Edsbyn was first mentioned in 1276, in a document listing the farmers in the nearby town of Alfta, where it is written as Edhe. The suffix "-byn" wouldn't emerge until the late middle ages.

During the 16th century, Edsbyn was already the biggest settlement in the current Ovanåker Parish, with 24 independent farmers in 1588. Tax records from that year also mention a goldsmith and a tailor, suggesting that the village was well off. In 1639, Edsbyn and the nearby settlement of Ovanåker, where a chapel was constructed in 1622, split from Alfta Parish to form Ovanåker Parish. Tough conditions during the late 17th century, caused by high taxes, the conscription of villagers, and several years of bad harvests, led to a stagnating population, with it being the same in 1682 as 100 years prior. During the 18th century, an expansion of agriculture led to a initially slow, but significant rise of population in the late 1700's. In 1779, the population of the parish had increased to 1356 people. The primary industry during this time was still agriculture, with the primary crops being rye, barley and peas and to some extent oats. The main concerns and threats were frost and flooding, since the majority of farmland was close to the Voxnan River

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Edsbyn, along with Alfta and other settlements in the area, used to have rail service along the Bollnäs–Orsa Railway. It was completed in January 1900 as a means of transporting forestry products from the area, with passenger service following, operated by SJ. During the 1960s, an improved road network took over large amounts of both passenger and cargo traffic that used to be carried by rail. This led to a reduction in, and later the suspension of passenger service on September 1 1971. Limited freight service continued until 2004. ^[2] Maintenance on the line ceased on December 13 2015. ^[3]

Inlandsbanan have expressed interest in reopening the line for freight, more specifically lumber and limestone. ^[4] A cost estimate conducted in 2011 put the cost at atleast 60 million SEK. ^[5] Politicians in the municipalities of Ovanåker, Bollnäs, Rättvik, Orsa and Mora have also expressed interest in the line reopening. ^[6]

Today, almost all traffic to Edsbyn occurs via road. Länsväg 301 provides the main connection to nearby towns such as Alfta, Bollnäs and Rättvik.

Edsbyn is served by three local bus lines, 100,^[7] 39 ^[8] and 172,^[9] which are all operated by Xtrafik, the public transport authority in Gävleborg County.

Mohlins Bussar operates a twice weekly intercity bus service to Edsbyn from Stockholm. ^[10]

Annat