Edwardsville was surveyed in 1869 on land formerly belonging to Half Moon, an Indian chief of the Delawares.[4] It was named for John H. Edwards, a general passenger agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, who later served as a justice of the peace and state senator from Ellis County, Kansas.[5][6]
Of the 1,682 households, 39.2% had children under the age of 18; 46.7% were married couples living together; 22.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 23.4% of households consisted of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10] The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.[14] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 16.0% of the population.[15]
25.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males.[10] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 102.1 males.[10]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $74,063 (with a margin of error of +/- $15,784) and the median family income was $79,048 (+/- $14,162).[16] Males had a median income of $53,031 (+/- $10,476) versus $37,616 (+/- $4,386) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $41,081 (+/- $2,268).[17] Approximately, 5.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those ages 65 or over.[18][19]
2010 census
As of the census[20] of 2010, there were 4,340 people, 1,632 households, and 1,107 families residing in the city. The population density was 480.1 inhabitants per square mile (185.4/km2). There were 1,716 housing units at an average density of 189.8 per square mile (73.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.6% White, 6.0% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of the population.
There were 1,632 households, of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.06.
The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 25.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,146 people, 1,568 households, and 1,091 families residing in the city. The population density was 461.1 inhabitants per square mile (178.0/km2). There were 1,651 housing units at an average density of 183.6 per square mile (70.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.33% White, 4.94% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 1.76% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.78% of the population.
There were 1,568 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,875, and the median income for a family was $48,225. Males had a median income of $37,806 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,887. About 7.3% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city of Edwardsville maintains a full scope of emergency services. It has a police department with officers on-duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The fire department serves the citizens and visitors of the cities of Edwardsville, Bonner Springs, and western Kansas City. It is staffed by 17 full-time, 7 part-time personnel, and 5 volunteers. The department has fire code inspectors, and provides advance life support through its two ambulances.
