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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Iqj+71wLRyjq6D0U6ch7+7/qfNV6/5qjEKjVT/EAy0k8PBUS+ssL6Yc3iZQSDR3M
 GlyuhfqSzlQSKg3Teyyitg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000032689-05-000078.txt : 20051201
<SEC-HEADER>0000032689-05-000078.hdr.sgml : 20051201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051201115314
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000032689-05-000078
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051130
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCKINNEY MYRON W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001207871

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03368
		FILM NUMBER:		051236687

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC CO
		STREET 2:		602 JOPLIN STREET PO BOX 127
		CITY:			JOPLIN
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64802
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4176255100

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000032689
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				440236370
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KS
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		602 JOPLIN ST
		CITY:			JOPLIN
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64801
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4176255100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 127
		CITY:			JOPLIN
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64802
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-11-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000032689</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EDE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001207871</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCKINNEY MYRON W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>602 JOPLIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>JOPLIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>64801</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Chairman of the Board</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-11-30</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3693</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.31</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7935</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20733</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Janet S. Watson, Attorney In Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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