Hancock County

Hancock County is an administrative division in northeastern Tennessee with mountains, valleys, and two major rivers that wind through the landscape. The Clinch and Powell Rivers create natural features that shape how the land looks and how people move through it.

The Tennessee Supreme Court established Hancock County in 1848 to resolve legal disputes between residents of neighboring Hawkins and Claiborne counties. This creation came from conflicts over land boundaries and which county should govern certain areas.

The Vardy Community School represents an important part of local history by documenting how education served mixed-ancestry communities in the early 1900s. Walking through the region, you can sense how learning institutions shaped the identity of people who lived here.

County government offices are located in Sneedville and handle services like building permits, waste management, and road maintenance. It helps to call ahead or check local information before visiting for any administrative matters you may need to address.

Hancock County ranks among Tennessee's least populated counties, with large stretches of land that feel open and spacious. This quietness makes the area feel quite different from more crowded regions of the state.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: 1844

Capital city: Sneedville

Shares border with: Lee County, Scott County, Hawkins County, Grainger County, Claiborne County

Website: http://hancockcountytn.com

GPS coordinates: 36.53000,-83.22000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:08