Communities

The Hancock County population was 12,100 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Garner. The county is named in honor of John Hancock, a leader of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,484 km²), of which 571 square miles (1,479 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5 km²) (0.35%) is water.