McHenry County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
McHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat
is Woodstock
. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in terms of population, in the state of Illinois. Long known as a center of agriculture
and recreation
, it has more recently experienced rapid rates of suburbanization
and urbanization
.
and LaSalle Counties. The county was named for Major William McHenry
, an Indian fighter who died in Vandalia
in 1835.
McHenry County originally stretched all the way east to Lake Michigan
, with the county seat centrally in McHenry
, but in 1839, the eastern townships of the county were carved out to form Lake County
.
President Gerald Ford
's mother Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford and maternal grandfather Levi Addison Gardner and possibly his maternal grandmother Adele Augusta Ayer Gardner were born in the county (near Harvard, Illinois
).
As of the census
of 2000, there were 260,077 people, 89,403 households, and 69,287 families residing in the county. The population density
was 431 people per square mile (166/km²). There were 92,908 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile (59/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White
, 0.59% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 1.45% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 2.77% from other races
, and 1.08% from two or more races. 7.54% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 28.5% were of German
, 12.2% Irish
, 9.8% Polish, 8.8% Italian
and 5.6% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. 89.3% spoke English
, 6.4% Spanish
and 1.0% Polish
as their first language. The population of the Polish population has doubled within the last several years.
There were 89,403 households out of which 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% were married couples
living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.50% were non-families. 18.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 33.50% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $64,826, and the median income for a family was $71,553. Males had a median income of $50,479 versus $31,141 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $26,476. About 2.50% of families and 3.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.80% of those under age 18 and 3.60% of those age 65 or over.
McHenry County is like much of the Upper Midwest
, as it usually sees hot, humid summers, and cold, snowy winters. The county is notably susceptible to high wind events, blizzards, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding.
Some of the most notable weather events in the county include the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak, the Blizzard of 1967
, the 1967 Belvidere - Oak Lawn tornado outbreak, the Blizzard of 1979
, the Flood of 1996, the Blizzard of 1999
, the Early Winter 2006 North American Storm Complex
, the 2007 Midwest flooding
event, the January 2008 tornado outbreak sequence
, and the Blizzard of 2011.
, features county offices as well as judicial facilities. Several state agencies also have local offices in Woodstock.
. The county has voted for the Republican candidate for President in almost every election for at least the past 50 years. Recent elections in 2004 and 2000 saw George W. Bush
capture 59.72% and 58.5% of the county vote, respectively. However in the 2008 Presidential Election, Democrat
Barack Obama
captured McHenry County with 52% of the vote.
McHenry County is served in the United States House of Representatives
by Donald Manzullo (R, IL-16), who represents the southern and western portions of the county, and Joe Walsh
(R, IL-8), who represents the northeastern parts of the county.
In the Illinois Senate
, McHenry County is served by Pamela Althoff
(R) and Dan Duffy
(R) and in the Illinois House of Representatives
by Mike Tryon
(R), Jack Franks
(D), and Kent Gaffney (R).
A majority of elected county officials are Republican.
, a rapidly growing community college established in 1967, serves the majority of county residents. The college includes 2,000 full-time students and 5,800 part-time students. The main campus is located on the northwest side of Crystal Lake, along U.S. Route 14
. Secondary facilities exist in Crystal Lake and McHenry.
McHenry County also includes dozens of school districts. There are also several high schools in the county. The largest high schools are McHenry High School East and West, Johnsburg High School
, Woodstock High School
, Woodstock North High School, Prairie Ridge High School
, Crystal Lake Central High School
, Crystal Lake South High School
, Cary-Grove High School
, Harry D. Jacobs High School
, and Huntley High School
, all of which are part of the Fox Valley Conference
. Harvard High School
, Richmond-Burton Community High School, and Marengo Community High School
are part of the Big Northern Conference
. Alden-Hebron High School, Faith Lutheran High School
and Marian Central Catholic High School
are also found in the county.
in McHenry, and Centegra Memorial Medical Center
in Woodstock. There are also plans to build a Centegra hospital in Huntley or Mercy hospital in Crystal Lake. Provena, Advocate, and Sherman also maintain a strong presence in the county, and have hospitals in nearby Elgin and Barrington.
The major employment centers can be found in Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock.
The southern portions of the county are within the scope of the Golden Corridor
, the region of commerce along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
s Algonquin Commons
and Algonquin Galleria, the Huntley Prime Outlets outlet mall, and the regional indoor mall Spring Hill Mall
in West Dundee
.
In addition, several historic downtowns throughout the county offer unique shops and eateries in charming environments. The Woodstock Square Historic District
, antique shops in Richmond and Hebron, downtown Crystal Lake
and downtown Algonquin
, and shops in other historic downtowns throughout the county accommodate residents and tourists alike. McHenry's Green Street is also a major attraction in the county.
.
In addition, the Fox River
and Chain O'Lakes
provide immense opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. Moraine Hills State Park
and Chain O' Lakes State Park
are both located in the county, adjacent to the waterway. Other major lakes in the county include Crystal Lake, Wonder Lake, and McCullom Lake.
There are also dozens of parks, golf courses, and country clubs throughout the county.
Major skiing
areas include Nordic Ski Jump in Fox River Grove and Buffalo Snowboarding Park in Algonquin. In addition, the Windy City Balloon Port in Fox River Grove offers hot air balloon
rides over the Fox River Valley.
and Crystal Lake's Raue Center for the Arts both provide exceptional programs. In addition, Algonquin is noted for its Public Art Program, which showcases artwork year-round throughout the community. The county is also ideal for photography and filming. Much of the filming for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day
took place in Woodstock.
There are also several important points of interest in the county including the Illinois Railway Museum
and McHenry County Historical Museum in Union, the Old McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock, and a variety of historical homes including the Orson Rogers House
, George Stickney House
, Charles H. Hibbard House
, the Terwilliger House
, the Count's House
, and the Dole Mansion.
Throughout the year are a variety of festivals throughout the county, the centerpiece of which is the McHenry County Fair, occurring during a week in August in Woodstock. Many towns also have their own festivals throughout the year. Some of the most notable ones are the Ground Hog Days in Woodstock, Fall Fest in Huntley, the Summer Sunset Festival in Lake in the Hills, the Gala Festival in Crystal Lake, Milk Days in Harvard, Settler's Days in Marengo, Cary Days in Cary, Founders Days in Algonquin, and Fiesta Days in McHenry.
, Illinois Route 173
, Illinois Route 120
, Illinois Route 176
, Illinois Route 47
, Illinois Route 31
, and Illinois Route 62
. Highly traveled county highways include Randall Road
, Algonquin Road, and Walkup Road. Interstate 90
passes through McHenry County but does not have any highway interchange in McHenry County. Interstate 94
lies to the east of McHenry County in Lake County, Illinois.
McHenry County is also the most populous county in the United States without direct access to an Interstate Highway within its borders. As a result, residents usually use the nearby Interstate 90
(the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway), via an interchange
two miles south of the county in Kane County
, to access the interstate highway system.
McHenry County is also served by Metra
Rail, which provides daily commuter service to and from downtown Chicago. There are seven stations in the county, all of them located along the Union Pacific/Northwest Line. The county is also served by Pace
, which provides three regular bus routes, and dial-a-ride service for several communities.
Lake in the Hills Airport
offers general aviation service, as do Dacy Airport and Galt Airport, in the northern part of the county. Chicago-O'Hare International Airport is approximately 30 to 40 miles from the county, while Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport
is approximately 50 to 60 miles away. Chicago Rockford International Airport, a busy cargo airport with limited, scheduled passenger service is located approximately 42 miles west of the central part of the county (Woodstock).
media market
and the majority of the county relies primarily on Chicago television stations, radio stations, and newspapers for the source of its news and information. Certain sections of the county, particularly the rural far northern and far western parts, are also within the scope of the Milwaukee and Rockford media markets, respectively.
The county does have one FM radio station (WZSR
- Star 105.5 FM), which plays mostly Adult Contemporary and pop music
, and one AM radio station (WAIT
- 850 AM). WZSR is based out of Woodstock, while WAIT is based out of Crystal Lake.
The Northwest Herald
, with a circulation of almost 39,000, is the county's primary newspaper, serving the greater McHenry County area, and printed and published in Crystal Lake. The county is also served by the larger Chicago newspapers Chicago Tribune
, Chicago Sun-Times
, and the suburban-focused newspaper The Daily Herald. McHenry County Living, a bimonthly lifestyle magazine serving the county, also reaches tens of thousands of area residents and businesses. There are also several weekly publications throughout the county, focusing on the individual municipalities.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Woodstock
Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock is a far northwest suburb of Chicago in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 20,151 at the 2000 census. The 2010 Census shows 24,770 residents. It is the county seat of McHenry County...
. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in terms of population, in the state of Illinois. Long known as a center of agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
, it has more recently experienced rapid rates of suburbanization
Suburbanization
Suburbanization a term used to describe the growth of areas on the fringes of major cities. It is one of the many causes of the increase in urban sprawl. Many residents of metropolitan regions work within the central urban area, choosing instead to live in satellite communities called suburbs...
and urbanization
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 610.81 square miles (1,582 km²), of which 603.17 square miles (1,562.2 km²) (or 98.75%) is land and 7.64 square miles (19.8 km²) (or 1.25%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 14
U.S. Highway 20
Adjacent counties
- Walworth CountyWalworth County, WisconsinWalworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 102,228. Its county seat is Elkhorn.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
- north - Kenosha CountyKenosha County, Wisconsin-Demographics: As of the census of 2000, there were 149,577 people, 56,057 households, and 38,455 families residing in the county. The population density was 548 people per square mile . There were 59,989 housing units at an average density of 220 per square mile...
, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
- northeast - Lake CountyLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
- east - Cook CountyCook County, IllinoisCook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
- southeast - Kane CountyKane County, IllinoisKane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
- south - DeKalb CountyDeKalb County, IllinoisDeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,160, which is an increase of 18.2% from 88,969 in 2000. Its county seat is Sycamore. DeKalb County is part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area.-History:DeKalb County...
- southwest - Boone County - west
History
McHenry County was formed in 1836 out of CookCook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
and LaSalle Counties. The county was named for Major William McHenry
William McHenry
William McHenry is believed to have been born in 1771. He married Hannah Ruth Blackford in the late 1790s in Logan County, Kentucky.McHenry served as a Lieutenant in Price’s Battalion of Mounted Volunteers and participated at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, near modern Toledo, Ohio.McHenry...
, an Indian fighter who died in Vandalia
Vandalia, Illinois
Vandalia is a city in Fayette County, Illinois, United States, northeast of St. Louis, on the Kaskaskia River. From 1819 to 1839 it served as the state capital of Illinois. Vandalia was the western terminus of the National Road. Today it is the county seat of Fayette County and the home of the...
in 1835.
McHenry County originally stretched all the way east to Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
, with the county seat centrally in McHenry
McHenry, Illinois
McHenry is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. In 2005, its population was estimated to be 24,631. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County...
, but in 1839, the eastern townships of the county were carved out to form Lake County
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
.
President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
's mother Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford and maternal grandfather Levi Addison Gardner and possibly his maternal grandmother Adele Augusta Ayer Gardner were born in the county (near Harvard, Illinois
Harvard, Illinois
Harvard is a city located in McHenry County in the northeastern corner of the U.S. state of Illinois, approximately south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. The population was 7,996 at the 2000 census...
).
Historical sites
- The Count's House, 3803 Waukegan Rd, McHenryCount's HouseThe Count's House is a historic Greek Revival home in McHenry, Illinois. It is one of McHenry's oldest and most notable landmarks, as well as one of the finest preserved examples of Greek Revival architecture in McHenry County...
- Charles H. Hibbard House, 413 W Grant Hwy, MarengoCharles H. Hibbard HouseThe Charles H. Hibbard House, in the McHenry County city of Marengo, Illinois, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. The home, also known as the Cupola House, stood unoccupied on Grant Highway as of January 2007...
- Orson Rogers House, 19621 E Grant Hwy, MarengoOrson Rogers HouseThe Orson Rogers House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the McHenry County, Illinois city of Marengo. The property consists of several outbuildings, currently and in the past, as well, those buildings are and were mostly agriculture related.-Ownership:The home...
- Lucein Boneparte Covell House, 5805 Broadway, Richmond
- Memorial Hall, 10308 Main St, RichmondMemorial Hall (Richmond, Illinois)Memorial Hall in Richmond, Illinois, US is a historic public building located in the village's primary business district. It was constructed in 1907 and has served as a focal point for community government and recreation. In 1993 Richmond Memorial Hall was added to the U.S...
- Old McHenry County Courthouse, Woodstock City Square, WoodstockOld McHenry County CourthouseThe Old McHenry County Courthouse, in McHenry County, Illinois, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 1, 1974. Once the courthouse in the county seat of McHenry County, Woodstock, today the courthouse is occupied by various private tenants including a restaurant and an...
- Woodstock Opera House, 110 Van Buren St, WoodstockWoodstock Opera HouseThe Woodstock Opera House is a historical venue for performing arts and receptions located in Woodstock, Illinois. It was designed as a multi-use facility including City Hall, and the police and fire departments by architect Smith Hoag and built by contractor Simon Brink in 1889 for a cost of...
- Woodstock Square Historic District, WoodstockWoodstock Square Historic DistrictThe Woodstock Square Historic District is located in the county seat of McHenry County, Illinois, which is Woodstock. The district is located in downtown Woodstock and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982...
- George Stickney House, 1904 Cherry Valley Rd, Bull ValleyGeorge Stickney HouseThe George Stickney House or simply Stickney House or Stickney Mansion is located in rural McHenry County, Illinois, in the small village of Bull Valley, near Woodstock....
- Terwilliger House, Mason Hill Rd & Cherry Valley Rd, Bull ValleyTerwilliger HouseThe 1849 Terwilliger House is a Registered Historic Place in the McHenry County, Illinois village of Bull Valley. The Greek Revival Home is topped with a square cupola and surrounded by a columned porch. Rumors persist that the home was once a part of the Underground Railroad....
Demographics
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 260,077 people, 89,403 households, and 69,287 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 431 people per square mile (166/km²). There were 92,908 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile (59/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.59% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.45% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.77% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.08% from two or more races. 7.54% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 28.5% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 12.2% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 9.8% Polish, 8.8% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
and 5.6% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 89.3% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, 6.4% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and 1.0% Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
as their first language. The population of the Polish population has doubled within the last several years.
There were 89,403 households out of which 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.50% were non-families. 18.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 33.50% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $64,826, and the median income for a family was $71,553. Males had a median income of $50,479 versus $31,141 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $26,476. About 2.50% of families and 3.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.80% of those under age 18 and 3.60% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Woodstock have ranged from a low of 11 °F (-11.7 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29.4 °C) in July, although a record low of -29 °F was recorded in January 1979 and a record high of 109 °F (42.8 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.29 inches (3.3 cm) in February to 4.56 inches (11.6 cm) in June.McHenry County is like much of the Upper Midwest
Upper Midwest
The Upper Midwest is a region in the northern portion of the U.S. Census Bureau's Midwestern United States. It is largely a sub-region of the midwest. Although there are no uniformly agreed-upon boundaries, the region is most commonly used to refer to the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and...
, as it usually sees hot, humid summers, and cold, snowy winters. The county is notably susceptible to high wind events, blizzards, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding.
Some of the most notable weather events in the county include the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak, the Blizzard of 1967
Chicago Blizzard of 1967
The Chicago Blizzard of 1967 struck northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana on January 26, 1967 with a record-setting of snow falling on Chicago and its suburbs before the storm abated the next morning. To this day, it is the worst blizzard in Chicago history. The snow fell continuously on...
, the 1967 Belvidere - Oak Lawn tornado outbreak, the Blizzard of 1979
Chicago Blizzard of 1979
The Chicago Blizzard of 1979 was a major blizzard that affected northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, U.S. on January 13-January 14, 1979. of snow fell on January 13 alone, setting a new record for snow in one calendar day...
, the Flood of 1996, the Blizzard of 1999
Blizzard of 1999
The Blizzard of 1999 was a strong winter snowstorm which struck the Midwest United States and portions of eastern Canada, hitting hardest in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario and Quebec dumping as much as 60 cm of snow in many areas. Chicago received a recorded . The...
, the Early Winter 2006 North American Storm Complex
Early Winter 2006 North American Storm Complex
The Early Winter 2006 North American Storm Complex was a severe winter weather event in the last week of November 2006 and continuing into December 1...
, the 2007 Midwest flooding
2007 Midwest flooding
The 2007 Midwest flooding was a major flooding event that occurred in the Midwestern United States in the third week of August 2007. While Hurricane Dean was affecting the Yucatán Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico, and Tropical Storm Erin was affecting Oklahoma and Texas, a persistent storm system...
event, the January 2008 tornado outbreak sequence
January 2008 tornado outbreak sequence
-January 7 event:-January 8 event:-January 10 event:-January 11 event:-Non-tornadic events:The storm system was also responsible for heavy flooding rains across much of the Midwest from Michigan to Missouri as well as dense fog across Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec which was caused by rapid snow...
, and the Blizzard of 2011.
Government
McHenry County government is based primarily out of Woodstock, the county seat. The McHenry County Government Center, located on the north end of Woodstock along Illinois Route 47Illinois Route 47
Illinois Route 47 is a largely rural north–south state highway that runs from the Wisconsin state border at Highway 120 near Hebron, to Illinois Route 10, just south of Interstate 72 near Seymour. This is a distance of . Even though Route 47 is primarily rural, in several suburbs of Chicago,...
, features county offices as well as judicial facilities. Several state agencies also have local offices in Woodstock.
Politics
McHenry County has historically been a reliable stronghold for the Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. The county has voted for the Republican candidate for President in almost every election for at least the past 50 years. Recent elections in 2004 and 2000 saw George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
capture 59.72% and 58.5% of the county vote, respectively. However in the 2008 Presidential Election, Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
captured McHenry County with 52% of the vote.
McHenry County is served in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
by Donald Manzullo (R, IL-16), who represents the southern and western portions of the county, and Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh (Illinois politician)
William Joseph "Joe" Walsh is the Republican U.S. Representative for Chicago, Illinois's northwest suburban . He has served in Congress since January 2011 after defeating three-term incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean by a margin of 291 votes in a surprising upset. He received little Republican Party...
(R, IL-8), who represents the northeastern parts of the county.
In the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
, McHenry County is served by Pamela Althoff
Pamela Althoff
Pamela J. Althoff is a Republican Illinois State Senator, representing the 32nd District since her appointment in March 2003.-Early life, education and career:...
(R) and Dan Duffy
Dan Duffy
Dan Duffy is a Republican member of the Illinois Senate.He represents constituents in the 26th district including sections of Lake, McHenry and Cook counties.- Legislative assignments :Sen...
(R) and in the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
by Mike Tryon
Michael W. Tryon
Michael W. Tryon is a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 64th district since 2005. Previously Tryon served on the McHenry County Board from 1989 to 2004, and held the leadership position of County Board Chairman from 1998 to 2004.-External links:* official...
(R), Jack Franks
Jack D. Franks
Jack Franks is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 63rd district since 1999.-Career:In 2008, Franks was a member of Hillary Clinton's Illinois Steering Committee and February 5 Rapid Responders....
(D), and Kent Gaffney (R).
A majority of elected county officials are Republican.
Education
McHenry County CollegeMcHenry County College
McHenry County College is a community college serving residents residing in Community College District 528, which covers most of McHenry County, Illinois, as well as portions of surrounding counties....
, a rapidly growing community college established in 1967, serves the majority of county residents. The college includes 2,000 full-time students and 5,800 part-time students. The main campus is located on the northwest side of Crystal Lake, along U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...
. Secondary facilities exist in Crystal Lake and McHenry.
McHenry County also includes dozens of school districts. There are also several high schools in the county. The largest high schools are McHenry High School East and West, Johnsburg High School
Johnsburg High School
Johnsburg High School is a public High School in Johnsburg, Illinois; a town located in northeast McHenry County. Its mascot is the Skyhawk.-Community:...
, Woodstock High School
Woodstock High School (Illinois)
Woodstock High School, home of the Blue Streaks, is a public high school located in Woodstock, Illinois, a part of Woodstock Community Unit School District 200. Established in 1921, it is located fifteen minutes south of Wisconsin and one hour northwest of Chicago...
, Woodstock North High School, Prairie Ridge High School
Prairie Ridge High School
Prairie Ridge High School is the newest of the four high schools in Community High School District 155 in Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States. The other three high school in the area include: Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, and Cary Grove. Prairie Ridge High school opened in 1997 to...
, Crystal Lake Central High School
Crystal Lake Central High School
Crystal Lake Central High School, often referred to as "Central" or "CLC," is the oldest of the three high schools in Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States.-History:...
, Crystal Lake South High School
Crystal Lake South High School
Crystal Lake South High School, often referred to as "South" or "CLS," is one of three high schools in Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States, and currently has a body of roughly 1916 students...
, Cary-Grove High School
Cary-Grove High School
Cary-Grove High School is a high school in Cary, Illinois, USA; it is part of Community High School District 155. In 1995, it was the subject of much news attention after the Fox River Grove level crossing accident that killed seven students. In 2006, on the anniversary of the accident, another...
, Harry D. Jacobs High School
Harry D. Jacobs High School
Harry D. Jacobs High School is a public high school for students in grades 9 through 12 located in Algonquin, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, serving students from the west half of the Village of Algonquin and its surrounding areas, including Lake in the Hills, Gilberts, some of Sleepy Hollow, and...
, and Huntley High School
Huntley High School
Huntley High School is a rapidly growing, public high school in northern Illinois. The school serves the entire Consolidated School District 158 area, which includes all of Huntley, Illinois, and portions of Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, and other surrounding communities and rural...
, all of which are part of the Fox Valley Conference
Fox Valley Conference
The Fox Valley Conference is an IHSA recognized high school extracurricular conference including the following schools, generally located in the northern part of the Fox River basin in Illinois.-Valley Division:-Fox Division:-Changes:...
. Harvard High School
Harvard High School
Harvard High School can refer to:*Harvard High School in Harvard, Nebraska*Harvard High School in Harvard, Illinois*Harvard High School in Studio City, Los Angeles, California...
, Richmond-Burton Community High School, and Marengo Community High School
Marengo Community High School
Marengo Community High School is a public high school located in southwestern McHenry County, Illinois, that serves the communities of Marengo and Union, as well as the surrounding rural areas. The school has an enrollment of approximately 850 students....
are part of the Big Northern Conference
Big Northern Conference
The Big Northern Conference is an organization of fourteen high schools in northern Illinois. These high schools are members of the Illinois High School Association....
. Alden-Hebron High School, Faith Lutheran High School
Faith Lutheran High School
Faith Lutheran High School commonly known as Faith or FLHS is a parochial high school for students in grades 9-12 located in Crystal Lake, Illinois...
and Marian Central Catholic High School
Marian Central Catholic High School
Marian Central Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Woodstock, Illinois, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford....
are also found in the county.
Medical facilities
McHenry County is gradually gaining a reputation as an important center of health care, due to its unique location and proximity to a wide range of hospital systems. Hospitals currently in the county include Mercy Harvard Hospital, Centegra Northern Illinois Medical CenterCentegra Northern Illinois Medical Center
Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center is a hospital in McHenry, Illinois....
in McHenry, and Centegra Memorial Medical Center
Centegra Memorial Medical Center
Centegra Memorial Medical Center is a hospital in Woodstock, Illinois.-History:Centegra Health System was formed when Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock and Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry joined forces...
in Woodstock. There are also plans to build a Centegra hospital in Huntley or Mercy hospital in Crystal Lake. Provena, Advocate, and Sherman also maintain a strong presence in the county, and have hospitals in nearby Elgin and Barrington.
Economy
Much of McHenry County's economy centers around manufacturing, metalworking, media development and printing, transportation equipment, agriculture, heath care, education, retail, food production, distribution, and technology.The major employment centers can be found in Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock.
The southern portions of the county are within the scope of the Golden Corridor
Golden Corridor
The Golden Corridor is a term used to describe the area around the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, formerly known as the Northwest Tollway in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is coined as such since the corridor generates a "gold" mine of economic profit for communities in the area...
, the region of commerce along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Shopping
The county is known for its wide variety of shopping options. McHenry, Crystal Lake, and Algonquin/Lake in the Hills have established themselves as major retail areas, all featuring an array of big box stores, specialty stores, and restaurants. While there are no major malls located within the county, several lie just outside its borders: the lifestyle centerLifestyle center (retail)
A lifestyle center is a shopping center or mixed-used commercial development that combines the traditional retail functions of a shopping mall with leisure amenities oriented towards upscale consumers...
s Algonquin Commons
Algonquin Commons
Algonquin Commons is an upper-tier outdoor shopping mall, or lifestyle center, located along Randall Road in Algonquin, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. The mall is located in Kane County, Illinois, just south of the McHenry County line...
and Algonquin Galleria, the Huntley Prime Outlets outlet mall, and the regional indoor mall Spring Hill Mall
Spring Hill Mall
Spring Hill Mall, opened in October 1980 is a regional shopping mall in West Dundee, Illinois and Carpentersville, Illinois. Spring Hill was developed by Homart Development Company, then owned by Sears, Roebuck & Company. The mall opened with two anchors, Marshall Field & Company and Sears, Roebuck...
in West Dundee
West Dundee, Illinois
West Dundee is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,975 as of July 2008.West Dundee lies across the Fox River from East Dundee and Carpentersville.-Geography:West Dundee is located at ....
.
In addition, several historic downtowns throughout the county offer unique shops and eateries in charming environments. The Woodstock Square Historic District
Woodstock Square Historic District
The Woodstock Square Historic District is located in the county seat of McHenry County, Illinois, which is Woodstock. The district is located in downtown Woodstock and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982...
, antique shops in Richmond and Hebron, downtown Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake is a city located in southeastern McHenry County in northeastern Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs. It is named after Crystal Lake, a lake located west-southwest of downtown. Crystal Lake is also a suburb of the city of Chicago. The population was 38,000 at the 2000 census, but as of...
and downtown Algonquin
Algonquin, Illinois
Algonquin is a village in Illinois located in both McHenry and Kane counties. It is a northwest suburb of Chicago, located approximately 40 miles from the Loop...
, and shops in other historic downtowns throughout the county accommodate residents and tourists alike. McHenry's Green Street is also a major attraction in the county.
Recreation
The entire county is served by the McHenry County Conservation District, which preserves sensitive land throughout the county and provides recreational opportunities for residents. The District also operates the McHenry County Prairie Path, a regional bike path that extends from the Wisconsin State Line in Richmond southward to Algonquin, where the path connects with the Fox River Bike Trail, which continues south to AuroraAurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
.
In addition, the Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
and Chain O'Lakes
Chain O'Lakes
The Chain O'Lakes is a waterway system in northeast Illinois composed of 15 lakes connected together by the Fox River and man-made channels. Encompassing more than of water, of shoreline and of river, the Chain is the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the United States...
provide immense opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. Moraine Hills State Park
Moraine Hills State Park
Moraine Hills State Park is an Illinois state park on in McHenry County, Illinois, United States.- See also :*Moraine*Illinois state parks*...
and Chain O' Lakes State Park
Chain O'Lakes State Park (Illinois)
Chain O'Lakes State Park is a Illinois state park at the inlet of the Fox River into the Chain O'Lakes in Lake and McHenry counties, in the suburban wildlife of Chicago, Illinois, USA....
are both located in the county, adjacent to the waterway. Other major lakes in the county include Crystal Lake, Wonder Lake, and McCullom Lake.
There are also dozens of parks, golf courses, and country clubs throughout the county.
Major skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
areas include Nordic Ski Jump in Fox River Grove and Buffalo Snowboarding Park in Algonquin. In addition, the Windy City Balloon Port in Fox River Grove offers hot air balloon
Hot air balloon
The hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. It is in a class of aircraft known as balloon aircraft. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, the first untethered manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes in a hot air...
rides over the Fox River Valley.
Culture
McHenry County has an active art and theater scene. The historic Woodstock Opera HouseWoodstock Opera House
The Woodstock Opera House is a historical venue for performing arts and receptions located in Woodstock, Illinois. It was designed as a multi-use facility including City Hall, and the police and fire departments by architect Smith Hoag and built by contractor Simon Brink in 1889 for a cost of...
and Crystal Lake's Raue Center for the Arts both provide exceptional programs. In addition, Algonquin is noted for its Public Art Program, which showcases artwork year-round throughout the community. The county is also ideal for photography and filming. Much of the filming for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day (film)
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story by Rubin....
took place in Woodstock.
There are also several important points of interest in the county including the Illinois Railway Museum
Illinois Railway Museum
The Illinois Railway Museum is the largest railroad museum in the United States and is located in Union, Illinois, northwest of Chicago...
and McHenry County Historical Museum in Union, the Old McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock, and a variety of historical homes including the Orson Rogers House
Orson Rogers House
The Orson Rogers House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the McHenry County, Illinois city of Marengo. The property consists of several outbuildings, currently and in the past, as well, those buildings are and were mostly agriculture related.-Ownership:The home...
, George Stickney House
George Stickney House
The George Stickney House or simply Stickney House or Stickney Mansion is located in rural McHenry County, Illinois, in the small village of Bull Valley, near Woodstock....
, Charles H. Hibbard House
Charles H. Hibbard House
The Charles H. Hibbard House, in the McHenry County city of Marengo, Illinois, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. The home, also known as the Cupola House, stood unoccupied on Grant Highway as of January 2007...
, the Terwilliger House
Terwilliger House
The 1849 Terwilliger House is a Registered Historic Place in the McHenry County, Illinois village of Bull Valley. The Greek Revival Home is topped with a square cupola and surrounded by a columned porch. Rumors persist that the home was once a part of the Underground Railroad....
, the Count's House
Count's House
The Count's House is a historic Greek Revival home in McHenry, Illinois. It is one of McHenry's oldest and most notable landmarks, as well as one of the finest preserved examples of Greek Revival architecture in McHenry County...
, and the Dole Mansion.
Throughout the year are a variety of festivals throughout the county, the centerpiece of which is the McHenry County Fair, occurring during a week in August in Woodstock. Many towns also have their own festivals throughout the year. Some of the most notable ones are the Ground Hog Days in Woodstock, Fall Fest in Huntley, the Summer Sunset Festival in Lake in the Hills, the Gala Festival in Crystal Lake, Milk Days in Harvard, Settler's Days in Marengo, Cary Days in Cary, Founders Days in Algonquin, and Fiesta Days in McHenry.
Transportation
Several Federal and state highways run through McHenry County, including U.S. Highway 20, U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 12, Illinois Route 23Illinois Route 23
Illinois Route 23 is a north–south state highway in northern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 116 in Pontiac north to U.S. Route 14 south of Harvard. This is a distance of .-Route description:...
, Illinois Route 173
Illinois Route 173
Illinois Route 173 is an east–west state road that runs from Illinois Route 251 in the Rockford suburb of Machesney Park east to Illinois Route 137 in Zion near the Illinois-Wisconsin border; this is a distance of . Illinois Route 173 is also one of the northernmost east-west state highways...
, Illinois Route 120
Illinois Route 120
Illinois Route 120 is a major east–west state highway in northeastern Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 14 near Woodstock to Illinois Route 131 in Waukegan. It travels a distance of and is one of the few roads that provides direct access from McHenry County to Interstate 94 in Lake County...
, Illinois Route 176
Illinois Route 176
Illinois Route 176 is an east–west state route in northern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 23 in Marengo to the southern terminus of Illinois Route 131 in Lake Bluff. This is a distance of .- Route description :...
, Illinois Route 47
Illinois Route 47
Illinois Route 47 is a largely rural north–south state highway that runs from the Wisconsin state border at Highway 120 near Hebron, to Illinois Route 10, just south of Interstate 72 near Seymour. This is a distance of . Even though Route 47 is primarily rural, in several suburbs of Chicago,...
, Illinois Route 31
Illinois Route 31
Illinois Route 31 is a north–south state road in northeastern Illinois, United States. It runs from U.S. Highway 34 in Oswego north to U.S. Highway 12, near the Wisconsin border, just south of Richmond. Illinois 31 is long.- Route description :...
, and Illinois Route 62
Illinois Route 62
Illinois Route 62 is an east–west state road in northeast Illinois. It runs from downtown Algonquin at Illinois Route 31 to the intersection with Illinois Route 83 by industrial Mount Prospect. This is a distance of ....
. Highly traveled county highways include Randall Road
Randall Road
Randall Road is a major north-south county highway in McHenry and Kane County, Illinois. The road is named after Norman Randall, a prominent area landowner in the 1930s. It serves as the western extent of the Fox Valley suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area. Its southern terminus is in Aurora,...
, Algonquin Road, and Walkup Road. Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
passes through McHenry County but does not have any highway interchange in McHenry County. Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
lies to the east of McHenry County in Lake County, Illinois.
McHenry County is also the most populous county in the United States without direct access to an Interstate Highway within its borders. As a result, residents usually use the nearby Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
(the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway), via an interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
two miles south of the county in Kane County
Kane County, Illinois
Kane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
, to access the interstate highway system.
McHenry County is also served by Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
Rail, which provides daily commuter service to and from downtown Chicago. There are seven stations in the county, all of them located along the Union Pacific/Northwest Line. The county is also served by Pace
Pace (transit)
Pace is the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was created in 1983 by the RTA Act, which established the formula that provides funding to CTA, Metra and Pace. In 2010, Pace had 35.077 million riders. Pace's headquarters are in...
, which provides three regular bus routes, and dial-a-ride service for several communities.
Lake in the Hills Airport
Lake in the Hills Airport
Lake in the Hills Airport is a public airport located at 8407 Pyott Road in Lake in the Hills, a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The airport is owned by the Village of Lake in the Hills and is located 38 miles northwest of the central business district of Chicago...
offers general aviation service, as do Dacy Airport and Galt Airport, in the northern part of the county. Chicago-O'Hare International Airport is approximately 30 to 40 miles from the county, while Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport is a county-owned public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Milwaukee, a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States....
is approximately 50 to 60 miles away. Chicago Rockford International Airport, a busy cargo airport with limited, scheduled passenger service is located approximately 42 miles west of the central part of the county (Woodstock).
Media
McHenry County is entirely within the scope of the ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
media market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
and the majority of the county relies primarily on Chicago television stations, radio stations, and newspapers for the source of its news and information. Certain sections of the county, particularly the rural far northern and far western parts, are also within the scope of the Milwaukee and Rockford media markets, respectively.
The county does have one FM radio station (WZSR
WZSR
WZSR is a radio station broadcasting a adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Woodstock, Illinois, USA, it serves the Chicago's Northwest suburbs. The station is currently owned by The Mile High Station Trust.-Current Radio DJ:...
- Star 105.5 FM), which plays mostly Adult Contemporary and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, and one AM radio station (WAIT
WAIT (AM)
WAIT is a radio station located near Crystal Lake, Illinois. It was purchased by Newsweb Corporation in 2004. Original call letters were WIVS....
- 850 AM). WZSR is based out of Woodstock, while WAIT is based out of Crystal Lake.
The Northwest Herald
Northwest Herald
The Northwest Herald is a daily newspaper published in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The paper has a circulation of nearly 33,000 with a coverage area of McHenry County and northern Kane County in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago....
, with a circulation of almost 39,000, is the county's primary newspaper, serving the greater McHenry County area, and printed and published in Crystal Lake. The county is also served by the larger Chicago newspapers Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
, and the suburban-focused newspaper The Daily Herald. McHenry County Living, a bimonthly lifestyle magazine serving the county, also reaches tens of thousands of area residents and businesses. There are also several weekly publications throughout the county, focusing on the individual municipalities.
Townships
- AldenAlden Township, McHenry County, IllinoisAlden Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 1,534 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- AlgonquinAlgonquin Township, McHenry County, IllinoisAlgonquin Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois, with the township office in the city of Crystal Lake. The population was 98,481 as of the 2005 Census. It is the largest township by population in McHenry County...
- BurtonBurton Township, McHenry County, IllinoisBurton Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 3,997 at the 2000 census. Burton Township changed its name from Benton Township on December 28, 1850.- External links :****...
- ChemungChemung Township, McHenry County, IllinoisChemung Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,761 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Big Foot Prairie is located partially in the township.- External links :***...
- CoralCoral Township, McHenry County, IllinoisCoral Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 3,020 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- DorrDorr Township, McHenry County, IllinoisDorr Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 18,157 at the 2000 census. Dorr Township changed its name from Centre Township on December 28, 1850.- External links :***...
- DunhamDunham Township, McHenry County, IllinoisDunham Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA. The population was 2,375 at the 2000 census. Dunham Township changed its name from Byron Township on December 28, 1850.- External links :***...
- GraftonGrafton Township, McHenry County, IllinoisGrafton Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 27,547 at the 2000 census. Grafton Township includes portions of Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, and Lakewood.- External links :***...
- GreenwoodGreenwood Township, McHenry County, IllinoisGreenwood Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 10,677 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- HartlandHartland Township, McHenry County, IllinoisHartland Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 2,063 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- HebronHebron Township, McHenry County, IllinoisHebron Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 2,166 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- MarengoMarengo Township, McHenry County, IllinoisMarengo Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 7,239 at the 2000 census. Marengo is a city located in the township.- External links :****...
- McHenryMcHenry Township, McHenry County, IllinoisMcHenry Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 41,740 at the 2000 census. McHenry Township shares the distinction with Nunda Township as being the two largest townships by land area in McHenry County, at each.- External links :...
- NundaNunda Township, McHenry County, IllinoisNunda Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 35,104 at the 2000 census. Nunda Township changed its name from Brooklyn Township on December 28, 1850. Nunda Township shares the distinction with McHenry Township as being the two largest townships by land area in McHenry...
- RichmondRichmond Township, McHenry County, IllinoisRichmond Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 4,934 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- RileyRiley Township, McHenry County, IllinoisRiley Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 1,811 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- SenecaSeneca Township, McHenry County, IllinoisSeneca Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 2,733 at the 2000 census.- External links :****...
Cities and villages
- Crystal LakeCrystal Lake, IllinoisCrystal Lake is a city located in southeastern McHenry County in northeastern Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs. It is named after Crystal Lake, a lake located west-southwest of downtown. Crystal Lake is also a suburb of the city of Chicago. The population was 38,000 at the 2000 census, but as of...
(pop. 42,180) - AlgonquinAlgonquin, IllinoisAlgonquin is a village in Illinois located in both McHenry and Kane counties. It is a northwest suburb of Chicago, located approximately 40 miles from the Loop...
(pop. 30,347) - partly in Kane CountyKane County, IllinoisKane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :... - Lake in the HillsLake in the Hills, IllinoisLake in the Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 23,152 at the 2000 census. A 2006 special census put the village's population at 29,175....
(pop. 29,704) - McHenryMcHenry, IllinoisMcHenry is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. In 2005, its population was estimated to be 24,631. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County...
(pop. 27,165) - WoodstockWoodstock, IllinoisWoodstock is a far northwest suburb of Chicago in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 20,151 at the 2000 census. The 2010 Census shows 24,770 residents. It is the county seat of McHenry County...
(pop. 24,333) - HuntleyHuntley, IllinoisHuntley is a rapidly-growing village in McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the village's population to be 22,923. As of the 2000 Census, the village had a mere 5,730 people, meaning the village's population has more than tripled in eight years...
(pop. 23,177) - partly in Kane CountyKane County, IllinoisKane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :... - CaryCary, IllinoisCary is a village located in Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,531 at the 2000 census. A 2003 special census put the village's population at 17,827.-Geography:Cary is located at ....
(pop. 19,641) - Fox LakeFox Lake, IllinoisFox Lake is a village in Grant Township, Lake County, Illinois and Richmond Township, McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 9,178 at the 2000 census.-History:...
(pop. 11,042) - mostly in Lake CountyLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area... - HarvardHarvard, IllinoisHarvard is a city located in McHenry County in the northeastern corner of the U.S. state of Illinois, approximately south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. The population was 7,996 at the 2000 census...
(pop. 9,965) - Island LakeIsland Lake, IllinoisIsland Lake is a village in Lake and McHenry Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 8,153 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Island Lake is a village located at , lying in the far northwest Chicago suburbs....
(pop. 8,617) - partly in Lake CountyLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area... - MarengoMarengo, IllinoisMarengo is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,355 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Marengo is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Major Streets:...
(pop. 7,614) - JohnsburgJohnsburg, IllinoisJohnsburg is a northwest suburban Chicago village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,391 at the 2000 census.-History:...
(pop. 6,806) - Spring GroveSpring Grove, IllinoisSpring Grove is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,880 at the 2000 census. The population has grown to 5,303 as of 2005. It is also home to Chain O'Lakes State Park.The current village president is Mark Eisenberg....
(pop. 5,807) - LakemoorLakemoor, IllinoisLakemoor is a village in Lake and McHenry counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 2,788 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lakemoor is located at ....
(pop. 5,776) - partly in Lake CountyLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area... - Fox River GroveFox River Grove, IllinoisFox River Grove is a village in the Cuba Township of Lake County and the Algonquin Township of McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,862 at the 2000 census.-History:...
(pop. 5,202) - partly in Lake CountyLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
- Barrington HillsBarrington Hills, IllinoisBarrington Hills is a village located about northwest of Chicago in the U.S. state of Illinois. It straddles approximately over four counties, Cook, Kane, Lake, and McHenry. The population was 4,209 at the 2010 census...
(pop. 4,375) - partly in CookCook County, IllinoisCook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, KaneKane County, IllinoisKane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
, and Lake CountiesLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area... - Wonder Lake (pop. 3,867)
- LakewoodLakewood, IllinoisLakewood is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,050 at the 2003 census.-Turnberry:Turnberry is a small subdivision is part of Lakewood. It contains Turnberry Country Club, which filed for bankruptcy in December 2009. Turnberry contains Turnberry Golf Club,...
(pop. 3,706) - Oakwood HillsOakwood Hills, IllinoisOakwood Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,194 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oakwood Hills is located at ....
(pop. 2,395) - RichmondRichmond, IllinoisRichmond is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States, 44 miles south-southwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 55 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois. The population was 1,091 at the 2000 census. The current village president is Lauri Olson.-History:...
(pop. 2,317) - Prairie GrovePrairie Grove, IllinoisPrairie Grove is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 960 at the 2000 census. Prairie Grove's Schools and main social and economic life are shared with the city of Crystal Lake.-Geography:...
(pop. 2,007) - HebronHebron, IllinoisHebron is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census the village population was 1,216, up from 1,038 at the 2000 census....
(pop. 1,426) - Bull ValleyBull Valley, IllinoisThe village of Bull Valley is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 726 at the 2000 census.-General:McHenry County has gently rolling, glaciated terrain. Some of the County's larger hills border the rural area of East Central McHenry County between Crystal Lake,...
(pop. 1,129) - McCullom LakeMcCullom Lake, IllinoisMcCullom Lake is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,038 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McCullom Lake is located at ....
(pop. 1,111) - Port BarringtonPort Barrington, IllinoisPort Barrington is a village in Lake and McHenry Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. It was formerly known as Fox River Valley Gardens. Fox River Valley Gardens' village board voted 4-3 in September 2002 to change the community's long-winded name to Port Barrington...
(pop. 788) - partly in Lake CountyLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area... - Holiday HillsHoliday Hills, IllinoisHoliday Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 831 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Holiday Hills is located at ....
(pop. 716) - UnionUnion, IllinoisUnion is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 580 at the 2010 census, up from 576 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Union is located at ....
(pop. 620) - Trout ValleyTrout Valley, IllinoisTrout Valley is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It was incorporated as a village on 19 March 1996. The population was 599 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Trout Valley is located at ....
(pop. 601) - RingwoodRingwood, IllinoisRingwood is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The Ringwood post office was established in the early 1900s to provide post office boxes for local industrial firms and residents located on the far northern edge of McHenry. Ringwood was incorporated as a village on 15 November...
(pop. 544) - GreenwoodGreenwood, IllinoisGreenwood is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It was incorporated as a village on 4 April 1995. The population was 244 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Greenwood is located at ....
(pop. 257)
Census designated places
- Wonder Lake (CDP)Wonder Lake (CDP), IllinoisWonder Lake is a former census-designated place in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,463 at the 2000 census. The CDP has been annexed by the village of Wonder Lake.-Geography:...
(pop. 7,463) - Pistakee HighlandsPistakee Highlands, IllinoisPistakee Highlands is a census-designated place in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It consists primarily of an unincorporated area of McHenry County adjoining Pistakee Bay, within the McHenry post office, and is located just northeast of Johnsburg...
(pop. 3,812)
Unincorporated communities
- AldenAlden, IllinoisAlden, elevation 1,004 feet , is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Being very small, the population was not listed in the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Big Foot PrairieBig Foot Prairie, Illinois and WisconsinBig Foot Prairie is an unincorporated community in both McHenry County, Illinois and Walworth County, Wisconsin in the United States. The Illinois portion of the community, which is larger, is located in Chemung Township, while the Wisconsin portion is located in the Town of Walworth. Big Foot...
(partial) - Burtons BridgeBurtons Bridge, IllinoisBurtons Bridge is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Burtons Bridge is located on the west bank of the Fox River south of Holiday Hills....
- ChemungChemung, IllinoisChemung, elevation 896 feet , is an unincorporated census-designated place in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 308.-Geography:...
- CoralCoral, IllinoisCoral is an unincorporated village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States.-Geography:Coral is located at . It is located at the intersections of US Highway 20, E Coral Road and W Coral Road....
- FranklinvilleFranklinville, IllinoisFranklinville is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Being very small, the population was not listed in the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- HarmonyHarmony, McHenry County, IllinoisHarmony is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Harmony is located on U.S. Route 20 west-southwest of Huntley....
- HartlandHartland, IllinoisHartland, elevation 922 feet , is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Being very small, the population was not listed in the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- LawrenceLawrence, IllinoisLawrence is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Lawrence is northwest of Harvard....
- RidgefieldRidgefield, IllinoisRidgefield is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Ridgefield is northwest of Crystal Lake. Ridgefield hosts a small number of antique shops in a small crossroads business district. Ridgefield also has a large grain storage facility and a retail hardware store....
- RileyRiley, IllinoisRiley, elevation , is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Being small, the population was not listed in the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Silver LakeSilver Lake, IllinoisSilver Lake is an unincorporated community located in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The area is bounded by the village of Cary to the south and Oakwood Hills to the north, and contains the community of Lake Killarney. Silver Lake has a zip code of 60013 and is served by the Cary post...
- Solon MillsSolon Mills, IllinoisSolon Mills is an unincorporated community in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Solon Mills is located on U.S. Route 12 southwest of Spring Grove. Solon Mills is part of ZIP code 60071; it once had its own post office with ZIP code 60080 before it closed on September 28, 2002....
- Sunnyside
Further reading
- Dupré, D.H. and D.M. Robertson. (2004). Water quality of Nippersink Creek and Wonder Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, 1994-2001 [Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5085]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.