Edwards
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Edwards County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the home price against local income is in the bottom 3% of American counties (1.3 years of income), population growth is in the bottom 5% of American counties (-1.5% a year), and the median home price is in the bottom 8% of American counties ($128K). Within Illinois it ranks 11th of 102 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Edwards County, Illinois. 6,182 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -32).

Illinois exempts all retirement income from its flat 4.95% income tax: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are untaxed. It offsets that with the second-highest property taxes in the country and an estate tax that starts at $4 million, well below the federal threshold. Chicago and the collar counties hold two-thirds of the population; downstate is a different housing market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $60,784 a year, higher than 51% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,778. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 78% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,009 a year.

Home

The median home costs $128K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $718 a month. Property tax is 1.46% of home value, roughly $1,350 a year on that median home, higher than 84% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 52% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.1 years, shorter than 59% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.6 per 10,000 people. 6.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.40 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 92% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 70 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Illinois law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 66 and lows near 47, warmer than 54% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 15 out of 100, safer than 85% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 164 Mbps down, slower than 65% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.