County · Iowa
Hancock County, Iowa
Hancock County, Iowa. Hancock County had 10,528 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 13 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19081.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,528
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,795 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,671
Median household income
$70,601
±$3,185 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$141,400
±$15,613 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$736
±$26 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Hancock County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,795 residents in Hancock County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,528 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,671 over 571 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hancock County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,671 | 3,210,507 | −131 |
| Households | 4,673±123 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,116±28 | 1,437,699 | −217 |
Hancock County's population since 2000
From 12,100 in 2000 to 10,528 in 2025: down 13.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Hancock County?
Hancock County holds 13 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Garner with 3,029 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Garner | 3,065 | $70,726 |
|---|---|---|
| Britt | 2,044 | $72,943 |
| Kanawha | 658 | $68,250 |
| KlemmeGEOID 1941655 | 441 | $59,256 |
| Forest City | 4,285 | $69,205 |
| Corwith | 266 | $55,313 |
| Crystal LakeGEOID 1917670 | 253 | $66,875 |
| Woden | 188 | $50,000 |
| GoodellGEOID 1931575 | 140 | $87,813 |
| DuncanGEOID 1922710 | 57 | not published |
| MillerGEOID 1952140 | 50 | not published |
| HayfieldGEOID 1935490 | 41 | not published |
| HutchinsGEOID 1937875 | 22 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Hancock County?
The median resident of Hancock County is 44.6 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 23.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.0%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hancock County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6±0.4 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.9%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.0% | 7.3% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.1%±0.8 pts | 82.3% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.4%±1.1 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.3%±1.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8%±1.5 pts | 5.0% | +2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.4%±2.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.5%±3.2 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4%±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±2.1 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Hancock County earn?
Half of Hancock County's 4,673 households earn less than $70,601 a year (±$3,185), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $76,009 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $5,408 after inflation. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hancock County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,601±$3,185 | $75,059 | −$5,408 |
| Mean household income | $86,692±$7,368 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,092±$3,155 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2%±2.3 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.6%±5.0 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±1.8 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4%±2.3 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Hancock County?
Owners occupy 82.5% of Hancock County's occupied homes and renters 17.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $141,400 by its owner (±$15,613). The median renter pays $736 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hancock County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $141,400±$15,613 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $736±$26 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8%±9.0 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,182±$62 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.5%±2.8 pts | 71.7% | +5.4 pts |
| Housing units | 5,116±28 | 1,437,699 | −217 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.2%±3.3 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.4%±2.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.2%±3.6 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Hancock County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Hancock County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Hancock County get to work?
78.1% of Hancock County's workers drive alone and 7.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.9%.
| Measure | Hancock County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.2%±2.4 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1%±3.8 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±2.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±1.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.1%±2.1 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.1 min±1.7 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Hancock County's census tracts?
Hancock County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,027 (Tract 2704) to $74,659 (Tract 2702).
| Tract 270119081270100 | 3,817±205 | $70,826 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 270219081270200 | 2,409±225 | $74,659 |
| Tract 270319081270300 | 2,417±211 | $72,708 |
| Tract 270419081270400 | 2,028±210 | $66,027 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hancock County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 69th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 81st of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 75th of 99 |
| Median household income | 55th of 99 |
| Median home value | 72nd of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 82nd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 28th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 70th of 99 |
| Median age | 12th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Hancock County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.