McHenry, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McHenry, Illinois
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| City of McHenry | |
The McHenry Riverwalk
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| Nickname(s):
"Heart of the Fox River"
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Location of McHenry in McHenry County, Illinois
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 McHenry, Illinois
Location in Illinois
McHenry, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States  |
| State | Illinois  |
| County | McHenry |
| Townships | McHenry Township, Nunda Township, Grant Township, Wauconda Township. |
| Founded | May 10, 1836 |
| Incorporated (village) | 1872 |
| Named for | William McHenry |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council government |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.96 sq mi (38.74 km2) |
| • Land | 14.54 sq mi (37.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 797 ft (243 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 27,135 |
| • Density | 1,866.74/sq mi (720.74/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
60050 and 60051
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| Area codes | 815 and 779 |
| FIPS code | 17-45694 |
| GNIS feature ID | 424159 |
| Wikimedia Commons | McHenry, Illinois |
McHenry is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, in the United States. It's located about 55 miles northwest of Chicago. In 2020, the city had a population of 27,135 people.
McHenry was once the main city of McHenry County. This county used to include Lake County too. The city was named after Major William McHenry, a brave officer in the US Army during the Black Hawk War.
The city sits at an elevation of 797 feet. The Fox River flows through the eastern part of McHenry. The area is surrounded by beautiful natural lakes, streams, and grassy hills. You can also find gravel banks and shallow peat bogs. These features are leftovers from the last ice age when glaciers melted. Places like Moraine Hills State Park, Glacial Park Conservation Area, and Volo Bog State Natural Area help protect these unique natural spots.
Contents
History of McHenry
Early Settlers in the 1800s
In the 1830s, many settlers came to the McHenry area. They helped build the city we know today. Some of their family names, like McCullom, McLean, Boone, and Wheeler, are still seen around.
George Gage arrived in 1835. He bought land west of the Fox River. This area became known as Gagetown. Later, in 1854, George Gage helped bring the railroad to the city. Gagetown was eventually renamed West McHenry.
In 1851, a dam was built on Boone Creek. This created a body of water called Mill Pond. The pond was located between today's railroad tracks and Route 31. It was also north of Waukegan Road.
The historic Count's House was finished in 1860. On August 4, 1875, the first city newspaper, the McHenry Plaindealer, was published. Jay Van Slyke was its publisher. In 1880, the first bridge in McHenry was built at Pearl Street.
McHenry in the 1900s
On March 30, 1908, a train crashed near the McHenry train station. It was on its way to Ringwood. Sadly, one person died in the accident.
In 1929, Mill Pond was drained. This happened when the dam on Boone Creek was removed.
The original Pearl Street bridge was a single lane. It was built over the Fox River between 1880 and 1881. This iron bridge was taken apart in 1976. A part of it was moved to Crystal Lake to be a walking bridge. The original bridge was replaced with a new concrete bridge.
In 1985, the McHenry Plaindealer newspaper joined the Northwest Herald.
Geography and Natural Features
McHenry is located 46 miles northwest of Chicago. It is in northeastern Illinois along the Fox River. The city covers about 14.50 square miles (38.74 square kilometers). McHenry is part of the Fox River Valley. The downtown area is right on the river. The city's motto is "The Heart of the Fox River."
Lake Defiance is a 48-acre lake. It is the main feature of Moraine Hills State Park. This park is on the east side of town. Lake Defiance is a glacial lake. It is surrounded by wooded hills called kames and moraines.
Climate and Weather in McHenry
The weather in McHenry is usually similar to Chicago's. However, summers can sometimes be warmer, and winters can be colder. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 103°F (39°C). This happened on July 4, 1974. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -30°F (-34°C). This happened on January 31, 2019.
| Climate data for McHenry, Illinois, 1981–2010 normals, extremes, 1888–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 62 (17) |
70 (21) |
83 (28) |
90 (32) |
99 (37) |
102 (39) |
103 (39) |
100 (38) |
96 (36) |
88 (31) |
76 (24) |
68 (20) |
103 (39) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 28 (−2) |
33 (1) |
44 (7) |
57 (14) |
68 (20) |
78 (26) |
82 (28) |
79 (26) |
72 (22) |
60 (16) |
47 (8) |
33 (1) |
57 (14) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 21 (−6) |
25 (−4) |
35 (2) |
48 (9) |
58 (14) |
68 (20) |
73 (23) |
71 (22) |
62 (17) |
51 (11) |
39 (4) |
26 (−3) |
48 (9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13 (−11) |
17 (−8) |
26 (−3) |
38 (3) |
48 (9) |
58 (14) |
63 (17) |
61 (16) |
52 (11) |
41 (5) |
30 (−1) |
18 (−8) |
39 (4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −30 (−34) |
−23 (−31) |
−13 (−25) |
5 (−15) |
22 (−6) |
35 (2) |
38 (3) |
38 (3) |
25 (−4) |
14 (−10) |
−10 (−23) |
−23 (−31) |
−30 (−34) |
| Average rainfall inches (mm) | 1.9 (48) |
1.97 (50) |
2.29 (58) |
3.56 (90) |
4.24 (108) |
3.85 (98) |
3.78 (96) |
4.86 (123) |
3.4 (86) |
3.1 (79) |
3.04 (77) |
2.26 (57) |
38.25 (972) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.9 (28) |
8.4 (21) |
4.1 (10) |
0.6 (1.5) |
— | 0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
— | 1.4 (3.6) |
9.3 (24) |
35.9 (91) |
| Source 1: http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?month=7 | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lot | |||||||||||||
Population and People
The population of McHenry has grown a lot over the years. Here's how the population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 874 | — | |
| 1890 | 979 | 12.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,013 | 3.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,031 | 1.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,146 | 11.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,354 | 18.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,596 | 17.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,080 | 30.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,336 | 60.4% | |
| 1970 | 6,772 | 103.0% | |
| 1980 | 10,737 | 58.5% | |
| 1990 | 16,177 | 50.7% | |
| 2000 | 21,501 | 32.9% | |
| 2010 | 26,992 | 25.5% | |
| 2020 | 27,135 | 0.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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Understanding the 2020 Census Data
The 2020 census helps us understand the different groups of people living in McHenry. The table below shows the racial and ethnic makeup of the city. Keep in mind that "Hispanic/Latino" is an ethnic group. People of any race can be Hispanic/Latino.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 19,536 | 22,661 | 21,144 | 90.86% | 83.95% | 77.92% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 62 | 173 | 280 | 0.29% | 0.64% | 1.03% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 43 | 45 | 20 | 0.20% | 0.17% | 0.07% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 191 | 411 | 493 | 0.89% | 1.52% | 1.82% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 7 | 40 | 0.06% | 0.03% | 0.15% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 121 | 240 | 954 | 0.56% | 0.89% | 3.52% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,527 | 3,450 | 4,200 | 7.10% | 12.78% | 15.48% |
| Total | 21,501 | 26,992 | 27,135 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Culture and Fun Activities
McHenry hosts a special event called Fiesta Days. This is a ten-day festival held in the middle of summer. It features music, parades, delicious food, and cool car shows.
Historic Places to Visit
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The Count's House is a historic building in McHenry.
Recreation and Entertainment
McHenry is home to Moraine Hills State Park. This park has many miles of hiking trails. It also connects to the Stratton Lock and Dam. You can fish from the dam if you have a valid fishing license.
The city has many parks for everyone to enjoy. The Prairie Trail also runs through the middle of McHenry. This trail is part of the larger Grand Illinois Trail.
The live entertainment venue on Green Street used to be a movie theater. It was called 'The McHenry Theatre' and operated from 1955 to 2014. It reopened as the McHenry Downtown Theater in 2018 with three screens. It closed in January 2022 and became a live entertainment spot.
East of town, there's a drive-in movie theater. It's open from March to December. It shows both new and classic movies. It first opened on July 20, 1951, as the Skyline Theater. In 2013, it won a contest and got a new digital projector. Today, it's known as the McHenry Outdoor Theater.
Economy and Businesses
McHenry has three main downtown areas. These are Green Street, Riverside Drive, and Main Street. They are full of local shops and restaurants. The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce also runs the McHenry RiverWalk Shoppes. These are 10 small shops in Miller Point Park. Local businesses can rent them for different seasons.
The McHenry Riverwalk connects the Green Street and Riverside Drive downtown areas. It is about 0.73 miles (1.17 km) long. It runs along Boone Creek and the Fox River. Along the Riverwalk, you'll find homes, shops, restaurants, and places for entertainment. There are also parks like Miller Point Park and Weber's Park.
Major industrial companies in McHenry include Medela and Follett School Solutions. Other important businesses are Fabrik Industries, Brake Parts Inc, Jessup Manufacturing Company, and Plaspros Inc. These companies are located in the city's business parks.
Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital provides healthcare services. It has 143 beds for emergency care and patient services. It serves the city and nearby areas.
North of Illinois Route 120 on Illinois Route 31, there's a large shopping area. You can find stores like Meijer, Aldi, Home Depot, Kohls, and Dick's Sporting Goods there.
Education and Learning
Schools and Libraries in McHenry
Two school districts serve the city of McHenry. These are McHenry Community High School District 156 and McHenry School District 15. District 156 has two high schools. District 15 has five elementary schools and three middle schools.
McHenry has one public library. It is part of the Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) group. The library has physical books, DVDs, and magazines. It also offers access to online digital content. The library provides various training classes and has meeting rooms available for use.
Colleges and Higher Education
The City of McHenry is home to the Shah Center. This center offers business seminars and training programs. These programs are provided by McHenry County College.
Transportation Options
Airports Near McHenry
The closest public international airports are O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. Another option is Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin.
The closest private airport is Galt Field in Wonder Lake. It has a 3000-foot by 50-foot runway. This airport is used by small general aviation aircraft.
Public Transportation Services
McRide is a special transportation service provided by Pace Bus. Metra also offers train services. These options help people travel between McHenry and nearby towns.
Bike Trails for Cycling
The Prairie Trail runs through the middle of McHenry. It starts in Crystal Lake and connects to trails near the Wisconsin border. This is great for biking!
Passenger Train Service
McHenry is the last stop on a train line. This line is part of Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line. On weekdays, you can take a train to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago. This train line used to go all the way to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. However, that service stopped in the 1960s and 1970s.
Main Roads in McHenry
Illinois Route 31 and Illinois Route 120 meet in the city center. These are the main roads for getting into and out of McHenry.
Famous People from McHenry
Many notable people have connections to McHenry:
- Gary Adams (died 2000), who started TaylorMade Golf in McHenry in 1979.
- Pamela Althoff (born 1953), who was a member of the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2018. Before that, she was the Mayor of McHenry.
- John Brzenk (born 1964), a world champion arm wrestler.
- Jason Faunt (born 1974), an actor who grew up in McHenry.
- Mariann Mayberry (born 1965), a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She lived in McHenry and graduated from McHenry High School.
- Jace Sayler (born 1979), a football player who won the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He went to McHenry High School.
- Matt Skiba (born 1976), a Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist for the bands Blink-182 and Alkaline Trio.
- Robert Tonyan (born 1994), a professional American football player for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Joe Walsh (born 1961), a radio personality and former congressman for Illinois.
- Craig Wilcox (born 1967), a member of the Illinois Senate since 2018. He lives in McHenry.
- Jack Perconte (born 1954), an MLB Baseball Player for the Dodgers, Indians, and Mariners.
- Amie Cunat (born 1986), an artist known for her paintings and installations.
Notable Animals
- Two Eyed Jack, a famous Quarter Horse stallion and showhorse, was born in McHenry. He is known for being the leading sire (father) of American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) champions.
See also
In Spanish: McHenry (Illinois) para niños
