Edwards County
IL · Pop. 6,118 · Suburban County
Edwards County is a suburban county in Illinois, spanning 222 square miles with 6,118 residents at a density of 27.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $98,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.47%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F and average winter lows of 24.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 47 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Wabash General Hospital District is 15.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $98,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A median household income of $59,386 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Wabash General Hospital District, is 15.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Edwards County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $98k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47"
- Broadband
- 95.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Wabash General Hospital District, 15.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Edwards County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Edwards County?
- Edwards County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F, and average winter lows of 24.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $98,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wabash General Hospital District is 15.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Illinois
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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