Edwards County Demographics

A map of Edwards County's Population by Race

Edwards County, Illinois has an estimated population of 6,075, a slight decrease from the 6,245 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.7% White, 3.4% Multiracial, 1.5% Hispanic, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Black, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Edwards County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Edwards has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Edwards County, that probability was 7.8% in 2020 and 10.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Edwards County is ranked the 93rd most populous county in Illinois, out of 102 counties. Edwards County was ranked the 92nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Edwards County's White Population

5,755 residents of Edwards County, or 94.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Edwards County is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Edwards County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Edwards County's White population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. White residents' share of Edwards County's population has decreased from 96.0% to 94.7%.

Edwards County is more White than neighboring Wabash County (93.4% White), Richland County (93.4% White), and Posey County (93.2% White). Edwards County is less White than neighboring White County (95.2% White), and Wayne County (95% White).

Edwards County's Black Population

6 residents of Edwards County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Edwards County is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Edwards County ranks 97th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Edwards County's Black population has declined by an estimated 62.5%. Black residents' share of Edwards County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Edwards County is less Black than neighboring Wabash County (0.5% Black), Richland County (0.3% Black), White County (0.6% Black), Wayne County (0.3% Black), and Posey County (0.7% Black).

Edwards County's Asian Population

15 residents of Edwards County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Edwards County is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Edwards County ranks 77th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Edwards County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 28.6%. Asian residents' share of Edwards County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Edwards County is less Asian than neighboring Wabash County (1.6% Asian), Richland County (0.5% Asian), White County (0.3% Asian), Wayne County (0.6% Asian), and Posey County (0.3% Asian).

Edwards County's Hispanic Population

89 residents of Edwards County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Edwards County is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Edwards County ranks 99th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Edwards County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 41.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Edwards County's population has increased from 1.0% to 1.5%.

Edwards County is less Hispanic than neighboring Wabash County (2.1% Hispanic), Richland County (2% Hispanic), White County (1.6% Hispanic), and Wayne County (2.1% Hispanic).

Edwards County's Native American/Other Population

5 residents of Edwards County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Edwards County is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Edwards County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Edwards County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 78.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Edwards County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Edwards County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Wayne County (0% Native American/Other). Edwards County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Richland County (1% Native American/Other), and Posey County (1.4% Native American/Other).

Edwards County's Multiracial Population

205 residents of Edwards County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Edwards County is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Edwards County ranks 101st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Edwards County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 60.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Edwards County's population has increased from 2.0% to 3.4%.

Edwards County is more Multiracial than neighboring Wabash County (2.2% Multiracial), Richland County (2.8% Multiracial), White County (2.2% Multiracial), Wayne County (2% Multiracial), and Posey County (2.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.