Hancock County, Iowa
County in Iowa, United States

County in Iowa
Hancock County, Iowa
County
Visitor kiosk at the 148 wind turbine farm
Visitor kiosk at the 148 wind turbine farm
Map of Iowa highlighting Hancock County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 43°05′00″N 93°44′11″W / 43.083333333333°N 93.736388888889°W / 43.083333333333; -93.736388888889
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named afterJohn Hancock
SeatGarner
Largest cityGarner
Area
 • Total
573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,795
 • Estimate 
(2024)
10,616 Decrease
 • Density18.9/sq mi (7.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitehancockcountyia.gov
  • Iowa county number 41[1]

Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,795.[2] The county seat is Garner.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

History

Hancock county was established as a result of an election on June 28, 1858.[6] 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

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860179—
1870999458.1%
18803,453245.6%
18907,621120.7%
190013,75280.4%
191012,731−7.4%
192014,72315.6%
193014,8020.5%
194015,4024.1%
195015,077−2.1%
196014,604−3.1%
197013,506−7.5%
198013,8332.4%
199012,638−8.6%
200012,100−4.3%
201011,341−6.3%
202010,795−4.8%
2024 (est.)10,616[7]−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[12]
Population of Hancock County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Hancock County from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,795, a population density of 18.9/sq mi (7.3/km2), and 95.32% of the population reported being of one race.[13]

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.[13]

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.[14]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]

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.[13]

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%.[13]

Hancock County Racial Composition[16]
Race Number Percent
White (NH) 9,813 91%
Black or African American (NH) 76 0.7%
Native American (NH) 22 0.2%
Asian (NH) 25 0.23%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 245 2.3%
Hispanic or Latino 614 5.7%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,341 in the county, with a population density of 19.9/sq mi (7.7/km2). There were 5,330 housing units, of which 4,741 were occupied.[17]

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 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 5,164 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2). 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%.[18] 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

Hancock County courthouse

As of December 2008, the unemployment rate in Hancock County was 9.1%, a sharp rise from 4.0% in December 2007.[19] In 2016 the unemployment rate dropped back to 2.2%.[20]

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.[2] † county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Forest City (partially in Winnebago County) City 4,285
2 † Garner City 3,065
3 Britt City 2,044
4 Kanawha City 658
5 Klemme City 441
6 Corwith City 266
7 Crystal Lake City 253
8 Woden City 188
9 Goodell City 140
10 Duncan CDP 57
11 Miller CDP 50
12 Hayfield CDP 41
13 Hutchins CDP 22

Politics

United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Iowa[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1896 1,975 65.64% 1,007 33.47% 27 0.90%
1900 2,186 71.32% 827 26.98% 52 1.70%
1904 2,112 78.40% 517 19.19% 65 2.41%
1908 1,750 67.15% 804 30.85% 52 2.00%
1912 860 34.30% 710 28.32% 937 37.38%
1916 1,726 64.43% 913 34.08% 40 1.49%
1920 3,617 80.84% 725 16.20% 132 2.95%
1924 3,183 59.62% 550 10.30% 1,606 30.08%
1928 3,114 61.12% 1,933 37.94% 48 0.94%
1932 2,355 37.66% 3,822 61.11% 77 1.23%
1936 2,585 39.00% 3,930 59.28% 114 1.72%
1940 3,632 50.63% 3,514 48.99% 27 0.38%
1944 3,114 51.87% 2,855 47.56% 34 0.57%
1948 2,802 46.31% 3,096 51.17% 153 2.53%
1952 5,115 71.26% 2,053 28.60% 10 0.14%
1956 4,305 60.51% 2,803 39.40% 6 0.08%
1960 4,179 60.24% 2,757 39.74% 1 0.01%
1964 2,269 37.00% 3,857 62.89% 7 0.11%
1968 3,544 59.57% 2,131 35.82% 274 4.61%
1972 3,706 60.47% 2,349 38.33% 74 1.21%
1976 3,127 50.54% 2,975 48.08% 85 1.37%
1980 3,681 60.42% 1,918 31.48% 493 8.09%
1984 3,362 56.62% 2,539 42.76% 37 0.62%
1988 2,731 48.83% 2,831 50.62% 31 0.55%
1992 2,428 41.82% 2,175 37.46% 1,203 20.72%
1996 2,353 44.32% 2,399 45.19% 557 10.49%
2000 2,988 54.95% 2,281 41.95% 169 3.11%
2004 3,368 57.04% 2,484 42.07% 53 0.90%
2008 3,016 50.86% 2,805 47.30% 109 1.84%
2012 3,317 55.98% 2,521 42.55% 87 1.47%
2016 3,977 67.74% 1,587 27.03% 307 5.23%
2020 4,390 71.13% 1,683 27.27% 99 1.60%
2024 4,336 73.01% 1,523 25.64% 80 1.35%

Education

School districts include:[22]

Former school districts:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 148.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hancock County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  13. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hancock County, Iowa".
  17. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ Geography of a Recession, The New York Times, March 3, 2009. Accessed March 5, 2009.
  20. ^ "Iowa Workforce Development Statistics on unemployment in Iowa".
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  22. ^ a b Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hancock County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d e Geography Division (November 28, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hancock County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
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43°05′00″N 93°44′11″W / 43.08333°N 93.73639°W / 43.08333; -93.73639

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