RANK #428 / 1001 NAT · #18 / 28 IL · POP 312,591
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
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.
McHenry County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.5% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 17.2x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
McHenry County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#428). Median household income is $104,802 and job growth is running at +1.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in McHenry County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $308,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,401/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in McHenry County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs +1.0%. 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 3.21% 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.