[2] The coastal community is located at the northern end of the Kitsap Peninsula and is about 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Poulsbo, the nearest city.

Expedition leader Charles Wilkes gave the site its name because it appears much less of a promontory at close range than it does from a distance.

[5] In 1924 another road was built 10 miles (16 km) south to Kingston, allowing access to the isolated community by means other than boat or trail for the first time.

The addition of the road helped develop Hansville into a resort fishing destination, but a decline in the sports fishery in the 1960s led to the closure of the lodges.

[7] In 1962 Driftwood Key was platted with 59 lots on the west side of the peninsula, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of the original settlement of Hansville.

By 2008 the homeowner association had grown to become the largest neighborhood in Hansville with 732 properties, approximately one-third of the residential lots in the community.

A 2010 survey conducted by Kitsap County found that about 70 percent of residents of Hansville lived in the community full-time, while the remainder maintained homes in the area as weekend or summer properties.

[18] As an unincorporated, rural area, most local government services are provided by Kitsap County in the absence of a municipal authority.

[20] According to the department, it operates four fire engines, one type 6 wildland fire engine, two basic life support ambulances, one advanced life support ambulance, three water tenders, and one 26-foot rescue boat, divided among four stations, one of which, Station 89, is located in Hansville.