Edwards County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Edwards County is located in Illinois with a total population of 6,118. It is the 93rd most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Edwards County is 44.6 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Edwards County is $59,386. This is 27% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $97,500. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Edwards County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Edwards County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.0% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%.