Edmonson county was formed in 1826. It is located in the Pennyrile and Western Coal Field regions of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 412 to 900 feet above sea level. In 2010 the county population was 12,161 in a land area of 302.88 square miles, an average of 40.2 people per square mile.

The county seat is Brownsville.

Most of Mammoth Cave National Park is within Edmonson county.