Hancock County, Indiana

Infobox U.S. County
county = Hancock County
state = Indiana


founded year = 1828
founded date =
seat wl = Greenfield
largest city wl = Greenfield
area_total_sq_mi = 307
area_total_km2 = 794
area_land_sq_mi = 306
area_land_km2 = 793
area_water_sq_mi = 1
area_water_km2 = 2
area percentage = 0.20
census yr = 2000
pop = 55391
density_sq_mi = 71
density_km2 = 27
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset = -4
footnotes =
web = www.hancockcoingov.org
named for = John Hancock

Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 55,391. Its estimated 2005 population was 63,138. The county seat is GreenfieldGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 307 square miles (794 km²), of which 306 square miles (793 km²) is land and 1 square mile (2 km²) (0.20%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Madison County (north)
*Henry County (east)
*Rush County (southeast)
*Shelby County (south)
*Marion County (west)
*Hamilton County (northwest)

History

Hancock County was formed in 1828. It was named for John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, who signed his name prominently to the Declaration of Independence. [cite book|author=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle|publisher=R. S. Peale & co.|year=1875|location=Indiana|title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YDIUAAAAYAAJ| pages=561]

Government

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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve 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.cite web|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html |title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=IN.gov] cite web|author= Indiana Code |url= http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |title= Title 2, Article 10, Section 2 |accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=IN.gov]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, the collection of revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.

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 terms of four years. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serve terms of four years and oversee different parts of the county government. Members elected to any county government position are required to declare a party affiliation and be a resident of the county.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1830= 1436
1840= 7535
1850= 9698
1860= 12802
1870= 15123
1880= 17123
1890= 17829
1900= 19189
1910= 19030
1920= 17210
1930= 16605
1940= 17302
1950= 20332
1960= 26665
1970= 35096
1980= 43939
1990= 45527
2000= 55391
estimate= 63138
estyear= 2005
estref=
footnote=As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 55,391 people, 20,718 households, and 16,160 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 21,750 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.3% were of German, 20.4% American, 12.6% English and 11.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 20,718 households out of which 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.50% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.00% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $56,416, and the median income for a family was $63,083. Males had a median income of $44,001 versus $28,562 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,966. About 1.90% of families and 3.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.80% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Fortville
*Greenfield
*Maxwell
*McCordsville
*New Palestine
*Shirley
*Spring Lake
*Wilkinson

Townships

*Blue River
*Brandywine
*Brown
*Buck Creek
*Center
*Green
*Jackson
*Sugar Creek
*Vernon

Local Newspapers

* [http://www.specialeditionmonthly.com Special Edition Monthly]

References

*cite book
first = Richard L. (editor)
last = Forstall
year = 1996
title = Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses
publisher = United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division
id = ISBN 0-934213-48-8----