McHenry, Illinois
Encyclopedia
McHenry is a city in McHenry County
, Illinois
, United States
. In 2005, its population was estimated to be 24,631. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County. McHenry was named for Major William McHenry
, an old Indian fighter.
McHenry is surrounded by natural lakes and streams, grassy moraine hills, gravel banks, and shallow nutrient-rich peat bogs; remnants of receding glaciers from the last ice age. Moraine Hills State Park and Volo Bog State Natural Area
preserve some of these unique natural features.
in northern Illinois
on the Fox River
. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²), of which, 11.6 square miles (30 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (4.05%) is water.
was 1,850.2 per square mile (714.4/km²). There were 8,127 housing units at an average density of 699.4 per square mile (270.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.18% White, 0.35% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races
, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.10% of the population.
There were 7,872 households of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.25.
Age distribution was 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median household income
was $55,759, and the median family income was $66,040. Males had a median income of $46,552 versus $29,808 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $23,272. About 3.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.
Union Pacific/Northwest Line
, with daily passenger service to Ogilvie Transportation Center
(Northwestern Station) in downtown Chicago
. The line that now terminates at McHenry once continued to Williams Bay, Wisconsin
, but that service was discontinued in stages in the 1960s and 1970s.
McHenry County, Illinois
McHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat is Woodstock. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 2005, its population was estimated to be 24,631. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County. McHenry was named for Major William McHenry
William McHenry
William McHenry is believed to have been born in 1771. He married Hannah Ruth Blackford in the late 1790s in Logan County, Kentucky.McHenry served as a Lieutenant in Price’s Battalion of Mounted Volunteers and participated at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, near modern Toledo, Ohio.McHenry...
, an old Indian fighter.
McHenry is surrounded by natural lakes and streams, grassy moraine hills, gravel banks, and shallow nutrient-rich peat bogs; remnants of receding glaciers from the last ice age. Moraine Hills State Park and Volo Bog State Natural Area
Volo Bog State Natural Area
The Volo Bog State Natural Area is a 1,150 acre quaking bog maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources . It is a National Natural Landmark as the only remaining open-water quaking bog in Illinois. It is located about a mile west of U.S...
preserve some of these unique natural features.
Geography
McHenry is located 50 miles northwest of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in northern Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
on the Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²), of which, 11.6 square miles (30 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (4.05%) is water.
Major streets
-
Richmond Road/Elm Street/Front Street -
Elm Street - Ringwood Road
- Ridge Road
- Curran Road
- Bull Valley Road
- McCullom Lake Road
- Crystal Lake Road
- Green Street
- Charles J Miller Road
- Chapel Hill Road
- River Road
- Draper Road
- Martin Road
- Riverside Drive
- Pearl Street
- Lincoln Road
The Fox River
McHenry lies within the watershed of the Fox River, and its downtown area is situated on that river.Demographics
The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,850.2 per square mile (714.4/km²). There were 8,127 housing units at an average density of 699.4 per square mile (270.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.18% White, 0.35% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.10% of the population.
There were 7,872 households of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.25.
Age distribution was 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $55,759, and the median family income was $66,040. Males had a median income of $46,552 versus $29,808 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $23,272. About 3.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Major industrial users including Medela, Follett Library Resources, Fabrik Industries and Plaspros have located in the City's business parks. Centegra's Northern Illinois Medical Center (NIMC) campus calls McHenry home and provides emergency, in and out-patient health care services to the City and surrounding areas. Steady residential growth has resulted in significant commercial development. The north Richmond Road corridor has become a destination for shoppers in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin areas with numerous "big box" retailers and smaller chains. The City has also been very diligent and active in preserving, promoting and revitalizing its three downtown districts: Main Street, Green Street and Riverside Drive.Transportation
McHenry is currently the terminus of a branch line on Metra'sMetra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
Union Pacific/Northwest Line
Union Pacific/Northwest Line
The Union Pacific/Northwest is a commuter rail line provided by Metra and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs...
, with daily passenger service to Ogilvie Transportation Center
Ogilvie Transportation Center
The Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center is a passenger terminal in downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA, serving the three commuter rail lines of Metra's Union Pacific District, which approach the terminal elevated above street level. It occupies the lower floors of the Citigroup Center...
(Northwestern Station) in downtown Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The line that now terminates at McHenry once continued to Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Williams Bay is a village in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,415 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Williams Bay is located at ....
, but that service was discontinued in stages in the 1960s and 1970s.
Notable people
- Gary AdamsTaylormade-adidasTaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company of Carlsbad, California is a U.S. headquartered subsidiary of the German based Adidas Group. TaylorMade was started in 1979 by Gary Adams, the inventor of the metalwood, and the company has continued to maintain a consistent presence at the top of golf product...
(d. 2000), founded TaylorMade GolfTaylormade-adidasTaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company of Carlsbad, California is a U.S. headquartered subsidiary of the German based Adidas Group. TaylorMade was started in 1979 by Gary Adams, the inventor of the metalwood, and the company has continued to maintain a consistent presence at the top of golf product...
in McHenry in 1979. - Jason FauntJason FauntJason Patrick Faunt is an American actor, best known for playing the role of Wes Collins in Power Rangers: Time Force, as well as that of Alex, the former Red Time Force Ranger....
(b. 1974), actor, grew up in McHenry. - Jace SaylerJace SaylerJames M. "Jace" Sayler is a former professional American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2001...
(b.1979), football player with Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
and the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(Super Bowl champion), attended McHenry High School (East Campus). - Matt SkibaMatt SkibaMatthew Thomas Skiba is the lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio.-Early life and family:...
(b. 1976), guitarist/singer-songwriter of the punk rock band, Alkaline TrioAlkaline TrioAlkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
, lived in McHenry during his childhood and attended McHenry High School (East Campus). - Mariann MayberryMariann MayberryMariann Mayberry is American television and stage actress.Mayberry has been an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois since 1993...
(b. 1965), actress and ensemble member of Steppenwolf Theatre CompanySteppenwolf Theatre CompanySteppenwolf Theatre Company is a Tony Award-winning Chicago theatre company founded in 1974 by Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry in the basement of a church in Highland Park, Illinois. It has since relocated to Chicago's Halsted Street, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Its name comes from...
, lived in McHenry during her childhood and is a graduate of McHenry High School (West Campus).