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Hancock County, Indiana

Coordinates: 39°49′N 85°46′W / 39.82°N 85.77°W / 39.82; -85.77
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Hancock County
County
Hancock County courthouse in Greenfield
Hancock County courthouse in Greenfield
Map of Indiana highlighting Hancock County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°49′N 85°46′W / 39.82°N 85.77°W / 39.82; -85.77
Country United States
State Indiana
FoundedMarch 1, 1828
Named forJohn Hancock
SeatGreenfield
Largest cityGreenfield
Area
 • Total
307.02 sq mi (795.2 km2)
 • Land306.02 sq mi (792.6 km2)
 • Water1.01 sq mi (2.6 km2)  0.33%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
79,840
 • Density260/sq mi (100/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.hancockcoingov.org
Indiana county number 30

Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of 79,840.[1] The county seat is Greenfield.[2]

Hancock County is included in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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The terrain of Hancock County is low rolling hills, sloping to the south and southwest, carved by drainages. All available area is devoted to agriculture or urban development.[3] The highest point is a small prominence in NW Shirley, at 1,040 ft (320 m) ASL.[4] According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 307.02 square miles (795.2 km2), of which 306.02 square miles (792.6 km2) (or 99.67%) is land and 1.01 square miles (2.6 km2) (or 0.33%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Airport

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History

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Indiana was admitted as a state to the United States on December 11, 1816, although much of its territory was still disputed or held by native peoples at that time. These indigenous claims were quickly reduced and removed by various treaties. The 1818 Treaty with the Delaware Indians brought most of central Indiana into state control, and Madison County was organized on a portion of that area. The lower portion of Madison County was quickly settled, and by the late 1820s the inhabitants were petitioning for a separate county government. Accordingly, a portion of the county was partitioned on March 1, 1828, to form Hancock County. Greenfield was named as the county seat on April 11. The county name recognized John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, who had signed his name prominently to the Declaration of Independence in 1776.[6][7] The county has retained its original borders since its 1828 creation.

Climate and weather

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Greenfield, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[8]
Metric conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Greenfield have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.37 inches (60 mm) in February to 4.85 inches (123 mm) in July.[8]

Government

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See also: Government of Indiana
Hancock County Sheriff's Department
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionHancock County, Indiana, Indiana, United States
Legal jurisdictionAs per operations jurisdiction
General nature
Operational structure
Agency executive
  • Michael Shepherd, Sheriff

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The legislative branch of the county government; controls the county's spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve staggered four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.[9][10]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners carry out the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[9][10]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[10]

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. They are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[10]

Hancock County is part of Indiana's 5th congressional district; Indiana Senate district 28;[11] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 29 and 53.[12]

United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Indiana[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 29,288 65.89% 14,312 32.20% 850 1.91%
2020 28,996 67.40% 12,895 29.97% 1,129 2.62%
2016 25,074 68.76% 8,904 24.42% 2,490 6.83%
2012 22,796 69.41% 9,319 28.37% 728 2.22%
2008 22,008 64.25% 11,874 34.67% 371 1.08%
2004 20,771 74.54% 6,912 24.80% 184 0.66%
2000 15,943 69.47% 6,503 28.34% 504 2.20%
1996 12,907 60.23% 6,123 28.57% 2,398 11.19%
1992 11,072 53.65% 4,752 23.02% 4,815 23.33%
1988 13,374 71.21% 5,355 28.51% 51 0.27%
1984 12,880 73.58% 4,550 25.99% 74 0.42%
1980 12,093 66.67% 5,124 28.25% 921 5.08%
1976 10,072 61.31% 6,191 37.69% 164 1.00%
1972 11,019 77.87% 3,069 21.69% 62 0.44%
1968 7,516 56.23% 3,902 29.19% 1,948 14.57%
1964 6,370 49.03% 6,573 50.59% 50 0.38%
1960 7,543 60.21% 4,930 39.35% 55 0.44%
1956 6,962 59.93% 4,600 39.60% 55 0.47%
1952 6,964 59.94% 4,539 39.07% 116 1.00%
1948 4,721 48.05% 4,948 50.36% 157 1.60%
1944 5,139 51.71% 4,652 46.81% 147 1.48%
1940 5,283 48.98% 5,417 50.23% 85 0.79%
1936 4,174 41.00% 5,962 58.57% 44 0.43%
1932 4,055 40.22% 5,836 57.89% 190 1.88%
1928 4,788 56.49% 3,626 42.78% 62 0.73%
1924 4,063 47.27% 4,364 50.77% 168 1.95%
1920 4,422 46.16% 4,958 51.76% 199 2.08%
1916 2,138 41.56% 2,779 54.02% 227 4.41%
1912 738 14.77% 2,594 51.90% 1,666 33.33%
1908 2,472 43.50% 3,040 53.49% 171 3.01%
1904 2,633 46.39% 2,806 49.44% 237 4.18%
1900 2,295 43.03% 2,930 54.93% 109 2.04%
1896 2,236 43.22% 2,886 55.79% 51 0.99%
1892 1,932 42.65% 2,329 51.41% 269 5.94%
1888 1,986 44.68% 2,376 53.45% 83 1.87%

Education

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Hancock County is served by two library systems, the Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library and Hancock County Public Library.[14]

The county's school districts include:[15]

  • Eastern Hancock County Community School Corporation
  • Greenfield-Central Community Schools
  • Mount Vernon Community School Corporation
  • Southern Hancock County Community School Corporation

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18301,436—
18407,535424.7%
18509,69828.7%
186012,80232.0%
187015,12318.1%
188017,12313.2%
189017,8294.1%
190019,1897.6%
191019,030−0.8%
192017,210−9.6%
193016,605−3.5%
194017,3024.2%
195020,33217.5%
196026,66531.1%
197035,09631.6%
198043,93925.2%
199045,5273.6%
200055,39121.7%
201070,00226.4%
202079,84014.1%
2023 (est.)86,166[16]7.9%
US Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2013[21]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 United States Census the population of Hancock County was 79,840.[22]

Hancock County Racial Composition[22]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 71,106 89%
Black or African American (NH) 2,346 3%
Native American (NH) 121 0.15%
Asian (NH) 734 0.9%
Pacific Islander (NH) 42 0.05%
Other/Mixed (NH) 3,289 4.1%
Hispanic or Latino 2,202 2.75%

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 70,002 people, 26,304 households, and 19,792 families in the county.[23] The population density was 228.8 inhabitants per square mile (88.3/km2). There were 28,125 housing units at an average density of 91.9 per square mile (35.5/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 95.2% white, 2.1% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population.[23] In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were German, 13.9% were Irish, 11.8% were English, and 11.8% were American.[24]

Of the 26,304 households, 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.8% were non-families, and 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 39.1 years.[23]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $69,734. Males had a median income of $53,565 versus $38,042 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,017. About 5.9% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.[25]

Cities and towns

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Townships

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hancock County, Indiana; Hamilton County, Indiana; Hamilton County, Florida; United States". www.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Hancock County IN" (Google Maps - accessed 27 December 2019)
  4. ^ "Hancock County IN" (peakbagger.com - accessed 27 December 2019)
  5. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  6. ^ De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co. pp. 561.
  7. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 148.
  8. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Greenfield IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  11. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  14. ^ "Indiana public library directory" (PDF). Indiana State Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  15. ^ ""2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hancock County, IN" (PDF)" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  16. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  21. ^ "Hancock County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  22. ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hancock County, Indiana".
  23. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  24. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  25. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
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39°49′N 85°46′W / 39.82°N 85.77°W / 39.82; -85.77

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