Long known as a center of recreation along with agriculture in the western portion, it has recently experienced rapid rates of suburbanization, exurbanization and urbanization, but the western segment of the county remains primarily agricultural and rural.

[5] McHenry County is like much of the Upper Midwest, as it usually sees hot, humid summers, and cold, snowy winters.

The county is notably susceptible to high wind events, blizzards, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding.

[citation needed] The current Sheriff of McHenry County, Illinois is Robb Tadelmann, who was first elected in 2022.

No person with significant ties to McHenry County has ever been elected to the United States Congress or Illinois governorship.

[citation needed] The mother of U.S. President Gerald Ford, Dorothy Ayer Gardner, was born in Harvard in 1892.

Amita (formerly Presence) and Advocate health systems also maintain a strong influence in the county, and have hospitals in nearby Elgin and Barrington.

Prior to its acquisition by Northwestern Medicine, Centegra was the largest independent employer in McHenry County.

Much of McHenry County's economy centers around manufacturing, metalworking, media development and printing, transportation equipment, agriculture, health care, education, retail, food production, distribution, and technology.

[30] The major employment centers can be found in Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock.

[31][citation needed] The southern portions of the county are within the scope of the Golden Corridor, the region of commerce along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

In addition, several historic downtowns throughout the county offer unique shops and eateries in charming environments.

In 2012, the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge was established and encompasses parts of McHenry County.

The historic Woodstock Opera House and Crystal Lake's Raue Center for the Arts both provide exceptional programs.

In addition, Algonquin is noted for its Public Art Program, which showcases artwork year-round throughout the community.

As a result, residents usually used the nearby Interstate 90 (the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway), via interchanges in neighboring Kane County.

But a new interchange is now completed at I-90 and Illinois Route 23, which provides McHenry County with direct access to the interstate highway system.

McHenry County is served by Metra Rail, which provides daily commuter service to and from downtown Chicago.

McHenry County is entirely within the scope of the Chicago media market and the majority of the county relies primarily on Chicago television stations, radio stations, and newspapers for the source of its news and information.

Certain sections of the county, particularly the rural far northern and far western parts, are also within the scope of the Milwaukee and Rockford media markets, respectively.