Hancock County, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hancock County
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Hancock County Courthouse and Confederate Monument in Sparta
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Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
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 Georgia's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | December 17, 1793 |
| Named for | John Hancock |
| Seat | Sparta |
| Largest city | Sparta |
| Area | |
| • Total | 479 sq mi (1,240 km2) |
| • Land | 472 sq mi (1,220 km2) |
| • Water | 6.8 sq mi (18 km2) 1.4%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,735 |
| • Density | 19/sq mi (7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 10th |
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Hancock County is a place in the middle-eastern part of Georgia, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 8,735 people lived there. The main town, or county seat, is Sparta. Hancock County was started on December 17, 1793. It was named after John Hancock, an important leader during the American Revolution.
Contents
History of Hancock County
Before the Civil War, Hancock County was known for its large cotton farms. Many enslaved African Americans were forced to work on these farms. They grew and processed cotton because it was in high demand around the world. This area has very rich soil, which is why it was good for farming.
In 1850, more than half of the people in the county (61%) were enslaved. When Georgia decided to leave the United States in 1861, Hancock County's leaders actually voted against it. However, Georgia still joined the war.
After the Civil War, enslaved people became free. Most of these newly freed people joined the Republican Party. They felt this party had helped them gain their freedom. For many years, there were more Black people than white people in the county.
Over time, some white leaders tried to stop Black people from voting. They used different methods to make it harder for them. In 1908, a new rule was passed that made it very difficult for most Black people and many poor white people to vote.
Fair Voting in Recent Times
Today, most African Americans in Hancock County support the Democratic Party. Most white people support the Republican Party.
In 2015, there was a discussion about voting rights in Sparta, the county seat. Some people were asked to prove they lived there or they might lose their right to vote. A judge later said that these actions were not fair. It's important that everyone who is allowed to vote can do so easily and fairly.
Geography
Hancock County covers about 479 square miles. Most of this (472 square miles) is land, and a small part (6.8 square miles) is water.
The county is located near several important rivers. The western and southern parts of Hancock County are in the Oconee River area. This river eventually flows into the Altamaha River. The northeastern part of the county is in the Ogeechee River area.
Main Roads
There are no big Interstate Highways in Hancock County. But there are several important state roads:
State Route 248
State Route 15
State Route 16
State Route 22
State Route 77
Neighboring Counties
Hancock County shares borders with these other counties:
- Taliaferro County - to the north
- Warren County - to the northeast
- Glascock County - to the east
- Washington County - to the southeast
- Baldwin County - to the southwest
- Putnam County - to the west
- Greene County - to the northwest
Communities
City
- Sparta (This is the main town, also called the county seat)
Small Towns and Areas
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 14,456 | — | |
| 1810 | 13,330 | −7.8% | |
| 1820 | 12,734 | −4.5% | |
| 1830 | 11,820 | −7.2% | |
| 1840 | 9,659 | −18.3% | |
| 1850 | 11,578 | 19.9% | |
| 1860 | 12,044 | 4.0% | |
| 1870 | 11,317 | −6.0% | |
| 1880 | 16,989 | 50.1% | |
| 1890 | 17,149 | 0.9% | |
| 1900 | 18,277 | 6.6% | |
| 1910 | 19,189 | 5.0% | |
| 1920 | 18,357 | −4.3% | |
| 1930 | 13,070 | −28.8% | |
| 1940 | 12,764 | −2.3% | |
| 1950 | 11,052 | −13.4% | |
| 1960 | 9,979 | −9.7% | |
| 1970 | 9,019 | −9.6% | |
| 1980 | 9,466 | 5.0% | |
| 1990 | 8,908 | −5.9% | |
| 2000 | 10,076 | 13.1% | |
| 2010 | 9,429 | −6.4% | |
| 2020 | 8,735 | −7.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 8,676 | −8.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1960-1980 1980-2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2020, there were 8,735 people living in Hancock County. These people lived in about 2,974 homes.
Famous People from Hancock County
- James Abercrombie (1795–1861) - He was born in Hancock County and later became a Congressman.
- Amanda America Dickson - She was born in Hancock County.
- William Henry Harrison - He was a state lawmaker from Hancock County.
- Harvey Grant - A famous basketball player, twin brother of Horace Grant.
- Horace Grant - A famous basketball player, twin brother of Harvey Grant.
- Thomas "Tommy" Jackson - Also known as "Hurricane" Jackson, a boxer.
- Biddy Mason - She was born in Hancock County and became a well-known nurse and community leader.
- Hiram George Runnels - He was born in Hancock County.
- William Terrell - He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives for Hancock County.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Hancock (Georgia) para niños
