Hanging Rock is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

Hanging Rock had its start in 1820 when European Americans built a blast furnace at the site.

Industrial changes reduced the need for labor, and people gradually left for work elsewhere.

20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 14.5% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 20.8% of those 65 or over.

The residents of Hanging Rock are served by the Rock Hill Local School District and the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library in Ironton, with branches in South Point, Chesapeake, Proctorville and Willow Wood.