Hancock County, Iowa

Not to be confused with Hancock, Iowa.

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]

Hancock County
County
Visitor kiosk at the 148 wind turbine farm
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°05′00″N 93°44′11″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	1851
Named after	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
• Estimate  (2023)	10,615
• Density	19/sq mi (7.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	hancockcountyia.gov

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

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

Adjacent counties

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

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

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
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%
2023 (est.)	10,615	[6]	−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[11]

Population of Hancock County from US census data

2020 census

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

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^[12]

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

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.^[13]

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%.^[14] 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.^[15] In 2016 the unemployment rate dropped back to 2.2%.^[16]

Communities

Cities

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

Census-designated places

• Duncan
• Hayfield
• Hutchins
• Miller

Other unincorporated community

• Stilson

Townships

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

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

United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Iowa^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	4,336	73.01%	1,523	25.64%	80	1.35%
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%

Education

School districts include:^[18]

• Algona Community School District
• Belmond-Klemme Community School District
• Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District
• Forest City Community School District
• Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Community School District
• West Fork Community School District
• West Hancock Community School District

Former school districts:

• Corwith-Wesley Community School District,^[19] dissolved on July 1, 2015.^[20]
• Lu Verne Community School District,^[18] consolidated into Algona CSD on July 1, 2023.^[20]
• Sheffield Chapin Meservey Thornton Community School District (SCMT),^[19] consolidated into West Fork CSD on July 1, 2011.^[20]
• Titonka Consolidated School District,^[19] consolidated into Algona CSD on July 1, 2014.^[20]
• Ventura Community School District,^[19] consolidated into Garner-Hayfield-Ventura on July 1, 2015.^[20]
• Woden-Crystal Lake Community School District,^[19] consolidated into Forest City on July 1, 2013, with a portion going to West Fork.^[20]

See also

• Iowa portal

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