countyscore

McHenry County, North Dakota — County Report Card

ND

#11 in North Dakota

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
69.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 88.3Income & Jobs 82.5Health 78.9

County Report Card

About McHenry County, North Dakota

McHenry County outperforms the national median

With a composite score of 69.3, McHenry County sits well above the national median of 50.0. This score places the county among the more desirable rural areas in the United States.

A leader in North Dakota livability

McHenry County's score of 69.3 significantly beats the North Dakota state average of 61.5. It remains one of the state's most balanced counties for overall quality of life.

High incomes and environmental security

The county excels with an income score of 84.5 and a median household income of $80,614. Its risk score of 88.3 also indicates exceptional resilience against natural disasters.

Managing water quality and infrastructure

Water quality is the primary area for improvement, with a score of 25.6 lagging behind other dimensions. Addressing these infrastructure needs could further elevate the county's total score.

The verdict: Ideal for stable families

This county suits families looking for high earning potential and low natural risk. With a low effective tax rate of 0.663%, it offers a strong financial foundation.

2040608010065.177.662.678.970.682.588.325.640.8Tax65.1Cost77.6Safety62.6Health78.9Schools70.6Income82.5Risk88.3Water25.6Weather40.869.9/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

McHenry County DNA

C-overall

How McHenry County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

McHenry County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (88.3/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
65.1+13.099999999999994
Cost
77.6+29.599999999999994
Safety
62.6
Health
78.9+28.900000000000006
Schools
70.6+16.599999999999994
Income
82.5+31.5
Risk
88.3+41.3
Water
25.6-32.4
Weather
40.8-15.200000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in McHenry County?

Many homeowners in McHenry County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$151,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$713/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$151,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $80,733/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare McHenry County with Brown County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Brown County
Indiana
Median income: $78,528
69.9
Marshall County
Minnesota
Median income: $72,543
69.9
Assumption Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $51,423
70
Butler County
Nebraska
Median income: $79,268
70
Griggs County
North Dakota
Median income: $61,711
70
Floyd County
Virginia
Median income: $62,191
70
McCreary County
Kentucky
Median income: $33,750
69.8
Hinsdale County
Colorado
Median income: $75,972
69.7

Nearby counties

Bottineau County
North Dakota
59.7
Pierce County
North Dakota
61.5
Sheridan County
North Dakota
60.6
Rolette County
North Dakota
57.6
Ward County
North Dakota
48
Renville County
North Dakota
68.8
McLean County
North Dakota
59.9
Wells County
North Dakota
69.1

Deep Dives

McHenry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in McHenry County

via TaxByCounty

McHenry's tax rate beats national average

McHenry County's effective tax rate of 0.663% is less than half the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax here is just $949 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference of $1,741 per year.

Below average in North Dakota

McHenry County ranks in the lower half of North Dakota counties, with an effective rate of 0.663% versus the state average of 0.885%. Homeowners here pay $949 in median property tax, about $511 less than the statewide median of $1,460.

Cheaper than nearby counties

McHenry County's rate of 0.663% is lower than McIntosh County (1.080%) and Nelson County (0.803%), though it's slightly higher than McKenzie County (0.412%). Among the eight-county region, only McKenzie offers a substantially lower effective rate.

Your estimated annual property tax

On McHenry's median home value of $143,200, expect to pay approximately $949 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,021 due to escrow requirements, while those owning outright pay closer to $872.

Could your assessment be wrong?

Many North Dakota homeowners discover their property is overassessed during appeal windows. If you believe your home's valuation is inaccurate, filing a tax assessment appeal could reduce your annual bill—often with minimal paperwork and no filing fee.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in McHenry County

via IncomeByCounty

McHenry outearns the nation

McHenry County's median household income of $80,614 runs 7.8% ahead of the national median of $74,755. This strong earnings position reflects the county's stable economy and workforce compared to most U.S. counties.

A top performer in North Dakota

McHenry ranks among North Dakota's higher-income counties at $80,614, surpassing the state average of $72,537 by more than $8,000. The county consistently outperforms statewide norms for household earnings.

Competitive with nearby counties

McHenry's $80,614 sits in the middle range of its regional peers—below McKenzie County's $88,289 but above McIntosh County's $64,236. It matches closely with McLean County ($81,847), indicating similar economic conditions across the region.

Rent is very affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 11.0%, McHenry households spend less than one-eighth of income on rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold. This leaves ample room in household budgets for savings and other essentials.

Build on your earnings advantage

McHenry's above-average incomes and low housing costs create an ideal window for wealth-building. Consider dedicating a portion of your savings advantage to a diversified investment portfolio or retirement account to compound your financial security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in McHenry County

via CrimeByCounty

McHenry County Outperforms National Safety Standards

With a total crime rate of 863.7 per 100K, McHenry County is significantly safer than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an impressive safety score of 98.6 out of 100. This indicates a high level of security compared to most American communities.

A Leader in North Dakota Safety

McHenry County's safety score of 98.6 slightly exceeds the North Dakota state average of 98.5. Its total crime rate also sits below the state average of 976.6 per 100K. Local figures come from a single reporting agency and should be interpreted with that focused scope in mind.

Safer Than Many Regional Neighbors

McHenry County reports a lower total crime rate than nearby McLean County, which sits at 940.6 per 100K. However, its violent crime rate of 169.0 is higher than McLean's 122.7. Despite these differences, it remains a regional leader in overall low crime frequency.

Property Crime vs Violent Incidents

Property crime accounts for the majority of local offenses at 694.7 per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 169.0. Both metrics are well under national benchmarks of 2,015.7 for property and 369.8 for violent crime. Residents are statistically far more likely to face theft than physical harm.

Maintaining Peace of Mind in McHenry

Low crime rates offer peace of mind, but basic precautions like motion-sensor lighting can further deter opportunistic theft. Staying proactive helps the community maintain its high safety score. Awareness of local trends ensures McHenry remains one of the state's safest spots.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in McHenry County

via WeatherByCounty

Northern Latitude Weather in McHenry

McHenry County averages 40.1°F annually, placing it firmly in the cold continental climate zone. This average is nearly 15 degrees below the national median temperature.

Cooler than the North Dakota Average

The county’s 40.1°F annual temperature is nearly one degree lower than the state average of 41.0°F. Precipitation is also lower than average, with only 18.4 inches falling annually.

Drier than the Eastern Counties

McHenry is noticeably drier than Grand Forks, receiving about 4 inches less precipitation per year. It is warmer than Griggs County (39.3°F) but cooler than Logan (41.7°F).

Sharp Winters and Balanced Summers

The county experiences 43.3 inches of snow and a winter average of 11.5°F. July is warm at 68.9°F, and the area sees about 12 days of extreme heat reaching above 90°F.

Prepare for Long Winter Months

Winter readiness is paramount given the 8.2°F January average and 43.3 inches of snow. While summers have 12 heat days, the primary climate challenge for residents is the sustained winter cold.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in McHenry County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Sands of McHenry County

McHenry County features an alkaline soil profile with an average pH of 7.21, notably higher than the national median of 6.5. This slight alkalinity sits just above the North Dakota state average of 7.18.

A Sandy Foundation for Growth

The soil contains 49.3% sand, 30.6% silt, and 18.4% clay. This high sand content suggests rapid water movement and easier tilling compared to the heavier clay soils found in other parts of the state.

High Organic Matter Boosts Yields

Organic matter reaches a rich 5.36%, significantly outperforming the national average of 2.0%. While the water capacity of 0.177 in/in is slightly below the state average, the nutrient-dense soil provides a strong foundation for local crops.

Natural Aeration and Rapid Drainage

Local records do not specify a dominant drainage class, but the 49.3% sand ratio indicates naturally porous behavior. This composition helps prevent waterlogging during the spring thaw, though it may require more frequent irrigation in dry summers.

Hardy Crops for Zone 4a

Situated in Hardiness Zone 4a, McHenry County supports hearty staples like spring wheat and sunflowers. Gardeners can thrive here by choosing cold-hardy varieties that leverage the exceptionally high organic content.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in McHenry County

via LawnByCounty

McHenry County’s Moderate Lawn Challenge

With a lawn difficulty score of 49.5, McHenry County is slightly more challenging than the national median of 50.0 and below the North Dakota average of 54.0. The USDA Hardiness Zone 4a designation means homeowners must choose exceptionally hardy turf to survive the harsh winter temperatures.

Limited Rain Drives Watering Needs

The county receives just 18.4 inches of annual precipitation, which is less than half of the 40 inches many lawns require. With 12 extreme heat days and 2,052 growing degree days, lawns face intense periods of stress that require supplemental irrigation to stay green.

Sandy Soils and Alkaline pH

The soil is comprised of 49.3% sand and 18.4% clay, suggesting high drainage rates that can dry out grass roots quickly. At a pH of 7.21, the soil is slightly more alkaline than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, which may limit the availability of some essential nutrients.

Managing 15 Weeks of Drought

McHenry County experienced 15 weeks of drought over the past year, making water conservation a critical part of lawn care. While current conditions are clear of drought, practicing deep, infrequent watering will help your lawn build the resilience needed for future dry periods.

Planting for Success in McHenry

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue are the best choices for this 4a climate. Plan to seed after the final spring frost around May 15, or during the late summer window before the first fall frost arrives on September 25.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McHenry County's county score?
McHenry County, North Dakota has a composite county score of 69.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does McHenry County rank among counties in North Dakota?
McHenry County ranks #11 among all counties in North Dakota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in McHenry County, North Dakota?
The median annual property tax in McHenry County is $994, with an effective tax rate of 0.66%. This earns McHenry County a tax score of 65.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in McHenry County?
The median household income in McHenry County, North Dakota is $80,733 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. McHenry County earns an income score of 82.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is McHenry County, North Dakota a good place to live?
McHenry County scores 69.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in North Dakota. The best way to evaluate McHenry County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare McHenry County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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