As of the census of 2000, there were 441 housing units at an average density of 744.4/sq mi (288.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.01% White, 1.24% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 394 households out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.4% were married couples living together, 41.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the village the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 24.2% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 9.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $19,236, and the median income for a family was $30,893. Males had a median income of $19,375 versus $11,442 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,535. About 72.9% of families and 84.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over. Most households receive some form of Public Assistance, with many of those being multi-generation receivers of assistance, usually long-time residents of the town.
Hanover is the Mallard Duck Capital of the world and every September celebrates it with Mallard Fest.