Photo: “McHenry Riverwalk” by Dwatling98, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
McHenry, Illinois is a city of about 29,200 people on the Fox River in McHenry County. Zillow put its typical home value at about $313,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, below the McHenry County figure of about $368,000.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. McHenry gets a lot of questions from buyers who want river access and a lower price point than some nearby towns. Here’s what to know before you start touring.
McHenry at a Glance
- Population: 29,217 (Census estimate, July 2025); 27,135 in the 2020 Census.
- County: McHenry County.
- Typical home value: about $313,000 (Zillow, Sept. 30, 2026).
- Median property tax bill: about $5,919 (Ownwell, McHenry County data).
- Schools: McHenry School District 15 (elementary and middle) and McHenry Community High School District 156.
- Train: Metra’s McHenry station, the end of the Union Pacific Northwest line’s McHenry branch.
McHenry Home Prices in 2026
As of Sept. 30, 2026, McHenry’s typical home value was about $313,000, up 5.2% from a year earlier, and homes went pending in around 14 days, according to Zillow.
For comparison, Zillow showed McHenry County’s typical home value at about $368,000 on the same date, up 4.7% year over year. That gap is a big reason buyers look at McHenry.
You’ll find a wide mix: older homes near downtown and the river, established subdivisions, and newer neighborhoods. River and lake properties are their own market, so I compare those only against other waterfront sales.
If you own in McHenry now and wonder what your home would sell for, request my free home value report.
Property Taxes in McHenry
Ownwell’s McHenry County data puts McHenry’s median tax bill at about $5,919, lower than the medians it shows for Crystal Lake ($7,845) and Huntley ($8,100). Using 2024 Illinois Department of Revenue rates, TaxByAddress calculated an effective rate of about 2.09% for McHenry in Nunda Township and about 2.07% in McHenry Township. McHenry spans more than one township, so the exact rate depends on where the home is.
Compare towns in my property tax guide for Huntley, Crystal Lake, Algonquin and Barrington.
Schools
McHenry is served by McHenry School District 15 for the younger grades and McHenry Community High School District 156 for high school. District 156 students even helped design and build the Riverwalk Shoppes at Miller Point. Boundaries don’t always follow city limits, so confirm assigned schools for the exact address and look up each school on the Illinois Report Card.
Commute
McHenry’s Metra station at 4005 Main Street is the end of the McHenry branch of the Union Pacific Northwest line, with trains to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. Service is limited. As of 2024, the branch had six weekday trains (three each way) and no weekend service, and most Northwest Line trains run on the Harvard branch through Crystal Lake instead, so some riders use that station. Always check Metra’s current schedule.
The Fox River and the Riverwalk
McHenry’s big draw is the water. The McHenry Riverwalk runs along the Fox River and Boone Creek downtown. Its first section was built in 2005, and in February 2024 the city council approved $1.5 million to build Phase 4, connecting the route from the Route 120 bridge to the Pearl Street bridge. Along the way you’ll find Miller Point and the Riverwalk Shoppes, and the river itself means boating, fishing and waterfront dining in summer.
Honest Downsides
- Limited train service. The McHenry branch has only a few weekday trains.
- Older homes near downtown. Budget for updates and get a thorough inspection.
- Waterfront due diligence. On river or lake homes, check flood zones, flood insurance costs, seawalls and pier rights before you buy.
How McHenry Compares Nearby
Weighing other towns? Read my guides to moving to Crystal Lake, moving to Woodstock, moving to Cary and moving to Lake in the Hills. Or watch Don’t Move to Crystal Lake Until You Watch This on my channel.
Before you tour, get pre-approved and check where mortgage rates are this fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in McHenry, IL?
Zillow put McHenry’s typical home value at about $313,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Are property taxes high in McHenry, IL?
They’re lower than many nearby towns. Ownwell’s data shows a median bill of about $5,919 in McHenry, compared with about $7,845 in Crystal Lake.
Does McHenry, IL have a Metra station?
Yes. The McHenry station at 4005 Main Street is the end of Metra’s UP-NW McHenry branch, but it has only a few weekday trains and no weekend service.
What school districts serve McHenry, IL?
McHenry School District 15 serves the younger grades, and McHenry Community High School District 156 serves high school. Confirm assigned schools for any address.
How many people live in McHenry, IL?
The Census Bureau estimated McHenry’s population at 29,217 as of July 1, 2025.
Ready to Look at McHenry?
Tell me your budget and whether the river is a must, and I’ll send you homes that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, search homes for sale, or contact me here.
Selling a McHenry home first? Find out what your McHenry home is worth.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR, ABR®, SRS®, Certified Luxury Home agent, BHHS Luxury Collection Specialist) | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.