The City of McHenry, located in McHenry County, is approximately 50 miles northwest of Chicago, 10 miles from the Wisconsin border and minutes from I-90 and I-94. McHenry is also served by METRA, the Chicagoland Commuter rail service, with a station conveniently located in the downtown area.

The city is served by McHenry School district 15, which serves approximately 4,800 students from grades K-8. McHenry High School district 156 serves grades 9-12 and approximately 2,500 students.