McHenry, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McHenry, Illinois had a total population of 28,074, the 73rd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $86,315, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in Illinois.
McHenry Quick Facts
How McHenry Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,774 | 28,074 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $86,865 | $86,315 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $244,900 | $266,500 | +8.8% |
How McHenry Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
McHenry Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McHenry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | 40,579 | $108,418 | 6.8% | $311,400 |
| Lake in the Hills | 28,800 | $117,151 | 4.1% | $321,900 |
| Woodstock | 26,147 | $82,758 | 6.0% | $245,700 |
| Cary | 17,923 | $113,026 | 4.8% | $309,800 |
| Harvard | 9,598 | $67,617 | 11.8% | $175,400 |
| Marengo | 7,040 | $73,523 | 15.7% | $229,900 |
| Johnsburg | 6,386 | $121,023 | 12.1% | $328,300 |
| Spring Grove | 5,917 | $134,210 | 1.4% | $398,400 |
| Lakewood | 4,707 | $173,625 | 3.5% | $552,600 |
| Wonder Lake | 4,292 | $94,655 | 2.9% | $252,200 |
Cities Similar to McHenry
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntley | 28,005 | $88,536 | $334,300 | 42.5% | 8.6% |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | $86,059 | $199,200 | 16.2% | 14.8% |
| Burbank | 28,739 | $80,116 | $275,700 | 15.6% | 12.9% |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | $299,800 | 52.6% | 11.6% |
| Lansing | 28,284 | $75,569 | $177,000 | 28.2% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
McHenry is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within McHenry County. The total population is 28,074. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in McHenry is 43.9 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McHenry is $86,315. This is 4% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $266,500. Housing costs are 1% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McHenry is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.8%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McHenry, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McHenry, Illinois?
McHenry, Illinois has a population of 28,074 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McHenry, IL?
The median household income in McHenry is $86,315, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McHenry, IL?
The poverty rate in McHenry is 4.7%. This means approximately 1,295 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McHenry, Illinois?
McHenry's population is 79.1% White, 0.6% Black, 15.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in McHenry, IL?
The median home value in McHenry is $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is McHenry, Illinois?
25.7% of adults (25+) in McHenry hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.