Algonquin
RANK #212 / 996 NAT · #19 / 28 IL · POP 311,133
1YR FORECAST: +3.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Woodstock, the county seat of McHenry County, Illinois, is known for its historic Woodstock Square, which features the Woodstock Opera House and was a filming location for "Groundhog Day." McHenry County is located in northern Illinois, bordering Wisconsin, and is considered one of the five collar counties of the Chicago metropolitan area. While parts of the county are suburban, particularly the southeastern portions, the western and northern areas retain a rural character. Commute options to Chicago include Metra commuter rail service from seven stations within the county. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, with the Fox River and numerous lakes providing opportunities for water sports, and over 25,000 acres of preserved land for hiking and biking, including the 26-mile McHenry County Prairie Trail.
McHenry County offers a quality of life that blends suburban and rural living, attracting families and professionals. The public schools in McHenry County are highly rated, with several districts recognized for their performance. The county has a low crime rate and an affordable cost of living compared to national averages. Economically, McHenry County has seen growth, adding nearly 200 new businesses since 2021, outpacing some neighboring counties. Tourism also plays a role, generating $336.1 million in visitor spending in 2022 and supporting over 2,000 jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry. The county actively promotes economic development through partnerships and programs aimed at business expansion and workforce development.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 7.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, McHenry County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.6%, and median household income stands at $100,101 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IL.
By national standards, McHenry County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $270,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,310/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in McHenry County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.6%. Home values shifted +4.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.06% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests McHenry County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.