McHenry County Blog

12,831,970 in the middle of 2006 versus 12,765,427 for the 2000 census.

A growth of 66,543.

A growth rate of just a tiny bit over one-half of one percent.

But the nation as a whole grew almost twice as fast--one percent (0.98%).

Still the fifth largest state.

Only one state larger—New York—shrunk in population.

The larger northern states, like Illinois, were pretty stagnant.

All neighboring states grew more than Illinois (+0.52%), except Wisconsin, which tied.

• Indiana +0.77
• Iowa +0.57
• Missouri +0.75
• Kentucky +0.79

So, what happened in McHenry County?

Seventeen municipalities grew faster than the state average. Six grew less.

Crystal Lake is still the largest--by a lot--41,533.

Almost tied for second place are Algonquin and Lake in the Hills at under 30,000.

McHenry is fourth at almost 25,000, while Woodstock is fifth at almost 23,000. Huntley is next at 20,000. Cary is a bit under 20,000.

The rest are much smaller, with the next being Harvard, which is under 10,000.

The fastest growing, using actual people, was Huntley, which added 2,376 residents.

Here's the ranking of those where more than 100 people were added:

• Huntley +2,376
• McHenry +910
• Algonquin +884
• Woodstock +694
• Lake in the Hills +573
• Harvard +549
• Cary +463
• Crystal Lake +458
• Wonder Lake + 251
• Lakewood +110,

By those figures, you can guess where school bond referendums have been or will be held, except for Wonder Lake, which gained population by adding already built subdivisions.

A look at percentage growth for those increasing more than 1% might give an idea of which villages and cities might have the greatest challenges in providing additional services:

• Huntley +13.4%
• Richmond +9%
• Wonder Lake +9%
• Harvard +6%
• Hebron +5.2%
• McHenry +3.6%
• Prairie Grove 3.6%
• Woodstock +3.1%
• Lakewood +3.1%
• Algonquin +3%
• Cary +2.4%
• Lake in the Hills +2%
• Barrington Hills +1.3%
• Marengo +1.2%
• Crystal Lake +1.1%
• Island Lake +1%

Find your town. Here are the differences, estimated 2006 population listed first, 2000 second, difference third, percentage increase last. Towns growing faster than the state average are shown in boldface type.

Algonquin 29,886 vs. 29,022: +884, +3%
Barrington Hills 4,320 vs. 4,264: +56, +1.3%
Cary 19,633 vs. 19,170: +463, +2.4%
Crystal Lake 41,533 vs. 41,075: +458, +1.1%
Fox River Grove 5,144 vs. 5,098: +46, +0.9%
Greenwood 249 vs. 248: Essential no change
Harvard 9,694 vs. 9,145: +549, +6%
Hebron 1,204 vs. 1,145: +59, +5.2%
Holiday Hills 815 vs. 816: Essentially no change
Huntley 20,047 vs. 17,671: +2,376, +13.4%
Island Lake 8,533 vs. 8,447: +86, +1%
Lake in the Hills 29,359 vs. 28,786: +573, +2%
Lakewood 3,623 vs. 3,513: +110, +3.1%
Marengo 7,499 vs. 7,404: +95, +1.2%
McHenry 25,884 vs. 24,974: +910, +3.6%
Oakwood Hills 2,375 vs. 2,365: +10, +0.4%
Prairie Grove 1,884 vs. 1,819: +65, +3.6%
Richmond 2,288 vs. 2,222: +66, +3%
Ringwood 493 vs. 492: Essentially no change
Trout Valley 609 vs. 609: No change
Union 582 vs. 580: Essentially no change
Woodstock 22,777 vs. 22,083: +694, +3.1%
Wonder Lake (remember, this is only the incorporated area) 3,036 vs. 2,785: + 251, +9%

Labels: Census, McHenry County, Population, Population Growth