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Southwest Wisconsin Land Market

If you only followed the headlines, you might expect the land market to be struggling. But that's not what we are seeing on the ground here in Southwest Wisconsin.

What We're Seeing in the Market

There's no question that higher borrowing costs have made purchasing land more challenging, particularly for first-time buyers and those relying heavily on financing. Some of those buyers have stepped to the sidelines. 

There's another group that remains very active. 

We're continuing to work with financially capable buyers, many purchasing with cash or bringing substantial equity from existing real estate and other investments. These buyers aren't nearly as sensitive to interest rates, and when the right property is listed, they're ready to act. 

Well-positioned, quality properties sell efficiently and achieve prices at the upper end of the market. 

Now, that's not to suggest everything is selling immediately or that buyers are willing to pay any price. 

Buyers are being selective when it comes to property characteristics and how they perceive value. When a property doesn't check the right boxes or the asking price doesn't align with their expectations, they're not afraid to pass. 

The takeaway? There are capable buyers actively looking for quality land in Southwest Wisconsin. Pricing and effective marketing are key to attracting that buyer. 

By the numbers

Here's a look at what vacant land has been selling for across Southwest Wisconsin over the past 6-months:  
 
Southwest Wisconsin Vacant Land Sales | April–October 2026 

County

Sales

Median Price/Acre

Middle 50% (Price/Acre)

Crawford County

9

$6,994

$6,683–$7,549

Grant County

12

$7,066

$6,283–$8,000

Green County

2

$8,571

$8,273–$8,869

Iowa County

6

$6,874

$5,260–$8,506

Lafayette County

1

$8,373

Not enough data

Richland County

14

$7,608

$7,143–$7,969

Sauk County

15

$10,400

$9,492–$11,323

Vernon County

3

$10,000

$8,822–$10,174

Methodology: The middle 50% represents the 25th through 75th percentiles of individual vacant land transactions, calculated using sale price divided by acreage. 
 
Source: Southwest Wisconsin on-market vacant land sales of 40 acres or more. 

A Few Observations 

1. Sauk County stands out with a median sale price above $10,000 per acre, supported by 15 transactions. Vernon County's median is also around $10,000 per acre, but with only three sales, it's difficult to draw firm conclusions about values. 

2. Richland County has a relatively tight range. With 14 transactions, the middle 50% sold between $7,143 and $7,969 per acre. 

3. Iowa County illustrates why property characteristics matter. Three properties that had wetlands or development restrictions pulled the countywide median down to $6,874 per acre. Excluding those sales increases the median to $8,591 per acre, with the remaining three transactions selling between $8,250 and $9,375 per acre. 

4. Sample sizes matter. Some counties had very few transactions during this six-month period. Looking back over a longer timeframe can provide a more complete picture of land values. 

What Does This Mean for Your Property?

Of course, these are broad figures. As the Iowa County example illustrates, two properties in the same county can sell for very different prices depending on their characteristics. 

That's why we put together a quarterly email update for landowners. We want to give you a way to see what land is selling for near your property, rather than relying on regional averages.