Hancock preserves its history in the New Hampshire countryside
Hancock is a rural Hillsborough County town in southern New Hampshire where about 35% of the population is over the age of 65, above the national average of 19%. “It’s a very historic, well-groomed community,” says Leslie MacGregor, a Hillsborough County resident and the Director at GEP Dodge Public Library in the neighboring village of Bennington. In the town’s center, the Hancock Historical Society preserves artifacts dating back to the 1760s, when the town was first settled. Most all buildings on Main Street are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Hancock Meetinghouse, which is home to a bell that was cast by the son of Paul Revere, noted figure of the American Revolution. Hancock is also the birthplace of the folk stencil artist Moses Eaton, Jr., who depicted scenes of the 19th-century New England countryside. “Moses Eaton, Jr. was an old itinerant muralist going from town to town to paint in exchange for food and a place to stay,” MacGregor says.
Hancock homes range from Colonials to new construction
Tree-lined country roads and farms break up Hancock’s forested landscape, winding past yards with small garden plots and properties with abundant acreage. “We have beautiful fall foliage, even this year with the drought,” MacGregor says. “March is mud season, the ugliest season. We don’t get azaleas until June. Black flies—they bite—usually come in June, from Mothers’ Day to Fathers’ Day.”
Homes connected by gravel paths sit close together along Main Street. Properties farther from the town’s center generally come with acreage; around four to ten acres is typical. Homes in Hancock vary widely in style and price. Older builds include Colonial homes built in the late 1700s, and homes built in the late 20th century and into the 2020s reflect contemporary styles and modern transitional new construction. Prices range from about $260,000 to $980,000, and as of October 2025, the median single-family home sale price is about $640,000. New construction is more typical on the higher end of the price range. About 86% of homes are owner-occupied.
The Contoocook Valley School District offers limited school choice
The Contoocook Valley School District, rated B on Niche, serves the town. Students may attend B-rated Hancock Elementary, which is located in town. Middle schoolers may continue on to Great Brook School, rated C-plus, before advancing to B-rated ConVal Regional High School. High schoolers may enroll in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which offers college credits. Coordinators of the CTE program work with local employers to identify which skills are most relevant for the regional workforce, and offer opportunities based on the current need. ConVal offers limited school choice: families may request intra- or inter-district transfers under New Hampshire’s open enrollment policies; approval depends on district discretion and space availability.
Hancock’s ponds, trails and parks
Residents have plenty of places to kayak, fish and boat between Norway Pond in the center of town, Powder Mill Pond to the east and Nubanusit Lake to the west. Locals can also go for a swim at Hancock Town Beach at Norway Pond. Since 1970, the Harris Center for Conservation Education has been a hub for birdwatching and hiking; it also hosts educational programs for kids and adults, like summer nature camps. Hancock is home to a number of hiking and camping areas, and Moose Brook Park has tennis courts and athletic fields. On the western edge of town, cyclists can bike down Old Railroad Trail, a dirt and gravel path that cuts through the trees.
Daily essentials and fresh eats are close to home in Hancock
Hancock has a handful of locally owned businesses, like Fiddleheads Café, which offers seasonal breakfast and lunch meals made from scratch, including smashburgers, salads and baked goods. Hancock Market has served the area since the 1870s. It’s open daily, selling groceries and locally made goods like fruit preserves and pumpkins. Across the street from the market sits Main Street Cheese. This cheese shop has resident goats and a community garden behind the store. Residents can run more errands about 9 miles south in Peterborough , like picking up prescriptions from CVS and grocery hauls from Shaw’s.
Community gatherings in Hancock
In the summer, the Hancock Farmers and Artisans Market sells locally made jams, soaps, pottery and produce on the Common. On select dates after the market, the Summer Concert Series hosts musicians of various genres, from folk to rock. The concerts are free to attend but accept donations.
Navigating Hillsborough County
Hancock is a car-dependent town with no public transportation. However, Route 202 goes through Hancock, keeping drivers connected to the wider region. This road heads north through Hillsborough and south to Monadnock Community Hospital and through Peterborough. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 35 miles east.
