Hancock County, Illinois

Last updated

Hancock County
County
Hancock County Courthouse, Carthage.jpg
Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage
Map of Illinois highlighting Hancock County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois in United States.svg
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°24′N91°10′W / 40.4°N 91.17°W / 40.4; -91.17
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Illinois.svg  Illinois
Founded1825
Named for John Hancock
Seat Carthage
Largest city Hamilton
Area
 • Total
814 sq mi (2,110 km2)
 • Land794 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Water21 sq mi (50 km2)  2.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,620
 • Density22/sq mi (8.4/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 15th
Website www.hancockcounty-il.gov

Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 17,620. [1] Its county seat is Carthage, [2] and its largest city is Hamilton. The county is composed of rural towns with many farmers.

Contents

Hancock County is part of the Fort Madison-Keokuk, IA-IL-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Hancock County at the time of its creation in 1825 Hancock County Illinois 1825.png
Hancock County at the time of its creation in 1825

Hancock County was part of the "Military Tract" set aside by Congress to reward veterans of the War of 1812. Actual settlement of the interior of the county was delayed by concerns about hostile American Indians. After their defeat in the Blackhawk War in 1832, settlement proceeded quickly.

Hancock County was formed, on January 13, 1825, out of Pike County. It was named in honor of John Hancock, who signed the Declaration of Independence. [3]

For a brief period in the 1840s Hancock had one of Illinois' most populous cities: Nauvoo, which was then headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The movement's founder Joseph Smith was killed in the county seat of Carthage in 1844. Most Mormons left Hancock County in the 1840s. Today, Latter Day Saints come in increasing numbers to important Latter Day Saint sites in Hancock County, partly for vacation and partly for religious pilgrimage.

The original courthouse was at Montebello. Montebello no longer exists but was between Nauvoo and Hamilton. In 1833 the state commissioned the formation of the county seat at Carthage, which was centrally located but not well developed. A log cabin was built to serve as the courthouse and served that purpose until 1839 when the second Carthage Courthouse was built. The original log cabin continued to serve as a school and other purposes until 1945 when it was removed.

The second courthouse cost $3,700 to build and served from 1839 until 1906. It served as a location for Stephen A. Douglas (October 11, 1858) and Abraham Lincoln (October 22, 1858) to speak to residents as they were running against each other for the US Senate. In 1906 it was removed to make room for the current courthouse.

The current courthouse was dedicated October 21, 1908.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 814 square miles (2,110 km2), of which 794 square miles (2,060 km2) is land and 21 square miles (54 km2) (2.5%) is water. [4]

Climate and weather

Carthage, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel [5]
Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Carthage have ranged from a low of 13 °F (−11 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −30 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in February 1905 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in August 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.47 inches (37 mm) in January to 4.58 inches (116 mm) in May. [5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830 483—
1840 9,9461,959.2%
1850 14,65247.3%
1860 29,06198.3%
1870 35,93523.7%
1880 35,337−1.7%
1890 31,907−9.7%
1900 32,2151.0%
1910 30,638−4.9%
1920 28,523−6.9%
1930 26,420−7.4%
1940 26,297−0.5%
1950 25,790−1.9%
1960 24,574−4.7%
1970 23,645−3.8%
1980 23,8771.0%
1990 21,373−10.5%
2000 20,121−5.9%
2010 19,104−5.1%
2020 17,620−7.8%
2023 (est.)17,186 [6] −2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9]
1990-2000 [10] 2010-2013 [1]
2000 census age pyramid for Hancock County USA Hancock County, Illinois age pyramid.svg
2000 census age pyramid for Hancock County

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 19,104 people, 8,040 households, and 5,427 families residing in the county. [11] The population density was 24.1 inhabitants per square mile (9.3/km2). There were 9,274 housing units at an average density of 11.7 per square mile (4.5/km2). [4] The racial makeup of the county was 98.0% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. [11] In terms of ancestry, 34.7% were German, 13.8% were English, 13.2% were American, and 12.1% were Irish. [12]

Of the 8,040 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 44.6 years. [11]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,857 and the median income for a family was $55,162. Males had a median income of $41,609 versus $27,648 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,885. About 8.9% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over. [13]

Politics

Hancock County is in Illinois's 15th Congressional District and is currently represented by Republican Mary Miller. For the Illinois House of Representatives, the county is in the 94th district and is represented by Republican Randy Frese. The county is in the 47th district of the Illinois Senate, and is represented by Republican Jil Tracy.

In presidential elections, Hancock County usually favors Republican candidates, having voted for Democratic presidential candidates only four times during the period of 1940 to 2024 (in 1964, 1988, 1992, and 1996).

United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Illinois [14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 6,70874.01%2,18324.08%1731.91%
2020 6,90673.44%2,31524.62%1821.94%
2016 6,43070.50%2,13923.45%5526.05%
2012 5,27157.85%3,65040.06%1902.09%
2008 5,16154.50%4,14143.73%1671.76%
2004 5,83758.97%3,97540.16%870.88%
2000 5,13452.98%4,25643.92%3013.11%
1996 3,96143.16%4,00143.59%1,21613.25%
1992 3,71436.89%4,21341.84%2,14221.27%
1988 4,56848.71%4,74050.54%700.75%
1984 6,25162.50%3,71337.13%370.37%
1980 6,59762.32%3,52233.27%4664.40%
1976 6,04355.54%4,73043.47%1080.99%
1972 7,51967.56%3,59232.28%180.16%
1968 6,86660.24%3,72032.64%8117.12%
1964 5,55747.27%6,19952.73%00.00%
1960 8,03661.86%4,94738.08%70.05%
1956 8,43163.41%4,85436.50%120.09%
1952 9,18166.14%4,68133.72%190.14%
1948 7,09855.54%5,55943.50%1220.95%
1944 7,97259.59%5,33839.90%680.51%
1940 9,10857.06%6,68841.90%1651.03%
1936 7,38347.61%7,72649.82%3982.57%
1932 4,78934.87%8,80864.13%1371.00%
1928 7,79558.65%5,44740.99%480.36%
1924 6,67851.83%5,18940.27%1,0187.90%
1920 7,37957.75%5,12540.11%2742.14%
1916 6,47243.95%7,71152.36%5433.69%
1912 1,93725.60%3,69248.80%1,93725.60%
1908 3,78145.47%4,26051.23%2743.30%
1904 3,88749.47%3,45643.98%5156.55%
1900 3,90744.70%4,65753.28%1772.02%
1896 4,25047.18%4,58150.85%1771.96%
1892 3,39341.79%4,13250.89%5957.33%

Communities

Cities

Town

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Forts

Townships

Hancock County is divided into twenty-four townships:

Education

The following is a list of all school districts with any territory in Hancock County, no matter how slight, even if the schools and/or administrative headquarters are in other counties. [16]

K-12:

Secondary:

Elementary:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carthage, Illinois</span> City in Illinois, United States

Carthage is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Its population was 2,490 as of the 2020 census. Carthage is best known for being the site of the 1844 murder of Joseph Smith, who founded the Latter Day Saint movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas City, Illinois</span> City in Illinois, United States

Dallas City is a city in Hancock and Henderson counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population in 2020 stands at an estimate of 805, a decline from the 2010 census of 945, which was a decline from 1,055 in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton, Illinois</span> Place in Illinois, United States

Hamilton is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,753 at the 2020 census, a decline from 2,951 in 2010. The city is located directly across the Mississippi River from Keokuk, Iowa. Hamilton is the largest city in Hancock County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Harpe, Illinois</span> City in Illinois, United States

La Harpe is a town in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,175 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nauvoo, Illinois</span> City in Illinois, United States

Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States, on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa. The population of Nauvoo was 950 at the 2020 census. Nauvoo attracts visitors for its historic importance and its religious significance to members of several groups: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS); other groups stemming from the Latter Day Saint movement; and the Icarians. The city and its immediate surrounding area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Nauvoo Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warsaw, Illinois</span> City in Illinois, United States

Warsaw is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,510 at the 2020 census, a decline from 1,607 in 2010. The city is notable for its historic downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appanoose Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Appanoose Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 447 and it contained 236 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas City Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Dallas City Township is one of twenty-five townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 864 and it contained 488 housing units. It was formed from Pontoosuc Township in 1860.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durham Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Durham Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 248 and it contained 121 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hancock Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Hancock Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 257 and it contained 119 housing units. It was formed from Fountain Green and St. Mary's townships on April 27, 1855.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nauvoo Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Nauvoo Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. At the 2020 census, its population was 963 and it contained 667 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot Grove Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Pilot Grove Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 282 and it contained 121 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontoosuc Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Pontoosuc Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 365 and it contained 218 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonora Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Sonora Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 437 and it contained 246 housing units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warsaw Township, Hancock County, Illinois</span> Township in Illinois, United States

Warsaw Township is one of twenty-four townships in Hancock County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,510 and it contained 762 housing units. Since November 15, 1855, the township has been co-extensive with the city of Warsaw.

The Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-IL-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, locally known as the "Tri-State" area, was an area consisting of three counties – one in southeast Iowa, one in northeast Missouri, and one in west central Illinois, anchored by the cities of Fort Madison, Iowa and Keokuk, Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the μSA had a population of 62,105. An estimate by the Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2012, placed the population at 61,477, a decrease of 1.01%. When the 2023 definitions were released this area was dissolved with Lee County, Iowa being included as part of the Burlington–Fort Madison, IA–IL Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niota, Illinois</span> Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States

Niota is an unincorporated community in Appanoose Township, Hancock County, in the U.S. state of Illinois. The community is located on the bank of the Mississippi River and is at the eastern end of the Fort Madison Toll Bridge, which connects Niota to Fort Madison, Iowa. Niota is the western terminus of Illinois Route 9 and is also served by Illinois Route 96, which is part of the Great River Road.

Colusa is an unincorporated community in Dallas City Township, Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Colusa is 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Dallas City. Colusa has a post office with ZIP code 62329.

Warsaw High School, or WHS, is a public four-year high school located in Warsaw, Illinois, a small city in Hancock County in the Midwestern United States. WHS serves the communities of Warsaw, Basco, Colusa, Nauvoo, Niota, Sutter and Tioga. The campus is located 35 miles (56 km) north of Quincy, 40 miles (64 km) west of Macomb and serves a mostly rural residential community.

Nauvoo–Colusa Community Unit School District 325 is a school district headquartered in Appanoose Township, just east of Nauvoo, Illinois. It serves northwestern Hancock County, including the city of Nauvoo and the unincorporated community of Colusa.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 148.
  4. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Carthage, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  13. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  14. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Warsaw Once the Site of Two Military Forts | Warsaw Park District".
  16. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hancock County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list
  17. 1 2 Endres, Doug (October 11, 2007). "Nauvoo residents sound off on deactivation". Hancock County Journal-Pilot . Retrieved March 29, 2017.

40°24′N91°10′W / 40.40°N 91.17°W / 40.40; -91.17

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