Hancock County, Illinois
Hancock County hugs the Mississippi River in western Illinois. Carthage is the county seat, but Nauvoo is the town with the real history. In fact, it was once a major Mormon settlement.
The county has more shoreline than you’d expect in Illinois, thanks to the big river. Farming is the main gig, but there’s some industry too. You’ll see plenty of old barns and silos scattered across the landscape.
The Nauvoo Temple stands out like a sore thumb. It’s massive compared to everything else around it. The county fair is still a big deal every summer. People here are proud of their river heritage.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Hancock County |
| County Seat | Carthage |
| Etymology | Named after John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Carthage, Hamilton, Nauvoo, Warsaw, Augusta, La Harpe, Dallas City, Ferris, Elvaston, Plymouth, West Point, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 136, Illinois Route 9, Illinois Route 96, Illinois Route 94, Illinois Route 61 |
| FIPS Code | 17-067 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 814 square miles (land: 794 sq mi, water: 20 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Lee County, Iowa (Northwest), Henderson County (Northeast), McDonough County (East), Schuyler County (Southeast), Adams County (South), Lewis County, Missouri (Southwest), Clark County, Missouri (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 17,500 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40.4025° N, 91.1320° W |
| Major Landmarks | Nauvoo Historic District, Carthage Jail, Hancock County Courthouse, Warsaw Brewery, Riverfront Park |
