Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

This article is about the city. For the lake, see Geneva Lake.

City in Wisconsin, United States

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

City

Geneva Lake

The Riviera

Main Street

Motto(s):

"Where Memories are Born and Reborn"

Location of Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin.

Lake Geneva

Show map of Wisconsin

Lake Geneva

Show map of the United States

Coordinates: 42°35′33″N 88°26′4″W﻿ / ﻿42.59250°N 88.43444°W﻿ / 42.59250; -88.43444
Country|  United States
State|  Wisconsin
County| Walworth
Incorporated (village)| January 27, 1844
Incorporated (city)| March 30, 1883[1]
Government

• Mayor| Todd Krause
• Administrator| David Nord
• City Council| Current Council Members
Area

[2]

• Total

| 6.87 sq mi (17.79 km2)
• Land| 6.86 sq mi (17.76 km2)
• Water| 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation

[3]

| 879 ft (268 m)
Population

(2020)[4]

• Total

| 8,277
• Density| 1,181.83/sq mi (456.28/km2)
Time zone| UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code|

53147

Area code| 262
FIPS code| 55-41450[5]
GNIS feature ID| 1581223[3]
Website| www.cityoflakegeneva.com

Lake Geneva is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located in Walworth County and situated on Geneva Lake, it was home to 8,277 people as of the 2020 census, up from 7,651 at the 2010 census. It is located 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Milwaukee and 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Chicago.

Given its relative proximity to the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, Lake Geneva has become a popular resort town that thrives on tourism. Since the late 19th century, it has been home to numerous lakefront mansions owned by wealthy Chicagoans as second homes, leading it to be nicknamed the "Newport of the West."[7]

## History

[edit]

Originally called "Maunk-suck" (Big Foot)" after the man who led the local band of the Potawatomi in the first half of the 19th century,[8] the city was later named Geneva after the town of Geneva, New York,[9] which government surveyor John Brink thought it resembled. To avoid confusion with the nearby town of Geneva, Wisconsin, it was later renamed "Lake Geneva".

After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, a number of wealthy and prominent Chicago industrialists fled to the shores of Geneva Lake—then a popular summer camp destination—by train. Many of the families built palatial summer homes on the lake, which led it to be nicknamed the "Newport of the West." Lake Geneva remains a popular summer tourism destination for boating, water sports, and viewing the mansions, which can be seen from the public Geneva Lake Shore Path. Two historic Lake Geneva mansions are open to the public: the Baker House, built in 1885, now a bed-and-breakfast; and Black Point, the lakefront summer estate built for beer baron Conrad Seipp in 1888 in the nearby town of Linn, now a Wisconsin Historical Society museum. Other famous residents who built or have owned mansions on Geneva Lake include the Wrigleys, the Schwinns, Otto Young, and Richard Driehaus.[10]

In 1954, Lake Geneva was one of the three finalists for the location of the new United States Air Force Academy, but lost to Colorado Springs, Colorado.[11]

In 1968, Hugh Hefner built his first Playboy resort in Lake Geneva.[12] It closed in 1981 and was converted in 1982 to the Americana Resort, and in 1993 to the Grand Geneva Resort.[13][14]

Royal Recorders (formerly Shade Tree Studios) was a Lake Geneva music recording studio where artists such as Ministry, Cheap Trick, Queensrÿche, Crash Test Dummies, Nine Inch Nails, and Skid Row recorded albums.[15][16]

Lake Geneva was also home to TSR, Inc., the original publisher of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, until its takeover by Wizards of the Coast in 1997.

## Geography

[edit]

Lake Geneva is located at 42°35′33″N 88°26′4″W﻿ / ﻿42.59250°N 88.43444°W﻿ / 42.59250; -88.43444 (42.592380, -88.434424).[17] The city is on the northeast bay of Geneva Lake on relatively flat ground, with some steep hills and bluffs. The White River flows out of Geneva Lake for 19 miles into Burlington, Wisconsin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 6.55 square miles (16.96 km2), of which 6.54 square miles (16.94 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[18]

## Climate

[edit]

|  Lake Geneva

Climate chart (explanation)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

102

−12

−13

160

102

148

105

−11

█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [19]
| Imperial conversion

J| F| M| A| M| J| J| A| S| O| N| D

3.8

2.7

6.3

5.8

3.7

4.1

2.8

3.7

2.6

3.1

█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 1,097| | —
1870| 997| | −9.1%
1880| 1,969| | 97.5%
1890| 2,297| | 16.7%
1900| 2,585| | 12.5%
1910| 3,079| | 19.1%
1920| 2,632| | −14.5%
1930| 3,073| | 16.8%
1940| 3,238| | 5.4%
1950| 4,300| | 32.8%
1960| 4,929| | 14.6%
1970| 4,890| | −0.8%
1980| 5,612| | 14.8%
1990| 5,979| | 6.5%
2000| 7,148| | 19.6%
2010| 7,651| | 7.0%
2020| 8,277| | 8.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]

### 2010 census

[edit]

At the 2010 census there were 7,651 people, 3,323 households, and 1,879 families living in the city. The population density was 1,169.9 inhabitants per square mile (451.7/km2). There were 4,225 housing units at an average density of 646.0 units per square mile (249.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.6% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 8.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 17.3%.[4]

Of the 3,323 households, 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were non-families. 36.6% of households were one person and 15.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age was 39.8 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

### 2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census there were 7,148 people, 3,053 households, and 1,801 families living in the city. The population density was 1,425.1 people per square mile (550.2 people/km2). There were 3,757 housing units at an average density of 749.0 units per square mile (289.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.81% White, 0.90% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.16% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 14.75% of the population.[5] At the 2010 census there were 7,651 people for a population growth of 7.04% from the 2000 United States Census to the 2010 United States Census.

Of the 3,053 households 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% were non-families. 33.0% of households were one person and 12.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 23.0% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median household income was $40,924 and the median family income was $54,543. Males had a median income of $38,930 versus $25,671 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,536. About 4.7% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 Census

[edit]

At the 2020 census the population was 8,277.

## Media

[edit]

Lake Shore Drive near Fontana, 1932 postcard

Lake Geneva's main newspaper is the Lake Geneva Regional News, a Lee Enterprises-owned weekly newspaper that has served the Lake Geneva area since 1872. It is published every Thursday.

WLKG (96.1 FM) is a hot adult contemporary-formatted radio station licensed to Lake Geneva.

## Government

[edit]

The city of Lake Geneva operates under a mayor-council form of government. It has four aldermanic districts with two representatives per district. It is managed by a full-time city administrator. The city has an elected city attorney and an elected municipal judge.[21]

## Parks and Recreation

[edit]

Flatiron Park in Lake Geneva has the Lake Geneva Visitor Center inside its boundaries, while Seminary Park is the former site of the Lake Geneva Seminary.[22] There is also a public beach on the shore of Geneva Lake.

## Transportation

[edit]

Lake Geneva is served by U.S. Route 12, as well as two Wisconsin state highways; Wisconsin Highway 50 and Wisconsin Highway 120.

The Chicago & North Western Line to Williams Bay served Lake Geneva until 1975 when Service was cut back to Richmond, Illinois.

## Notable people

[edit]

* Margaret H. Bair \- U.S. Air National Guard general
* Robert H. Baker \- Wisconsin legislator, Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
* Hiram Barber, Jr. \- U.S. Representative from Illinois
* S. Carey \- musician, member of Bon Iver
* Bobby Cook \- NBA player
* Gary Gygax \- writer and game designer; co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons; co-founder of Lake Geneva-based company TSR, Inc.
* M. W. Kalaher \- Wisconsin legislator
* John Brayshaw Kaye \- poet and politician
* Mary L. Kirchoff \- author of Dragonlance novels
* Kerwin Mathews \- actor
* Ryan Mathews \- NASCAR driver
* Buddy Melges \- Olympic gold medalist, member of the America's Cup Hall of Fame
* John R. Powers \- author
* Ralph Townsend \- author
* William Trinke \- Wisconsin legislator
* Margaret Weis \- author of Dragonlance novels
* Edwin A. Williams \- Wisconsin legislator

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Municipal Data System". Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Intergovernmental Relations. 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
3. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
5. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
7. ^ Megan Padilla. "[1]". Orlando Magazine, March 27, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
8. ^ The Encyclopedia of Wisconsin, 1990, ISBN 0-403-09907-1
9. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 179.
10. ^ Lake Geneva Estates. "[2]". Lake Geneva Estates, Retrieved July 17, 2022.
11. ^ Steven A. Simon, "A Half-Century of History", Fifty Years of Excellence: Building Leaders of Character for the Nation, 2004.
12. ^ "Over 45 Years of Memories - A Bunny Tale".
13. ^ Rhonda Mix. "R&R at Grand Geneva". McHenry County Living, August 6, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
14. ^ David Young. "Playboy's Former Resort Gets Facelift". The Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1994. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
15. ^ "Shade Tree Resort Studio Discography". Discogs.
16. ^ "Royal Recorders Discography". Discogs.
17. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
18. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
19. ^ "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
20. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
21. ^ "City Government - Lake Geneva". cityoflakegeneva.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
22. ^ "Seminary Park". www.visitlakegeneva.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Fogle, Phil. Grassroots—Lake Geneva: An Illustrated History of the Geneva Lake Area (The Centennial Book). Williams Bay, Wis.: Big Foot Publishing Company, 1986.
* Simmons, James. Annals of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 1835-1897. Lake Geneva, Wis.: The Herald, 1897.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

* City of Lake Geneva
* Geneva Lake Museum of History
* Images of Lake Geneva : Historic photographs and postcards, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
* Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1892 1900 1912

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States

County seat: Elkhorn

Cities|

* Burlington‡
* Delavan
* Elkhorn
* Lake Geneva
* Whitewater‡

Villages|

* Bloomfield
* Darien
* East Troy
* Fontana-on-Geneva Lake
* Genoa City‡
* Mukwonago‡
* Sharon
* Walworth
* Williams Bay

Towns|

* Bloomfield
* Darien
* Delavan
* East Troy
* Geneva
* La Grange
* Lafayette
* Linn
* Lyons
* Richmond
* Sharon
* Spring Prairie
* Sugar Creek
* Troy
* Walworth
* Whitewater

CDPs|

* Allen's Grove
* Big Foot Prairie‡
* Como
* Delavan Lake
* Lake Ivanhoe
* Lake Lorraine
* Lauderdale Lakes
* Lyons
* Potter Lake
* Springfield
* Turtle Lake

Other
communities|

* Abells Corners
* Adams
* Bardwell
* Bowers
* East Delavan
* Fairfield‡
* Heart Prairie
* Hilburn
* Honey Creek‡
* Honey Lake‡
* Inlet
* La Grange
* Lake Beulah
* Lake Como
* Lake Lawn
* Lauderdale
* Linton
* Little Prairie
* Millard
* North Bloomfield
* Richmond
* Spring Prairie
* Tibbets
* Troy
* Troy Center
* Voree
* Zenda

Ghost towns|

* Army Lake
* Mayhews

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Wisconsin portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

| Elkhorn | Springfield | Lyons

|
|

|  |
Williams Bay |

Lake Geneva

|  |
Linn | Pell Lake | Powers Lake

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* IdRef

*[Pop.]: Population
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