Eau Claire &
Menomonie

Everything from country homes on 5 acres to working dairy farms on 300 acres to recreational hunting parcels in the river bottoms. The diversity of property types is one of the best things about this market. You can find tillable farmland in the townships around Eau Claire, timber ground in the bluffs along the Chippewa, and hobby farm setups in Dunn County that would cost twice as much closer to the metro. Browse the property types on our Farm Properties and Land & Acreage pages for more detail.

Tillable farmland in Eau Claire and Dunn Counties typically ranges from $5,000 to $9,000 per acre depending on soil class, drainage, and location. Top-rated soils closer to the river bottoms command the higher end. Pasture ground is more affordable, usually $4,000 to $6,000 per acre. Prices have been stable to slightly rising as out-of-state buyers discover the value compared to other parts of the upper Midwest. Every farm is different, so call me for a specific valuation on your property.

Yes. Western Wisconsin is one of the best whitetail hunting regions in the Midwest, and the Eau Claire and Menomonie area sits right in the middle of it. The mix of agricultural fields, river bottom timber, and hardwood ridges creates excellent deer habitat. Turkey, grouse, and waterfowl hunting are also strong. Dunn County specifically has a reputation for quality deer hunting on both private and public land. For a deeper dive, read my guide on selling hunting land in Wisconsin.

It varies by location. The river valleys (Chippewa and Red Cedar) have excellent silt-loam and sandy-loam soils that produce strong corn, soybean, and alfalfa yields. Upland areas and the bluffs tend to be more clay-loam with lower productivity but better for pasture and timber. Dunn County's soil is generally considered good to very good for agriculture, with Class II and III soils covering most of the tillable acreage. If soil quality matters for your purchase, I can help pull NRCS soil maps and walk the fields with you.

Most rural properties in this area run on well water and septic systems. Wells in Dunn County generally produce good quality water, but depth varies widely from 50 feet in the valleys to 300 feet in the uplands. Always test the water before closing. Septic systems must be inspected and compliant with county health codes. Some townships have rural water available, but many do not. Electricity is widely available, but bringing power to a remote building site can cost thousands. Fiber internet is expanding but not everywhere yet. These are not deal-breakers, but they are checks you need to make before you buy.

Property taxes in Eau Claire and Dunn Counties are reasonable compared to metro areas. Wisconsin offers the Farmland Preservation Credit and Managed Forest Law programs that can significantly reduce taxes on qualifying agricultural and timber land. Tillable farmland typically taxes at its agricultural use value rather than fair market value, which keeps it affordable for working farms. Recreational parcels without agricultural use credits are taxed at a higher rate. I always walk sellers and buyers through the tax implications before we move forward so there are no surprises.

Eau Claire is about 90 minutes east of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro on I-94. Menomonie is about 75 minutes. That is close enough for a day trip to catch a Vikings game or stock up at Costco, but far enough that you get real rural living without metro prices. Many of my buyers specifically choose this area because it is far enough from the city to feel like the country but close enough that they can get to the airport in an hour and a half.

Corn and soybeans are the dominant row crops in both counties. Alfalfa and other hay crops do well for livestock operations. Small grains like oats and winter wheat are grown in rotation. The area also produces specialty crops through local farms, and the craft brewing and distilling scene has created demand for malting barley and rye. For timber, the hardwood forests produce oak, maple, hickory, and cherry. The growing season runs roughly mid-April to mid-October.