Illinois land market for data centers
Chicago is a major internet exchange hub making surrounding counties prime data center territory. Digital Realty, Equinix, and CyrusOne all have large Illinois footprints.
$7,200
Avg. price per acre (agricultural)
3
Top counties for data center interest
10-100x
Premium for data center land vs. farm value
Top Illinois counties for data center land
Based on power infrastructure, fiber connectivity, and development activity, these are the most sought-after counties in Illinois for data center land buyers:
Do not see your county? That does not mean your land is not valuable. Many data center projects are built in areas that were not previously on anyone's radar. Check your specific property for free.
What makes Illinois land valuable to data centers
Data center companies evaluate Illinois land based on six key factors: power proximity, acreage, disaster risk, water access, zoning, and fiber connectivity. Not every property needs perfect scores in all categories, but the combination determines your land's value to a data center buyer.
Illinois landowners who want to sell their property often do not realize how much their land could be worth. Agricultural land that might sell for $7,200 per acre on the open market could be worth 10 to 100 times that amount to a data center developer if it has the right characteristics.
The fastest way to find out is to use our free property analysis tool. Enter your Illinois address and acreage, and we will score your land against what data center companies actually look for. No cost, no obligation, and results come back in under 2 minutes.
Selling land in Illinois: FAQ
How much is land worth in Illinois?
Land values in Illinois vary widely based on location, power access, and acreage. The average price for rural land in Illinois is around $7,200 per acre for general agricultural use. But land that meets data center requirements can sell for 10 to 100 times that amount. Use our free tool to find out what your specific property is worth.
Are data center companies buying land in Illinois?
Yes. Chicago is a major internet exchange hub making surrounding counties prime data center territory. Digital Realty, Equinix, and CyrusOne all have large Illinois footprints. Data center investment across the US topped $3.3 billion in rural land purchases in 2024, and Illinois is part of that market.
What kind of land in Illinois do data centers want?
Data centers look for 20+ acres of flat land near electrical substations in Illinois. Low flood risk, water access, and agricultural or industrial zoning are all factors that increase your land value. The top counties for data center interest in Illinois include Will, DuPage, Kane.
How do I sell my land in Illinois?
Start by getting a free DataAcre property report. Enter your Illinois property details and we will score it against what data center companies look for. If your land qualifies, we connect you directly with verified buyers. The whole process starts with a 2-minute form.
Can I sell farmland in Illinois to a data center?
Yes. Farmland is one of the most common land types data centers buy because it is flat, available in large parcels, and typically affordable. Many counties in Illinois welcome data center development because of the tax revenue and jobs it brings.