McHenry County, IL Property Tax: $7,153/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in McHenry County is 2.49% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $286,900, that works out to about $7,144 per year, or $595 per month. McHenry County is located in northern Illinois, and is home to approximately 311,366 residents.
About McHenry County
McHenry County covers approximately 603.4 square miles in Illinois. The county is home to about 311,366 residents living in roughly 120,605 housing units, of which 79.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $102,836, and the median home was built in 1989.
McHenry County borders Boone County, Cook County, DeKalb County, Kane County, Lake County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Illinois
Property taxes in Illinois are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Illinois offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the McHenry County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
McHenry County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| McHenry County, IL | 2.49% | $286,900 | $7,144 |
| Illinois state average | 1.83% | — | $5,250* |
| Boone County | 2.27% | $198,600 | $4,507 |
| Cook County | 1.98% | $305,200 | $6,053 |
| DeKalb County | 2.54% | $231,900 | $5,889 |
| Kane County | 2.39% | $303,000 | $7,230 |
| Lake County | 2.68% | $326,600 | $8,743 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at McHenry County's median home value of $286,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does McHenry County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Illinois?
At 2.49%, McHenry County is higher than the Illinois state average of 1.83%. On a home at the county median of $286,900, that means about $7,144 per year — versus $5,250 at the state average rate, a difference of $1,894 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, McHenry County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in McHenry County?
For a home at the county median value of $286,900, the annual property tax in McHenry County is approximately $7,144 — or about $595 per month. For a home worth $430,350, expect around $10,716 per year. For a $573,800 home, approximately $14,288 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a McHenry County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in McHenry County are handled by the McHenry County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in McHenry County?
Illinois counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 2.49% shown here. Contact the McHenry County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File