Farmer City is located in central Illinois in De Witt County northeast of Decatur about midway between Bloomington and Champaign along Interstate 74 about 5 miles northeast of Clinton Lake. Clinton Lake State Park is about 10 miles from town on the lake's northern shores. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 2,201, an increase of 87 since 1990.

Recreation in the area might include a trip to Moraine Hills State Park, about 15 miles northeast of town, or stay close to home and take in a night of racing at the Farmer City Raceway, a quarter-mile, high-banked oval, dirt track which is located at the fairgrounds.

For those interested in antiques, Farmer City is a burgeoning antique mecca.