% tillable

3/9/23 49.56 Acres; $13,600/acre; 80.8 CSR2; 83% tillable

2/9/23 137.57 Acres; $13,600/acre; 87.1 CSR2; 95% tillable

2/9/23 136.4 Acres; $15,600/acre; 88.5 CSR2; 100% tillable

12/15/22 87.44 acres 84.41 tillable acres $12,600/acre 83.4CSR2 $151.08/csr2 $1,101,744.00 96.53% tillable

10/27/22 127.13 Acres; $11,500/acre; 80.8 CSR2; 93% tillable

9/29/22 33.54 Acres; $7400/acre; 69.9 CSR2; 85% tillable

9/27/22 76.11 Acres; $9,975/acre; 85.4 CSR2; 89% tillable

9/27/22 51.78 Acres; $13,650/acre; 87.3 CSR2; 93% tillable

9/14/22 45.92 Acres; $17,063/acre; 90.1 CSR2; 90.98$ tillable

8/31/22 100.3 acres; $8,973/acre; 86.7 CSR2; $102.49/CSR2; 87.92% tillable

6/22/22 75.8 acres; $8,453/acre; 61.9 CSR2; $136.56/CSR2; 85.95% tillable

4/5/22 70.31 acres; 52.56 tillable acres; $7,376/acre; 61.2 CSR2; $120.52; $387,682.56; 74.75% tillable

1/19/22 91.99 Acres; 91% tillable; $7,250/acre; 78.7 CSR2; $92.12/CSR2

Jason J. Smith, CAI

Photo of Jason Smith.

Des Moines County Iowa Farmland Sales

(515) 537-6633, [email protected]

Licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa

Des Moines County Farmland Values and Averages

All farmland values for Des Moines County are stated as averages and are not a guarantee of value in any given situation.  If you need a written farmland appraisal you should call us at 855-376-3478 to discuss how we can help you. Farmland prices can change quickly and some information on this website can be up to 12 months old depending on when you view it.  All sale results are dated so you can see the date of the sale however averages are calculated in December of each year and are based on a September to September study.

Learn More About Selling Iowa Land

You can find Farmland For Sale in Des Moines County Iowa at bid.DreamDirt.com.  Need the advice of a qualified farmland professional?  Our professional staff of Iowa auctioneers and land brokers at DreamDirt would be happy to visit with you about your situation and help guide you through the process of making an informed decision about selling farmland.  Want to continue your research?  You can find a wealth of information on our Farmland Sales and Auction Blog.