Hancock
Indiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Hancock County is unusual in three ways: the school test score is in the top 2% of American counties (3.63 where 3.0 is grade level), population growth is in the top 2% of American counties (+3.7% a year), and the median household income is in the top 8% of American counties ($85,262). Within Indiana it ranks 6th of 92 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Hancock County, Indiana. 80,170 people live here with you. The population grew 3.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,977).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $85,262 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,651. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 81% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,515 a year.

Home

The median home costs $331K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,053 a month. Property tax is 0.70% of home value, roughly $1,652 a year on that median home, lower than 65% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.9 years, longer than 74% of American counties. There are 245 active physicians in the county, about 30.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 6.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.52 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 98% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 36 points. 74% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 53°F, highs near 63 and lows near 42, colder than 63% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 49 out of 100, safer than 51% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 278 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.