Hancock County, Iowa


Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,341. The county seat is Garner. 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.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

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

Demographics

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.

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. There were 5,164 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile. 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%. 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. In 2016 the unemployment rate dropped back to 2.2%.

Communities

Cities

Hancock County is divided into sixteen townships:
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Hancock County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
1Forest City City4,151
2† GarnerCity3,129
3BrittCity2,069
4KanawhaCity652
5KlemmeCity507
6CorwithCity309
7Crystal LakeCity250
8WodenCity229
9GoodellCity139
10DuncanCDP131
11MillerCDP60
12HayfieldCDP43
13HutchinsCDP28

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