labor, concerning peace, special elections, tax levies, annual appropriations, gaming, local improvements, establishing a prison, fines, traffic laws, etc. Thirty-one ordinances were approved by the end of 1915. In 1951 a much needed water system was put into operation. Water was supplied from the shale pit and a lake. In 1962 a sewer system was completed, and outhouses finally went away for good. In March 2002 the village of West Salem signed a 40-year water purchase contract with RE Water Corporation. A 150,000 water storage tank was erected at the water plant. In 1957 the West Salem Centennial Committee used funds to purchase land to be used as a park and baseball recreation area since the prior area was now being used for industrial development. The new park was called Centennial Park. The area has been used for youth baseball, as well as for circuses and other community events. One of the most popular events is the annual fireworks display held around the 4th of July every year and sponsored by the West Salem Volunteer Fire Department. In 1965 property was bought for a village hall at 106 East South Street. A building was erected housing the volunteer fire department and the office for the clerk and treasurer, as well as a meeting room and the police department. In 1998 property just east of the village hall was purchased and the building was extended. In 1967, the West Salem Public Library opened their doors. West Salem celebrated its centennial in 1957 and its sesquicentennial on June 29-July 1 of 2007. Geography West Salem is located in northeastern Edwards County, northeast of Albion, the county seat. Illinois State Route 130 passes just west of the village. According to the 2010 census, West Salem has a total area of , all land. Demographics As of the 2020 census there were 786 people, 332 households, and 218 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 396 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 96.44% White, 0.25% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population. There were 332 households, out of which 60.54% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.59% were married couples living