Hancock County, Iowa

County in Iowa, United States

Not to be confused with Hancock, Iowa.

U.S. county in Iowa

Hancock County

U.S. county

Visitor kiosk at the 148 wind turbine farm

Location within the U.S. state of Iowa

Iowa's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Iowa
Founded| 1851
Named for| John Hancock
Seat| Garner
Largest city| Garner
Area

• Total| 573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Land| 571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Water| 2.0 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 10,795
• Density| 19/sq mi (7.3/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Website| hancockcountyia.gov

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]

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Major highways
* 1.2 Adjacent counties
* 2 History
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2020 census
* 3.2 2010 census
* 3.3 2000 census
* 4 Economy
* 5 Communities
* 5.1 Cities
* 5.2 Census-designated places
* 5.3 Other unincorporated community
* 5.4 Townships
* 5.5 Population ranking
* 6 Politics
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## Geography

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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

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* U.S. Highway 18
* U.S. Highway 69
* Iowa Highway 17

### Adjacent counties

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* Winnebago County (north)
* Cerro Gordo County (east)
* Wright County (south)
* Kossuth County (west)

## History

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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

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1860| 179| | —
1870| 999| | 458.1%
1880| 3,453| | 245.6%
1890| 7,621| | 120.7%
1900| 13,752| | 80.4%
1910| 12,731| | −7.4%
1920| 14,723| | 15.6%
1930| 14,802| | 0.5%
1940| 15,402| | 4.1%
1950| 15,077| | −2.1%
1960| 14,604| | −3.1%
1970| 13,506| | −7.5%
1980| 13,833| | 2.4%
1990| 12,638| | −8.6%
2000| 12,100| | −4.3%
2010| 11,341| | −6.3%
2020| 10,795| | −4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
Population of Hancock County from US census data

### 2020 census

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The 2020 census recorded a population of 10,795 in the county, with a population density of 18.8912/sq mi (7.2939/km2). 95.32% of the population reported being of one race. There were 5,113 housing units, of which 4,585 were occupied.[1]

Hancock County Racial Composition[11] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

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

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,341 in the county, with a population density of 19.8578/sq mi (7.6671/km2). There were 5,330 housing units, of which 4,741 were occupied.[12]

### 2000 census

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2000 Census Age Pyramid for Hancock County

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/km2). There were 5,164 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/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%.[13] 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

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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.[14] In 2016 the unemployment rate dropped back to 2.2%.[15]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Britt
* Corwith
* Crystal Lake
* Forest City (part)
* Garner
* Goodell
* Kanawha
* Klemme
* Woden

### Census-designated places

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* Duncan
* Hayfield
* Hutchins
* Miller

### Other unincorporated community

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* Stilson

### Townships

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Hancock County is divided into sixteen townships:

* Amsterdam
* Avery
* Bingham
* Boone
* Britt
* Concord
* Crystal
* Ell
* Ellington
* Erin
* Garfield
* Liberty
* Madison
* Magor
* Orthel
* Twin Lake

### Population ranking

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

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United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Iowa[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

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

## See also

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* Hancock County Courthouse
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Hancock County, Iowa

## References

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1. ^ a b c "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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hancock County, Iowa".
12. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. ^ Geography of a Recession, The New York Times, March 3, 2009. Accessed March 5, 2009.
15. ^ "Iowa Workforce Development Statistics on unemployment in Iowa".
16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hancock County, Iowa.

* Hancock County, Iowa Official website

Places adjacent to Hancock County, Iowa

|  | Winnebago County |

|
|

|  |
Kossuth County |

Hancock County, Iowa

| Cerro Gordo County
|  |
| Wright County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Hancock County, Iowa, United States

County seat: Garner

Cities|

* Britt
* Corwith
* Crystal Lake
* Forest City‡
* Garner
* Goodell
* Kanawha
* Klemme
* Woden

Map of Iowa highlighting Hancock County

Townships|

* Amsterdam
* Avery
* Bingham
* Boone
* Britt
* Concord
* Crystal
* Ell
* Ellington
* Erin
* Garfield
* Liberty
* Madison
* Magor
* Orthel
* Twin Lake

CDPs|

* Duncan
* Hayfield
* Hutchins
* Miller

Other
unincorporated
communities|

* Denhart
* Stilson

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Iowa

Des Moines (capital)

Topics|

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Largest cities|

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Counties|

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Coordinates: 43°05′00″N 93°44′11″W﻿ / ﻿43.08333°N 93.73639°W﻿ / 43.08333; -93.73639
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