McHenry
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set McHenry County apart from the other 3,142 counties: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (342 Mbps), the average temperature is in the bottom 2% of American counties (41°F), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within North Dakota it ranks 2nd of 53 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in McHenry County, North Dakota. 5,326 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -58).

North Dakota's income tax is now among the lowest of any state that has one, with a top rate under 2.5% after 2023 cuts funded by oil revenue, and it stopped taxing Social Security in 2021. Housing is inexpensive and the state has the lowest unemployment in the country in most years. Winters are severe, and the Bakken oil economy makes the western counties boom and bust.

Money

The typical household here brings in $78,071 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,382. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 57% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $577 a year.

Home

The median home costs $157K, cheaper than 82% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $581 a month. Property tax is 0.66% of home value, roughly $906 a year on that median home, lower than 70% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 88% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.8 years, longer than 62% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 3.8 per 10,000 people. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.84 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 69% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Dakota law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 41°F, highs near 53 and lows near 30, colder than 98% of American counties. About 17 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 53 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 32 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 342 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.