GIS

Welcome to Hancock County's GIS Portal

What is GIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful technology that combines spatial data (maps) with descriptive information (data) to provide a comprehensive view of various geographic areas. The Hancock County GIS Office is staffed with information professionals that have a specialized focus on information that can be mapped to the earth's surface.  By integrating location-based data, GIS allows users to visualize, analyze, and interpret spatial information in ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends.  We're nested inside the Hancock County Surveyor's office in the Hancock County Courthouse Annex building at 111 American Legion Pl. in the City of Greenfield.

Why GIS is Important for Hancock County

The easiest way to conceptualize GIS is to think of it as layers of information that are represented graphically on a computer screen. More precisely, GIS is the hardware, software, people, information, and procedures used to represent, manage, and analyze information about the earth's surface. In Hancock County, GIS plays a crucial role in supporting county operations, decision-making processes, and public services. Our GIS applications serve a diverse range of needs, including:

  • Urban and Rural Planning: Assisting planners and developers with zoning, land use, and infrastructure development to ensure sustainable growth.
  • Public Safety: Enhancing emergency response by mapping out critical locations, optimizing route planning, and managing disaster response.
  • Property and Land Management: Providing detailed property information for assessments, ownership, and land use.
  • Environmental Management: Monitoring natural resources, managing conservation efforts, and tracking environmental changes.
  • Transportation: Supporting road maintenance, traffic management, and infrastructure planning.

What You Can Find on Our GIS Portal (Beacon)

The most frequently used publicly available tool the GIS office uses to support Hancock County is our beacon website hosted by Schneider Geospatial.  The site receives close to a thousand visitors a day and over the past year has serviced over five million information requests.  The site is available here - https://beacon.schneidercorp.com/?site=HancockCountyIN Our GIS portal is designed to provide easy access to a wealth of geographic data and interactive mapping tools. Here are some key features and resources available:

  • Interactive Maps: Explore various layers of information, such as property boundaries, zoning districts, flood zones, and more.
  • Property Search: Look up detailed information about properties in Hancock County, including parcel data, ownership, and valuation.
  • Thematic Maps: View and analyze maps focused on specific themes such as voting districts, landmarks, and environmental features.
  • Public Applications: Utilize specialized GIS applications for tasks like development tracking, service requests, and voter information.

The tracking of tax abatements and TIF districts is now enabled on Hancock County's beacon site.  A tutorial is available here.

Please Note: The parcel lines and corners represented by GIS do not represent legal boundaries. Users should not rely on them for any purpose other than a low-accuracy approximation of their boundaries. They are of limited precision and are simply graphic representations of parcel lines developed for the county's limited purposes. By law, the legal boundaries of a parcel are a function of (1) the law, (2) evidence on the ground, and (3) the written deed description or subdivision plat. Only a registered land surveyor is trained and licensed to locate boundary lines.

If you need your boundaries located, a listing of local surveyors is available at no charge from the GIS Office or view the Private Survey Companies resource directory category.

How GIS Benefits the Community

GIS is not just a tool for government officials and businesses; it also empowers the residents of Hancock County by providing transparency and accessibility to important information. Here are some ways GIS benefits our community:

  • Informed Decision Making: Access to accurate and up-to-date spatial data helps residents make informed decisions about property investments, land use, and community involvement.
  • Community Engagement: Interactive maps and public applications encourage residents to participate in local planning and development processes.
  • Efficiency and Cost Savings: GIS streamlines county operations, reducing costs and improving the efficiency of public services.

Get Involved and Stay Informed

We encourage you to explore our GIS portal and discover the many ways GIS can enhance your understanding of Hancock County. Whether you're a resident, business owner, researcher, or just curious about our county's geography, our GIS resources are here to help.

For more information, assistance, or to provide feedback, please contact the Hancock County GIS Department. We are committed to continuously improving our GIS services to better serve our community. Feel free to contact the office at 317-477-1150 and ask for GIS or you can email us (john.milburn@hancockin.gov or caroline.adams@hancockin.gov).