Edwards County, Illinois

Founding: 1814
Parent counties: Gallatin and Madison

Namesake: Ninian Edwards, Illinois governor
Seat: Palmyra (1814–1821); Albion (1821–)

Land area: 222 square miles

Population (2020): 6,245

Population (historic): 3,444 (1820); 3,524 (1850); 7,565 (1870); 10,345 (1900); 8,303 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1820–1900; 1930–1950; 1970s

Subdivisions: Two cities; three villages; eight precincts

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 778 (24.4%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 34.1%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 6.2%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 7%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 10.3%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $1,004
Average outbuilding value (1930): $759

Average farmhouse size (1940): 5.3 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,186
Average farm size (1920): 106.4 acres
Sources of settlement: England, Indiana, Kentucky, Germany, and Ohio
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Albion

Namesake: A poetic reference to the isle of Great Britain

Founding: 1818 (platting); 1819 (post office); 1869 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 1,971

Population (historic): 365 (1850); 613 (1870); 937 (1890); 1,281 (1910); 1,666 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1950; 1970s; 2000s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 213 (21%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. William Woods Farm (c. 1860). 708 Road 700 East. Italianate.
2. Francis Greathouse Inn (c. 1855). State Route 130, south of Road 1850 North. Razed.

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