CountyScore

McHenry County

Illinois · IL

#97 in Illinois
51.8
County Score

County Report Card

About McHenry County, Illinois

McHenry underperforms despite prosperity

McHenry County's composite score of 47.0 actually falls below the national median of 50.0, a striking outcome for a wealthy suburban county. This paradox reveals that McHenry's high costs and tax burden outweigh its income advantages in overall livability calculations.

Lowest score among all Illinois counties

McHenry County scores 15.1 points below the Illinois state average of 62.1, ranking it the poorest performer in this eight-county group. The gap reflects the county's status as an expensive suburban area where costs fundamentally reshape livability.

Exceptional incomes drive earning potential

McHenry's income score of 50.5 is nearly double the lowest counties in this group, with median household income of $102,836 supporting affluent lifestyles. This income advantage is McHenry's primary competitive strength.

Cost and tax burden erode livability gains

McHenry's cost score of 57.3 is the lowest in this group, with median home values of $286,900 and rent averaging $1,358 monthly—three to four times higher than rural peers. The tax score of 32.1 reflects an effective rate of 2.493%, the highest in the group, leaving high-income households squeezed.

Best for affluent suburban professionals only

McHenry County suits high-earning professionals and executives who can absorb premium suburban costs and expect superior schools and services. It's less about overall value and more about selecting a specific lifestyle; families earning less than $85,000 will face genuine affordability strain.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax32.1Cost57.3SafetyComing SoonHealth78.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome50.5Risk9.2WaterComing Soon
🏛32.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠57.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼50.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare McHenry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Will County
Illinois
51.7
Median income: $107,799
Somerset County
New Jersey
51.7
Median income: $135,960
Sussex County
New Jersey
51.7
Median income: $114,316
Nueces County
Texas
51.7
Median income: $66,021
Cook County
Illinois
51.6
Median income: $81,797

Deep Dives

McHenry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in McHenry County

via TaxByCounty

McHenry County has highest tax burden

McHenry County's effective tax rate of 2.493% ranks in the 87th percentile nationally, far exceeding the national median of 1.728%. The median property tax of $7,153 is 2.7 times the national median of $2,690, reflecting both elevated rates and higher home values of $286,900—the only county in this cohort with values near the national median.

McHenry leads Illinois in tax burden

At 2.493%, McHenry County carries the highest effective tax rate in Illinois, exceeding the state average of 1.831% by 0.66 percentage points. The median property tax of $7,153 is 2.6 times the state median of $2,782—by far the heaviest tax load in the state.

Dramatically outpaces all regional peers

McHenry County's 2.493% rate towers above every comparison county—nearly 0.4 percentage points higher than Mason County (2.146%) and more than twice as high as Massac County (1.499%). This reflects the Chicago suburban market's concentrated service and infrastructure demands.

Homeowners pay $7,153 annually

On McHenry County's median home value of $286,900 and effective rate of 2.493%, residents pay approximately $7,153 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related fees, total obligations climb to $7,337.

Reassessment critical at this tax level

With property taxes exceeding $7,000 annually, even modest assessment corrections can yield substantial savings for McHenry County homeowners. File a reassessment appeal with the McHenry County Assessor—the process is free and could significantly reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McHenry County

via CostByCounty

McHenry's premium costs, premium incomes

McHenry County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% exceeds the national norm, with a median rent of $1,358/month that's the highest in this review. However, McHenry's median household income of $102,836 is 37% above the national average, enabling residents to absorb these premium costs.

Illinois's most expensive housing market

McHenry's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% ranks among Illinois's less affordable counties, and its median rent of $1,358 far exceeds the state average of $837. The median home value of $286,900 reinforces McHenry's position as the state's priciest housing market.

Premium market demands premium income

McHenry's $1,358 rent dramatically exceeds Madison ($969), McLean ($992), and all other regional peers by $300-600/month. McHenry's median income of $102,836 is equally exceptional—the highest reviewed—making these premium costs sustainable for its affluent resident base.

Luxury housing, luxury incomes

McHenry residents earning a median of $102,836 spend $1,358/month on rent (15.8%) or $1,724/month on homeownership (20.2%). While these represent significant outlays, they consume a proportionally manageable share of income due to the county's exceptional earning power.

McHenry rewards the well-compensated

Relocating to McHenry County is ideal if your income rivals the area's $102,836 median—otherwise, you'll face affordability stress. If you're moving to or from McHenry, expect the highest rents and home values in Illinois, offset only by the highest incomes in the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McHenry County

via IncomeByCounty

McHenry leads region with premium incomes

McHenry County's median household income of $102,836 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $28,081, placing it in the top 15% of U.S. counties. McHenry families earn roughly 37% more than typical American households, reflecting a highly skilled workforce and affluent suburban economy.

McHenry dominates Illinois income rankings

At $102,836, McHenry County earns $34,256 more than Illinois's statewide median of $68,580, ranking it among the state's top 5 highest-income counties. This commanding lead reflects strong ties to Chicago-area professional services, technology, and corporate headquarters.

McHenry vastly outearns all peer counties

McHenry County ($102,836) outearns McLean ($78,329) by $24,507, Madison ($74,800) by $28,036, and all other featured peers by even larger margins. Its per capita income of $48,275—the highest among all counties examined—signals an economy dominated by high-earning professionals.

High incomes absorb premium home costs

McHenry's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% remains healthy despite median home values reaching $286,900—the highest among featured counties. High household incomes make expensive properties manageable, though mortgage qualification requires strong credit and significant down payment reserves.

Leverage McHenry wealth for long-term gains

McHenry households earning $102,836 have substantial capacity to build wealth through diversified investments; directing even 10% of income into a 401(k), taxable brokerage, or real estate sidelines annual savings of $10,283. Engaging a fee-only financial advisor to optimize tax-advantaged strategies can accelerate multi-million-dollar wealth accumulation over career spans.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McHenry County

via HealthByCounty

McHenry County leads national health rankings

At 79.5 years, McHenry County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 78.3 years by 1.2 years. With only 15% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national average of 18%.

Illinois's healthiest county

McHenry County's 79.5-year life expectancy ranks among the state's highest, trailing only the absolute elite—nearly 3.5 years above the state average of 76.0. The 5.9% uninsured rate also beats the Illinois average of 6.3%.

Excellent healthcare infrastructure

McHenry County's 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 278 mental health providers per 100,000 represent strong healthcare capacity. These resources support the county's exceptional health outcomes compared to state peers.

Comprehensive coverage and access

McHenry County's 5.9% uninsured rate and 45 primary care providers per 100,000 create strong conditions for health maintenance. The county's 15% poor/fair health rate—among the state's best—reflects the benefits of robust healthcare infrastructure and coverage.

Keep McHenry's streak going

Even in Illinois's healthiest county, 5.9% of residents lack coverage—roughly 10,000 people without protection. Visit Healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage and help McHenry County maintain its position as a health leader.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McHenry County

via RiskByCounty

McHenry faces above-average risk

McHenry County's composite risk score of 90.78 places it in the Relatively Moderate category, well above Illinois's state average of 54.46. This elevated profile makes McHenry one of the state's higher-risk counties overall.

Among Illinois's riskiest counties

McHenry County ranks as one of the highest-risk counties in Illinois, with exceptionally high tornado (96.34) and flood (93.10) risks. Its wildfire risk of 31.62 is notably elevated compared to most Illinois counties.

Riskier than most surrounding areas

McHenry County's composite score of 90.78 is comparable to Madison County (93.42) and McLean County (86.90), placing it among the state's most vulnerable regions. It significantly exceeds the risk profiles of most other northern Illinois counties.

Flooding and tornadoes are paramount

McHenry County faces a flood risk of 93.10 and tornado risk of 96.34—both extraordinarily high and among the state's worst. These dual threats make comprehensive preparedness and proper insurance coverage essential for all residents.

Flood and wind coverage are critical

McHenry County's extreme flood (93.10) and tornado (96.34) risks mean flood insurance and wind damage coverage are not optional. Consider reinforcing your home's structural integrity and maintaining a well-supplied emergency shelter space.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.