Hancock is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,557 at the 2020 census. The Western Maryland community is notable for being located at the narrowest part of the state. The north–south distance from the Pennsylvania state line to the West Virginia state line is only 1.8 miles (2.9 km) at Hancock.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code21750

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Hancock

Housing in Hancock

$257K▲ 2.2% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Hancock home is worth about $257,000, up 2.2% in a year, 40% below the Maryland typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Hancock

Safety Grade B

Hancock reports less crime per resident than 55% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Hancock 3.8

Maryland 3.7

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Hancock 7

Maryland 18.5

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Hancock

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Hancock for work: only 12% work in town. The top destinations are Hagerstown (10%), Frederick (4%) and Baltimore (3%). Half commute less than 26 miles.

Hagerstown

10%

Frederick

Baltimore

Robinwood

12%Work in townlive and work in Hancock 26 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 804Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Hancock →

Health in Hancock

C⁻

Health Grade C−

Healthier than 18% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 79% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Maryland

18worse than MD

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 14 are too close to call.

Conditions 10▼ 2 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 3▼ 4 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

17.8%More older adults who have lost all their teethMD 9.9% · worse 10.5%More adults with COPDMD 5.9% · worse 18%More smokersMD 10.9% · worse

Care nearby

Valley Health War Memorial HospitalBerkeley Springs · 11.2 mi · ER · rural critical access

Tri-State Community Health Center - 132 West HighHancock · 1.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Hancock · CMS · HRSAHealth in Hancock →

Natural hazards in Hancock

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 9% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌀 Hurricanes🌡️ Heat waves

23Does Hancock flood?paid flood claims since 1985 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Hancock

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Hancock →

Climate in Hancock

Full climate →

Hancock has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 23°, and about 27 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

43° / 24°Winter

65° / 40°Spring

85° / 60°Summer

67° / 43°Fall

How much snow does Hancock get?About 27 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 21, with the last in spring around Apr 23.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Hancock →

Schools in Hancock

All Hancock schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Hancock’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 52% of Maryland’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictWashington County Public SchoolsSchools2

Hancock Elementary CElementary · Grades PK–5 · 193 students Hancock Middle Senior High BHigh · Grades 6–12 · 239 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MD. Ratings are from neighbors.