Hancock, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hancock, Maryland had a total population of 1,625, the 297th largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $34,886, which is 66% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 66% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Hancock Quick Facts
How Hancock Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,715 | 1,625 | -5.2% |
| Median household income | $39,375 | $34,886 | -11.4% |
| Median home value | $175,000 | $190,900 | +9.1% |
How Hancock Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hancock Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown | 43,665 | $52,221 | 21.9% | $224,500 |
| Halfway | 10,849 | $71,036 | 10.5% | $253,300 |
| Robinwood | 8,042 | $90,840 | 11.3% | $341,300 |
| Fountainhead-Orchard Hills | 6,567 | $103,340 | 8.8% | $333,000 |
| St. James | 4,824 | $97,361 | 4.2% | $409,000 |
| Boonsboro | 3,809 | $95,956 | 3.3% | $352,400 |
| Maugansville | 3,624 | $79,019 | 9.0% | $321,800 |
| Smithsburg | 3,115 | $100,673 | 15.7% | $337,500 |
| Paramount-Long Meadow | 2,569 | $122,262 | 2.9% | $374,200 |
| Williamsport | 1,949 | $61,607 | 23.3% | $227,900 |
Cities Similar to Hancock
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westernport | 1,588 | $47,688 | $86,300 | 17.5% | 22.2% |
| Perryman | 2,174 | $35,392 | $245,400 | 20.0% | 35.0% |
| Wilson-Conococheague | 1,663 | $64,296 | $224,600 | 12.6% | 18.0% |
| Ridgely | 1,772 | $62,048 | $276,700 | 12.6% | 12.8% |
| Williamsport | 1,949 | $61,607 | $227,900 | 21.4% | 23.3% |
Population Overview
Hancock is a small community located in Maryland, within Washington County. The total population is 1,625. It ranks as the 297th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hancock is 41.8 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hancock is $34,886. This is 66% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 151% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $190,900. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hancock has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.6% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 28.9%.
Education
10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hancock, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hancock, Maryland?
Hancock, Maryland has a population of 1,625 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hancock, MD?
The median household income in Hancock is $34,886, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hancock, MD?
The poverty rate in Hancock is 23.7%. This means approximately 385 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hancock, Maryland?
Hancock's population is 91.6% White, 0.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hancock, MD?
The median home value in Hancock is $190,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Hancock, Maryland?
10.2% of adults (25+) in Hancock hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.