Center
RANK #203 / 996 NAT · #12 / 28 IN · POP 80,170
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Hancock County, Indiana, is known for Greenfield, the county seat and birthplace of "Hoosier Poet" James Whitcomb Riley. The county, situated just east of Indianapolis, offers a blend of small-town atmosphere with convenient access to a major city. Commutes to Indianapolis are generally short, often less than 15 minutes. The landscape features low rolling hills and wooded areas, with numerous parks and trails like the Pennsy Trail providing opportunities for walking, jogging, and cycling. This allows residents to enjoy outdoor recreation and connect with nature.
Life in Hancock County appeals to families and professionals seeking highly-rated public schools, including Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon, and New Palestine Community Schools. The county has seen significant economic activity, with recent investments in commercial and residential development. There has been an increase in the occupancy of large warehouses, and the county is also seeing growth in sectors like industrial, logistics, and manufacturing. Additionally, there is a focus on developing an innovation corridor that connects agriculture with life sciences and technology.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Hancock County MegaSite (Data Center/Industrial Campus)
Surge Development LLC
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Whitman Villas (Hancock Gateway Park)
Equity Property Management (EPM)
|
$460M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
West Pharmaceutical Services Manufacturing Site
West Pharmaceutical Services
|
$90M | Planned |
|
Walmart Fulfillment Services Distribution Center
Walmart Fulfillment Services
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hancock County ranks #203 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +3.2% and a median household income of $85,262 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Hancock County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $235,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,058/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Hancock County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.2% clip. Home values shifted +2.2% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 6.01% of Hancock County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.