Edwardsville
RANK #143 / 996 NAT · #14 / 28 IL · POP 265,512
1YR FORECAST: +3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
Madison County, Illinois, is often recognized for its historical significance, particularly as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Camp Dubois in Wood River. Located directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, the county offers a blend of suburban and more rural communities. Commuting to St. Louis is a common practice, facilitated by major interstates and the Madison County Transit system, which also provides extensive local bus services and a vast network of bikeways. The county features diverse natural scenery, from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi to prairie landscapes, with numerous parks and trails for outdoor recreation.
Life in Madison County appeals to families and professionals, with communities like Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and Troy often cited for their quality of life. The economy is shaped by its proximity to a major metropolitan area and its historical industrial roots. Recent economic activity reflects investment in sectors such as logistics, energy, and advanced manufacturing, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements. Educational opportunities are available through public school districts and institutions like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Center Campuses (Proposed)
Multiple Developers (e.g., Cloverleaf Infrastructure)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
IDOT Highway and Multimodal Program
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$720M | Planned |
|
Gateway Commerce Center & Lakeview Commerce Park Expansion
Multiple (e.g., Amazon, FedEx, P&G)
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Utility-Scale Battery Storage (MISO Zone 4 Allocation)
Illinois Power Agency (IPA) Procurements
|
$450M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Madison County ranks #143 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 86/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.6% and a median household income of $71,759 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Madison County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $159,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.45 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $938/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Madison County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved +4.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.47% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Madison County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.