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{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}} {{Distinguish|Henry County, Illinois}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2008}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = McHenry County | state = Illinois | seal = McHenry County il seal.jpg | flag = McHenry_County,_Illinois_flag.gif | founded = January 16, 1836 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mchenrycountyhistory.org/day-mchenry-county-history|title=Day in McHenry County History - McHenry County Historical Society and Museum|website=www.mchenrycountyhistory.org|access-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523013905/http://www.mchenrycountyhistory.org/day-mchenry-county-history|archive-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> | named for = [[William McHenry]] | seat wl = Woodstock | largest city wl = Crystal Lake | area_total_sq_mi = 611 | area_land_sq_mi = 603 | area_water_sq_mi = 7.6 | area percentage = 1.3 | census yr = 2020 | pop = 310229 | pop_est_as_of = 2023 | population_est = 312800 {{increase}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = www.mchenrycountyil.gov | ex image = WoodstockILCourtHJail.JPG | ex image cap = [[Old McHenry County Courthouse]] in [[Woodstock, Illinois]] | district = 9th | district2 = 10th | district3 = 11th | district4 = 16th | time zone = Central }} '''McHenry County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Illinois]]. According to the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], it had a population of 310,229,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Index of /programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Illinois|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Illinois/|access-date=August 14, 2021|website=www2.census.gov}}</ref> making it the sixth-most populous county in Illinois. Its [[county seat]] is [[Woodstock, Illinois|Woodstock]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> McHenry County is one of the five Illinois [[collar counties]] in the [[Chicago metropolitan area]]. Long known as a center of [[recreation]] along with agriculture in the western portion, it has recently experienced rapid rates of [[suburbanization]], [[exurb]]anization and [[urbanization]], but the western segment of the county remains primarily agricultural and rural. ==History== McHenry County was formed in 1836 out of [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]] and [[LaSalle County, Illinois|LaSalle]] counties. The county was named for Major [[William McHenry]], a member of the Illinois Militia during Tecumseh's War, a major during the Blackhawk War in 1832, and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate. He died in [[Vandalia, Illinois]] in 1835. McHenry County originally stretched all the way east to [[Lake Michigan]], with the county seat centrally in [[McHenry, Illinois|McHenry]], but in 1839, the eastern townships of the county were carved out forming [[Lake County, Illinois|Lake County]]. <gallery> File:McHenry County Illinois 1836.png|McHenry County at the time of its creation in 1836 File:McHenry County Illinois 1839.png|McHenry County was reduced to its current size in 1839 by the creation of [[Lake County, Illinois]]. </gallery> ===Historical sites=== [[File:Terwilliger House.JPG|thumb|225px|The Terwilliger House is one of several historical sites in McHenry County]] * [[Count's House|The Count's House, 3803 Waukegan Rd, McHenry]] * [[Charles H. Hibbard House|Charles H. Hibbard House, 413 W Grant Hwy, Marengo]] * [[Col. Gustavus A. Palmer House|Col. Gustavus A. Palmer House, 5516 Terra Cotta Rd., Crystal Lake]] * [[Orson Rogers House|Orson Rogers House, 19621 E Grant Hwy, Marengo]] * [[Lucein Boneparte Covell House|Lucein Boneparte Covell House, 5805 Broadway, Richmond]] * [[Memorial Hall (Richmond, Illinois)|Memorial Hall, 10308 Main St, Richmond]] * [[Old McHenry County Courthouse|Old McHenry County Courthouse, Woodstock City Square, Woodstock]] * [[Woodstock Opera House|Woodstock Opera House, 110 Van Buren St, Woodstock]] * [[Woodstock Square Historic District|Woodstock Square Historic District, Woodstock]] * [[George Stickney House|George Stickney House, 1904 Cherry Valley Rd, Bull Valley]] * [[Terwilliger House|Terwilliger House, Mason Hill Rd & Cherry Valley Rd, Bull Valley]] ==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|611|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|603|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.6|sqmi}} (1.3%) is water.<ref name="census-density"/> ===Adjacent counties=== * [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth County]], [[Wisconsin]] - north * [[Kenosha County, Wisconsin|Kenosha County]], [[Wisconsin]] - northeast * [[Lake County, Illinois|Lake County]] - east * [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] - southeast * [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane County]] - south * [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb County]] - southwest * [[Boone County, Illinois|Boone County]] - west ==Climate and weather== {{climate chart |[[Woodstock, Illinois]] |11|28|1.48 |16|33|1.29 |26|45|2.42 |37|59|3.71 |47|71|4.10 |57|81|4.56 |62|85|3.86 |60|82|4.47 |51|75|3.32 |39|63|2.61 |29|47|2.69 |17|33|1.97 |float=right |units=imperial |clear=both |source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web |url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL1290 |title = Monthly Averages for Woodstock, Illinois |access-date = January 27, 2011 |publisher = The Weather Channel |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023161059/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL1290 |archive-date = October 23, 2012 }}</ref> }} In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Woodstock have ranged from a low of {{convert|11|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|85|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-29|°F}} was recorded in January 1979 and a record high of {{convert|109|°F}} was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.29|in}} in February to {{convert|4.56|in}} in June.<ref name="weather"/> 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 [[Chicago Blizzard of 1967|Blizzard of 1967]], the 1967 [[Belvidere - Oak Lawn tornado outbreak]], the [[Chicago Blizzard of 1979|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]]. ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1840= 2578 |1850= 14978 |1860= 22089 |1870= 23762 |1880= 24908 |1890= 26114 |1900= 29759 |1910= 32509 |1920= 33164 |1930= 35079 |1940= 37311 |1950= 50656 |1960= 84210 |1970= 111555 |1980= 147897 |1990= 183241 |2000= 260075 |2010= 308760 |estyear=2023 |estimate=312800 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref> |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|archive-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424084443/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt|archive-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203824/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|archive-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17111.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606203417/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17111.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}</ref> 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Illinois/|title=Index of /Programs-surveys/Decennial/2020/Data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Illinois}}</ref> |2020=310229}} McHenry county has the highest percentage of [[non-Hispanic whites]] amongst the five [[collar counties]] of Chicago (McHenry, [[Lake County, Illinois#Demographics|Lake]], [[DuPage County, Illinois#Demographics|DuPage]], [[Kane County, Illinois#Demographics|Kane]], and [[Will County, Illinois#Demographics|Will]]). ===2020 census=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''McHenry County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – McHenry County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US17111&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – McHenry County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US17111&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – McHenry County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US17111&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |233,026 |258,584 |style='background: #ffffe6; |238,659 |89.60% |83.75% |style='background: #ffffe6; |76.93% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |1,379 |3,045 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,073 |0.53% |0.99% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.31% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |352 |455 |style='background: #ffffe6; |325 |0.14% |0.15% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |3,734 |7,712 |style='background: #ffffe6; |8,669 |1.44% |2.50% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.79% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |42 |68 |style='background: #ffffe6; |45 |0.02% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |150 |210 |style='background: #ffffe6; |872 |0.06% |0.07% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |1,792 |3,437 |style='background: #ffffe6; |10,881 |0.69% |1.11% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.51% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |19,602 |35,249 |style='background: #ffffe6; |46,705 |7.54% |11.42% |style='background: #ffffe6; |15.06% |- |'''Total''' |'''260,077''' |'''308,760''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''310,229''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |} As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 308,760 people, 109,199 households, and 82,288 families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17111 |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014414/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17111 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|511.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 116,040 housing units at an average density of {{convert|192.4|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17111 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212201447/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17111 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 90.1% white, 2.5% Asian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 4.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 11.4% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 34.4% were of [[Germans|German]] heritage, 18.7% were of [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry, 14.2% [[Polish people|Polish]], 10.8% [[Italians|Italian]], 7.8% [[English people|English]], and 3.7% of [[Americans|American]] heritage.<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17111 |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032842/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17111 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Of the 109,199 households, 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.6% were non-families, and 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.25. The median age was 38.0 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/> The median income for a household in the county was $76,482 and the median income for a family was $86,698. Males had a median income of $61,971 versus $42,125 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,838. About 4.9% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17111 |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024101/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17111 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Communities== ===Cities=== * [[Crystal Lake, Illinois|Crystal Lake]] * [[Harvard, Illinois|Harvard]] * [[Marengo, Illinois|Marengo]] * [[McHenry, Illinois|McHenry]] (mostly) * [[Woodstock, Illinois|Woodstock]] (county seat) ===Villages=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * [[Algonquin, Illinois|Algonquin]] (mostly) * [[Barrington Hills, Illinois|Barrington Hills]] (part) * [[Bull Valley, Illinois|Bull Valley]] * [[Cary, Illinois|Cary]] * [[Fox Lake, Illinois|Fox Lake]] (part) * [[Fox River Grove, Illinois|Fox River Grove]] (part) * [[Greenwood, Illinois|Greenwood]] * [[Hebron, Illinois|Hebron]] * [[Holiday Hills, Illinois|Holiday Hills]] * [[Huntley, Illinois|Huntley]] (part) * [[Island Lake, Illinois|Island Lake]] (part) * [[Johnsburg, Illinois|Johnsburg]] * [[Lake in the Hills, Illinois|Lake in the Hills]] * [[Lakemoor, Illinois|Lakemoor]] (part) * [[Lakewood, Illinois|Lakewood]] * [[McCullom Lake, Illinois|McCullom Lake]] * [[Oakwood Hills, Illinois|Oakwood Hills]] * [[Port Barrington, Illinois|Port Barrington]] (part) * [[Prairie Grove, Illinois|Prairie Grove]] * [[Richmond, Illinois|Richmond]] * [[Ringwood, Illinois|Ringwood]] * [[Spring Grove, Illinois|Spring Grove]] * [[Trout Valley, Illinois|Trout Valley]] * [[Union, Illinois|Union]] * [[Wonder Lake, Illinois|Wonder Lake]] {{div col end}} ===Census-designated places=== {{Div col|colwidth=15em}} * [[Alden, Illinois|Alden]] * [[Big Foot Prairie, Illinois|Big Foot Prairie]] * [[Burtons Bridge, Illinois|Burtons Bridge]] * [[Chemung, Illinois|Chemung]] * [[Coral, Illinois|Coral]] * [[Franklinville, Illinois|Franklinville]] * [[Harmony, McHenry County, Illinois|Harmony]] * [[Hartland, Illinois|Hartland]] * [[Lawrence, Illinois|Lawrence]] * [[Pistakee Highlands, Illinois|Pistakee Highlands]] * [[Ridgefield, Illinois|Ridgefield]] * [[Riley, Illinois|Riley]] * [[Solon Mills, Illinois|Solon Mills]]{{Div col end}} Before the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], only [[Chemung, Illinois|Chemung]] and [[Pistakee Highlands, Illinois|Pistakee Highlands]] were CDPs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 24, 2020|title=New CDPs for Review in the PSAP Verification Phase|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/partnerships/psap|access-date=June 20, 2021|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> ===Unincorporated communities=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * [[Belden, Illinois|Belden]] * [[Palm Beach, Illinois|Palm Beach]] (part) * [[Silver Lake, Illinois|Silver Lake]] * [[Terra Cotta, Illinois|Terra Cotta]] {{div col end}} ===Townships=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * [[Alden Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Alden]] * [[Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Algonquin]] * [[Burton Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Burton]] * [[Chemung Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Chemung]] * [[Coral Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Coral]] * [[Dorr Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Dorr]] * [[Dunham Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Dunham]] * [[Grafton Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Grafton]] * [[Greenwood Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Greenwood]] * [[Hartland Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Hartland]] * [[Hebron Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Hebron]] * [[Marengo Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Marengo]] * [[McHenry Township, McHenry County, Illinois|McHenry]] * [[Nunda Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Nunda]] * [[Richmond Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Richmond]] * [[Riley Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Riley]] * [[Seneca Township, McHenry County, Illinois|Seneca]] {{div col end}} ==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 47]], features county offices as well as judicial facilities.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} The current Chairman of the McHenry County Board is Michael Buehler, who was first elected in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/county-board/meet-your-county-board-members/michael-buehler}} </ref> The current Sheriff of McHenry County, Illinois is Robb Tadelmann, who was first elected in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mchenrysheriff.org/about-us/the-sheriff.aspx|title=McHenry County Sheriff|website=mchenrysheriff.org|access-date=September 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030055659/http://mchenrysheriff.org/about-us/the-sheriff.aspx|archive-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> ===Politics=== As one of the [[Yankee]]-settled and prosperous outer suburban "collar counties", McHenry County was a stronghold of the Free Soil Party in its first few elections, being one of nine Illinois counties to give a plurality to Martin van Buren in 1848. McHenry County has voted for the Republican candidate for president in all but two elections since [[1852 United States presidential election|1852]] ([[History of the Republican Party (United States)|the Republican party was founded in 1854]]), the first being when “Bull Moose” candidate and former Republican president [[Theodore Roosevelt]] won the county [[1912 United States presidential election|in 1912]].<ref name="PGyard"/> Recent elections in 2004 and 2000 saw [[George W. Bush]] capture 59.72% and 58.5% of the county vote, respectively. In [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Barack Obama]], then a Senator from Illinois, captured McHenry County with 52% of the vote—the first time a Democrat had carried the county since 1852.<ref name="PGyard">The Political Graveyard; [http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/IL/MH-votes.html McHenry County, Illinois] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206170635/http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/IL/MH-votes.html |date=February 6, 2012 }}</ref> In the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]], Obama only received 44% of the vote whereas Republican [[Mitt Romney]] captured 53% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mcvote.com|title=mcvote|publisher=Mcvote.com|access-date=December 7, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217132737/http://mcvote.com/|archive-date=December 17, 2014}}</ref> In the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], Republican [[Donald Trump]] received 50% of the vote whereas Democratic [[Hillary Clinton]] received 42% of the vote. In [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]], [[Joe Biden]] came within 3% of carrying the county for the Democrats for the second time since 1852. McHenry County is now the only collar county that still leans Republican. No person with significant ties to McHenry County has ever been elected to the United States Congress or Illinois governorship.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020|reason=This claim needs a reliable source; Illinois has been a state since 1819 and McHenry County was founded in 1836, and has had a substantial population for many years. It seems unlikely no one with ties to it has ever been elected to Congress.}} The mother of U.S. President Gerald Ford, [[Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford|Dorothy Ayer Gardner]], was born in [[Harvard, Illinois|Harvard]] in 1892. {{PresHead|place=McHenry County, Illinois|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|archive-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|2024|Republican|83,933|75,370|3,779|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|82,260|78,154|4,164|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|71,612|60,803|11,515|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|71,598|59,797|2,842|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|64,845|72,288|2,499|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|76,412|50,330|1,206|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|62,112|40,698|3,375|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|41,136|31,240|10,880|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|41,356|24,783|22,155|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|46,135|18,919|445|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|47,282|14,420|340|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|40,045|14,540|7,070|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|37,115|16,799|1,075|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|36,114|12,090|108|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|27,245|10,896|3,044|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|22,503|18,014|0|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|25,787|12,659|62|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|24,912|6,820|66|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|20,975|7,218|64|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|15,387|5,459|103|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|15,666|5,567|66|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|16,480|6,170|145|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1936|Republican|12,031|6,893|942|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1932|Republican|9,880|8,260|454|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|10,661|5,596|62|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|8,751|1,372|2,892|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|9,885|1,536|195|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|9,024|3,278|231|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1912|Progressive|2,370|1,913|3,164|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|5,331|1,887|283|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,409|1,309|288|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,234|2,076|158|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,047|1,913|157|Illinois}} {{PresFoot|1892|Republican|3,205|2,311|294|Illinois}} ==Education== [[McHenry County College]], a 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. This is a list of high schools that can be found in the county: {| class="wikitable" |+Public High Schools in McHenry County !Name of School !School District !Enrollment (2018–19)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Illinois Report Card|url=https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/|access-date=July 2, 2020|website=www.illinoisreportcard.com}}</ref> !Athletic Conference !Team Mascot !City |- |Alden-Hebron High School |Alden-Hebron School District #19<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alden-hebron.org/|title=Alden-Hebron School District #19|website=www.alden-hebron.org|language=en|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> |110 |Northeastern Athletic Conference<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://nac.8to18.com/|title=Northeastern Athletic Conference|website=nac.8to18.com|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> |Giants |[[Hebron, Illinois|Hebron]] |- |[[Cary-Grove High School]] | rowspan="3" |[[Community High School District 155]] |1,644 |[[Fox Valley Conference]] |Trojans |[[Cary, Illinois|Cary]] |- |[[Crystal Lake Central High School]] |1,477 |[[Fox Valley Conference]] |Tigers |[[Crystal Lake, Illinois|Crystal Lake]] |- |[[Crystal Lake South High School]] |1,480 |[[Fox Valley Conference]] |Gators |[[Crystal Lake, Illinois|Crystal Lake]] |- |[[Jacobs High School|Harry D. Jacobs High School]] |[[Community Unit School District 300]] |2,089 |[[Fox Valley Conference]] |Golden Eagles |[[Algonquin, Illinois|Algonquin]] |- |[[Harvard High School (Illinois)|Harvard High School]] |Community Unit School District 50<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cusd50.org/|title=Harvard CUSD 50}}</ref> |740 |[[Kishwaukee River Conference]] |Hornets |[[Harvard, Illinois|Harvard]] |- |[[Huntley High School]] |[[Consolidated School District 158]] |3,082 |[[Fox Valley Conference]] |Red Raiders |[[Huntley, Illinois|Huntley]] |- |[[Johnsburg High School]] |Johnsburg District 12<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.johnsburg12.org/|title=Johnsburg District 12|website=www.johnsburg12.org|language=en|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> |593 |[[Kishwaukee River Conference]] |Skyhawks |[[Johnsburg, Illinois|Johnsburg]] |- |[[Marengo Community High School]] |[[Marengo Community High School|Marengo Community High School District 154]] |665 |[[Kishwaukee River Conference]] |Indians |[[Marengo, Illinois|Marengo]] |- |[[McHenry East High School]] | rowspan="2" |[[McHenry Community High School District 156]] |700 | rowspan="2" |[[Fox Valley Conference]] | rowspan="2" |Warriors |[[McHenry, Illinois|McHenry]] |- |[[McHenry West High School]] |1,443 |[[McHenry, Illinois|McHenry]] |- |[[Prairie Ridge High School]] |[[Community High School District 155]] |1,371 |[[Fox Valley Conference]] |Wolves |[[Crystal Lake, Illinois|Crystal Lake]] |- |[[Richmond-Burton Community High School]] |[[Richmond-Burton Community High School|Richmond-Burton High School District 157]] |636 |[[Kishwaukee River Conference]] |Rockets |[[Richmond, Illinois|Richmond]] |- |[[Woodstock High School (Illinois)|Woodstock High School]] | rowspan="2" |[[Woodstock Community Unit School District 200]] |1,008 |[[Kishwaukee River Conference]] |Blue Streaks |[[Woodstock, Illinois|Woodstock]] |- |[[Woodstock North High School]] |949 |[[Kishwaukee River Conference]] |Thunder |[[Woodstock, Illinois|Woodstock]] |} Students in McHenry County may also be zoned into schools in other counties, such as [[Dundee-Crown High School]] in neighboring [[Carpentersville, Illinois|Carpentersville]]. {| class="wikitable" |+Private High Schools in McHenry County !Name of School !Religious Affiliation !Enrollment !Athletic Conference !Team Mascot !City |- |[[Marian Central Catholic High School]] |[[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] |590<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fast Facts - Marian Catholic Central|url=https://www.marian.com/about/fast-facts/|access-date=July 2, 2020|website=www.marian.com|language=en-US}}</ref> |[[East Suburban Catholic Conference]] |Hurricanes |[[Woodstock, Illinois|Woodstock]] |} ==Medical facilities== Hospitals currently in the county include Mercy Harvard Hospital, [[Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center]] in McHenry, [[Centegra Memorial Medical Center]] in Woodstock, and Centegra's Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. Amita (formerly Presence) and Advocate health systems also maintain a strong influence in the county, and have hospitals in nearby Elgin and Barrington. On September 1, 2018, Centegra was acquired by Northwestern Medicine of Chicagonois. Prior to its acquisition by Northwestern Medicine, Centegra was the largest independent employer in McHenry County. It is now part of a network of more than 10 hospitals and 400 care locations. ==Economy== Much of McHenry County's economy centers around manufacturing, metalworking, media development and printing, transportation equipment, agriculture, health care, education, retail, food production, distribution, and technology. Gravel mining makes up a sizable portion of the county's economy.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Keeperman | first1=Brittany | title=McHenry County Mining, Gravel Pits a Controversial Part of Local Economy | url=http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/01/mchenry-county-mining-gravel-pits-a-controversial-part-of-local-economy/albujrd/ | date=March 3, 2018 | newspaper=[[Northwest Herald]] | access-date=March 10, 2018 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311201613/http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/01/mchenry-county-mining-gravel-pits-a-controversial-part-of-local-economy/albujrd/ | archive-date=March 11, 2018 }}</ref> The major employment centers can be found in Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://realestateprochicago.com/chicagoland-real-estate/mchenry-county-illinois/|title=McHenry County Illinois|website=realestateprochicago.com|language=en-US|access-date=December 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171857/http://realestateprochicago.com/chicagoland-real-estate/mchenry-county-illinois/|archive-date=December 28, 2017}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} The southern portions of the county are within the scope of the [[Golden Corridor]], 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 center (retail)|lifestyle centers]] [[Algonquin Commons]] and [[Algonquin Galleria]], and the regional indoor mall [[Spring Hill Mall]] in [[West Dundee, Illinois|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, Illinois|Crystal Lake]] and downtown [[Algonquin, Illinois|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. ==Recreation== [[File:The Lost Kame Marsh.jpg|thumb|225px|Glacial Park, located in Northeast McHenry County]] 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 [[Prairie Trail|McHenry County Prairie Path]], a regional bike path that extends from the Wisconsin State Line in [[Richmond, Illinois|Richmond]] southward to [[Algonquin, Illinois|Algonquin]], where the path connects with the [[Fox River Trail (Illinois)|Fox River Bike Trail]], which continues south to [[Aurora, Illinois|Aurora]]. In addition, the [[Fox River (Illinois River tributary)|Fox River]], Kishwaukee 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 (Illinois)|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. In 2012, the [[Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge]] was established and encompasses parts of McHenry County. ==Culture== [[File:Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, IL.JPG|thumb|225px|Woodstock Opera House]] McHenry County has an active art and theater scene. The historic [[Woodstock Opera House]] 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 (film)|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 [[Crystal Lake, Illinois#history|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 and the Great Lake Steelpan Festival in Woodstock, Fall Fest in Huntley, the Summer Sunset Festival in Lake in the Hills, the Lakeside 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== ===Major highways=== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * [[File:I-90.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 90]] * [[File:US 12.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 12]] * [[File:US 14.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 14]] * [[File:US 20.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 20]] * [[File:Illinois 22.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 22]] * [[File:Illinois 23.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 23]] * [[File:Illinois 31.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 31]] * [[File:Illinois 47.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 47]] * [[File:Illinois 62.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 62]] * [[File:Illinois 120.svg|25px]] [[Illinois Route 120]] * [[File:Illinois 173.svg|25px]] [[Illinois Route 173]] * [[File:Illinois 176.svg|25px]] [[Illinois Route 176]] * [[Lake Cook Road]] * [[Randall Road]] {{div col end}} Several Federal and state highways run through McHenry County, including [[U.S. Highway 20]], [[U.S. Highway 14]], [[U.S. Highway 12]], [[Illinois Route 22]], [[Illinois Route 23]], [[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, Rakow Road, and Walkup Road. McHenry County was the most populous county in the United States without direct access to an [[Interstate Highway]] within its borders. As a result, residents usually used the nearby [[Interstate 90]] (the [[Jane Addams Memorial Tollway]]), via [[Interchange (road)|interchanges]] in neighboring [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane County]]. But a new interchange is now completed at I-90 and Illinois Route 23, which provides McHenry County with direct access to the interstate highway system. [[Interstate 94]] lies to the east of McHenry County in Lake County, Illinois. ===Mass transportation=== McHenry County is 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 (transit)|Pace]], which provides four fixed bus routes (550, 806, 807, and 808), and MCRide Dial-A-Ride transit service operated by Pace and First Transit. ===Airports=== [[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 {{convert|30 to 40|mi|km|abbr=}} from the county, while Milwaukee's [[Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport]] is approximately {{convert|50 to 60|mi|km|abbr=}} away. [[Chicago Rockford International Airport]], a busy cargo airport with limited, scheduled passenger service is located approximately {{convert|42|mi|km|abbr=}} west of the central part of the county (Woodstock). ==Media== McHenry County is entirely within the scope of the [[Chicago]] [[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 has an FM radio station, [[WZSR]] (Star 105.5 FM), which plays mostly [[adult contemporary]] and [[pop music]]. WZSR is based out of Crystal Lake. The ''[[Northwest Herald]]'', with a circulation of approximately 21,000,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Northwest Herald Circulation Plunges - McHenry County Blog|url=http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/11/27/northwest-herald-circulation-plunges/|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=mchenrycountyblog.com|date=November 27, 2017}}</ref> is the county's primary newspaper, serving the greater McHenry County area, and printed and published in Crystal Lake. ''Lake and McHenry County Scanner'', launched in 2012 by Sam Borcia, is a local digital newspaper which covers McHenry County and nearby [[Lake County, Illinois]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/about-us/|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=Lake and McHenry County Scanner|language=en-US}}</ref> The county is also served by the larger Chicago newspapers ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', and the suburban-focused newspaper ''[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|The Daily Herald]]''. ''McHenry County Living'', a bimonthly lifestyle magazine serving the county, reaches tens of thousands of area residents and businesses. ==See also== * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in McHenry County, Illinois]] ==References== ;Specific {{Reflist|30em}} ;General * {{cite book | first = Richard L. (editor) | last = Forstall | year = 1996 | title = Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses | publisher = United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division | isbn = 0-934213-48-8 }} ==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. ==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/ McHenry County official website] * [http://genealogytrails.com/ill/wm_mchenry_1818constitution.htm Major William McHenry] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150403205143/http://www.mchsonline.org/ McHenry County Historical Society] * [https://archive.today/20130111080709/http://history.rays-place.com/il/cty-mchenry.htm History of McHenry County Townships] * [http://www.uwmchenry.org/ United Way of McHenry County] * [http://www.mccdistrict.org McHenry County Conservation District] * [http://www.carsandracingstuff.com/library/special/mchenrycountyillinois.php McHenry County at The Crittenden Automotive Library] * [http://www.conservemc.org/ The Land Conservancy of McHenry County] * [http://www.mchenry.edu/ McHenry County College] * [https://mchenrycountylocal.com/ McHenry County Local] * [https://www.mccdistrict.org/ McHenry County Conservation District] {{Geographic Location |Centre = McHenry County, Illinois |North = [[Walworth County, Wisconsin]] |Northeast = [[Kenosha County, Wisconsin]] |East = [[Lake County, Illinois|Lake County]] |Southeast = [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] |South = [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane County]] |Southwest = [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb County]] |West = [[Boone County, Illinois|Boone County]] |Northwest = [[Rock County, Wisconsin]] }} {{McHenry County, Illinois}} {{Chicagoland}} {{Illinois}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|42.32|-88.45|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IL_source:UScensus1990}} [[Category:McHenry County, Illinois| ]] [[Category:1836 establishments in Illinois]] [[Category:Chicago metropolitan area|McHenry County]] [[Category:Illinois counties]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1836]]
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