County · Illinois
Edwards County, Illinois
Edwards County, Illinois. Edwards County had 5,898 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 17047.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,898
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,245 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,075
Median household income
$60,519
±$3,712 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$100,000
±$9,157 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$811
±$49 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Edwards County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,245 residents in Edwards County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,898 for July 1, 2025, down 5.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,075 over 222 square miles of land.
| Measure | Edwards County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,075 | 12,694,798 | −380 |
| Households | 2,666±82 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.07 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,045±18 | 5,457,452 | −156 |
Edwards County's population since 2000
From 6,971 in 2000 to 5,898 in 2025: down 15.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Edwards County?
Edwards County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Albion with 1,843 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Albion | 1,971 | $56,500 |
|---|---|---|
| West Salem | 786 | $49,821 |
| Grayville | 1,550 | $46,319 |
| Bone Gap | 181 | $51,042 |
| BrownsGEOID 1708979 | 139 | $57,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Edwards County?
The median resident of Edwards County is 44.7 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 22.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.4%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Edwards County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7±0.4 | 39.0 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±0.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.6%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% | 18.8% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.7%±0.7 pts | 58.1% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 20.2%±2.7 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0%±1.8 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.9%±1.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.9%±2.3 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.7 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±1.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Edwards County earn?
Half of Edwards County's 2,666 households earn less than $60,519 a year (±$3,712), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $62,864 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Edwards County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,519±$3,712 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,364±$7,095 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,238±$3,099 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.5%±3.8 pts | 11.8% | +6.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.1%±6.1 pts | 15.1% | +7.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.1%±3.4 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1%±3.1 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Edwards County?
Owners occupy 79.3% of Edwards County's occupied homes and renters 20.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $100,000 by its owner (±$9,157). The median renter pays $811 a month including utilities, and 33.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Edwards County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $100,000±$9,157 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $811±$49 | $1,274 | +$202 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.4%±13.2 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,065±$94 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.3%±3.0 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,045±18 | 5,457,452 | −156 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±4.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.5%±3.6 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.7%±3.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.7%±2.9 pts | 20.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Edwards County get to work?
78.2% of Edwards County's workers drive alone and 4.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Edwards County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.1%±2.2 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6%±2.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.2%±4.0 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.7%±3.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±2.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.8%±1.8 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.4 min±2.0 | 27.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Edwards County's census tracts?
Edwards County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,167 (Tract 9570) to $65,625 (Tract 9569).
| Tract 956917047956900 | 1,987±176 | $65,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 957017047957000 | 1,990±166 | $59,167 |
| Tract 957117047957100 | 2,098±155 | $59,306 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Edwards County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 93rd of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 96th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 77th of 102 |
| Median household income | 82nd of 102 |
| Median home value | 90th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 51st of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 95th of 102 |
| Median age | 18th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Edwards County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.