Not to be confused with Hancock, Iowa.
Hancock County, Iowa
CountyHancock County
StateIowa
Ex imageHancock County Wind Energy Center visitor kiosk 3059998289 e60b6b5a09 o.jpg
Ex image size250px
Ex image capVisitor kiosk at the 148 wind turbine farm
Founded year1851
Seat wlGarner
Largest city wlGarner
Area total573 sq mi
Area land571 sq mi
Area water2.0 sq mi
Area percentage0.4
Population as of2020
Population total10795
Pop est as of2025
Population est10528
Time zoneCentral
Webhttps://hancockcountyia.gov/
District4th
Named forJohn Hancock

Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,795.[1] The county seat is Garner.[2] The county was founded on January 15, 1851, and named in honor of John Hancock, a leader of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.4%) is water.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

History

Hancock county was established as a result of an election on June 28, 1858.[5] At the time two townships, Avery and Madison, were also established. Soon after a courthouse was built in Garner, Iowa that continues to be the county seat.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,795, a population density of , and 95.32% of the population reported being of one race.[6]

The median age was 45.4 years, 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 24.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 100.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.5 males age 18 and over.[6]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.3% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.7% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.7% of the population.[7]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[8]

There were 4,585 households in the county, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 54.9% were married-couple households, 18.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[6]

There were 5,113 housing units, of which 4,585 were occupied and 10.3% were vacant. Among the occupied units, 79.9% were owner-occupied and 20.1% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.[6]

Hancock County Racial Composition[9]
RaceNumberPercent
White (NH)9,81391%
Black or African American (NH)760.7%
Native American (NH)220.2%
Asian (NH)250.23%
Pacific Islander (NH)00%
Other/Mixed (NH)2452.3%
Hispanic or Latino6145.7%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,341 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,330 housing units, of which 4,741 were occupied.[10]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 12,100 people, 4,795 households, and 3,375 families in the county. The population density was 21 /mi2. There were 5,164 housing units at an average density of 9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.70% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. 2.49%.[11] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 4,795 households 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.50% of households were one person and 13.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 26.50% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.

The median household income was $37,703 and the median family income was $44,248. Males had a median income of $29,452 versus $20,376 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,957. About 5.20% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.90% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

As of December 2008, the unemployment rate in Hancock County was 9.1%, a sharp rise from 4.0% in December 2007.[12] In 2016 the unemployment rate dropped back to 2.2%.[13]

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated community

Townships

Hancock County is divided into sixteen townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Hancock County.[1] † county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
(2020 Census)		Population
(2024 Estimate)
1Forest City (partially in Winnebago County)City4,2854,332
2† GarnerCity3,0653,040
3BrittCity2,0442,056
4KanawhaCity658665
5KlemmeCity441443
6CorwithCity266269
7Crystal LakeCity253265
8WodenCity188182
9GoodellCity140138
10DuncanCDP5750
11HayfieldCDP4146
12MillerCDP5041
13HutchinsCDP2217

Education

School districts include:[14]

Former school districts:

See also

References

  1. ^ "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 148
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ Story of Hancock County Court House, Hancock County Iowa. A project published by the Garner Lions Club, 1944. Authors included H. L. Ollenburg, E. Elling, J. Sprole, F. Zeiger, and C. Whitney.
  6. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  8. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  9. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hancock County, Iowa"
  10. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ Geography of a Recession, The New York Times, March 3, 2009. Accessed March 5, 2009.
  13. ^ "Iowa Workforce Development Statistics on unemployment in Iowa"
  14. ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hancock County, IA. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
  15. ^ "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Geography Division (November 28, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hancock County, IA. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list