Editing Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

{{About|the city|the lake|Geneva Lake}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name                   = Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
| settlement_type                 = [[City]]
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = "Where Memories are Born and Reborn"

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline                   = {{multiple image
  | total_width              = 300
  | border                   = infobox
  | perrow                   = 1/2
  | caption_align            = center
  | image1                   = Gfp-wisconsin-lake-geneva-across-the-lake.jpg
  | caption1                 = [[Geneva Lake]]
  | image2                   = The Riviera in Downtown Lake Geneva, WI - panoramio.jpg
  | caption2                 = [[The Riviera (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)|The Riviera]]
  | image3                   = Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA - panoramio (2).jpg
  | caption3                 = [[Main Street Historic District (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)|Main Street]]
  }}
| image_flag                      = 
| image_seal                      =

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                       = File:Walworth County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lake Geneva Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 250px
| map_caption                     = Location of Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin.
| pushpin_map                     = Wisconsin#USA
| pushpin_label                   = Lake Geneva
| pushpin_label_position          = top
| pushpin_relief                  = yes

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = {{flag|Wisconsin}}
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Todd Krause
| leader_title1                   = Administrator
| leader_name1                    = David Nord
| leader_title2                   = City Council
| leader_name2                    = [[#Government|Current Council Members]]
| established_title               = Incorporated (village)
| established_date                = January 27, 1844
| established_title1               = Incorporated (city)
| established_date1                = March 30, 1883<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mds.wi.gov/View/MunicipalRecords|accessdate=2024-11-07|title=Municipal Data System|publisher=Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Intergovernmental Relations|date=2024}}</ref>

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 17.79
| area_land_km2                   = 17.76
| area_water_km2                  = 0.02
| area_total_sq_mi                = 6.87
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 6.86
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.01

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
| population_total                = 8277
| population_density_km2          = 456.28
| population_density_sq_mi        = 1181.83

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                        = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset                      = -6
| timezone_DST                    = CDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = -5
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| elevation_m                     = 268
| elevation_ft                    = 879
| coordinates                     = {{coord|42|35|33|N|88|26|4|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code                     = 53147
| area_code                       = [[Area code 262|262]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 55-41450<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 1581223<ref name="GR3" />
| website                         = [http://www.cityoflakegeneva.com/ www.cityoflakegeneva.com]
| footnotes                       = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
}}

'''Lake Geneva''' is a city in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. Located in [[Walworth County, Wisconsin|Walworth County]] and situated on [[Geneva Lake]], it was home to 8,277 people as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 7,651 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. It is located {{convert|40|mi}} southwest of [[Milwaukee]] and {{convert|65|mi}} northwest of [[Chicago]].

Given its relative proximity to the [[Chicago metropolitan area|Chicago]] and [[Milwaukee metropolitan area]]s, 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, Rhode Island|Newport]] of the [[Midwestern United States|West]]."<ref>Megan Padilla. "[https://www.orlandomagazine.com/newport-of-the-west-lake-geneva-wisconsin/]". ''Orlando Magazine'', March 27, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref>

==History==
Originally called [[Big Foot (Potawatomi leader)|"Maunk-suck" (''Big Foot'')"]] after the man who led the local band of the [[Potawatomi]] in the first half of the 19th century,<ref>''The Encyclopedia of Wisconsin'', 1990, {{Listed Invalid ISBN|0-403-09907-1}}</ref> the city was later named Geneva after the town of [[Geneva, New York]],<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA179 | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office|Government Printing Office]] | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=179}}</ref> 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, Rhode Island|Newport]] of the [[Midwestern United States|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 (Linn, Wisconsin)|Black Point]], the lakefront summer estate built for beer baron [[Conrad Seipp Brewing Company|Conrad Seipp]] in 1888 in the nearby town of [[Linn, Wisconsin|Linn]], now a [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] museum. Other famous residents who built or have owned mansions on Geneva Lake include the [[Wrigley family|Wrigleys]], the [[Schwinn Bicycle Company|Schwinns]], [[Otto Young]], and [[Richard Driehaus]].<ref>Lake Geneva Estates. "[https://lakegenevaestates.com]". ''Lake Geneva Estates'', Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref>

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]].<ref name="Simon">Steven A. Simon, "A Half-Century of History", ''Fifty Years of Excellence: Building Leaders of Character for the Nation,'' 2004.</ref>

In 1968, [[Hugh Hefner]] built his first [[Playboy]] resort in Lake Geneva.<ref>{{cite web|title=Over 45 Years of Memories - A Bunny Tale|url=http://www.grandgeneva.com/lake-geneva-resort/grand-history.asp}}</ref> It closed in 1981 and was converted in 1982 to the Americana Resort, and in 1993 to the Grand Geneva Resort.<ref>Rhonda Mix. "[http://mchenrycountyliving.com/grand-geneva-playboy-club/ R&R at Grand Geneva]". ''McHenry County Living'', August 6, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.</ref><ref>David Young. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/03/14/playboys-former-resort-gets-facelift/ Playboy's Former Resort Gets Facelift]". ''The Chicago Tribune'', March 14, 1994. Retrieved August 3, 2015.</ref>

Royal Recorders (formerly Shade Tree Studios) was a Lake Geneva music recording studio where artists such as [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], [[Cheap Trick]], [[Queensrÿche]], [[Crash Test Dummies]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], and [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] recorded albums.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/label/325844-Shade-Tree-Resort-Studio?sort=artist&sort_order=asc | title=Shade Tree Resort Studio Discography | website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/label/291719-Royal-Recorders | title=Royal Recorders Discography | website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref>

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==
Lake Geneva is located at {{coord|42|35|33|N|88|26|4|W|type:city}} (42.592380, -88.434424).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The city is on the northeast bay of [[Geneva Lake]] on relatively flat ground, with some steep hills and bluffs. The [[White River (Wisconsin)|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 {{convert|6.55|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.54|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}</ref>

==Climate==
{|
|-
|{{climate chart
|  Lake Geneva
| -12| -8| 102
| -13| -4| 96
| -6| 6| 69
| 2| 18| 160
| 8| 21| 102
| 14| 25| 148
| 16| 25| 95
| 15| 25| 105
| 12| 23| 70
| 5| 16| 95
| -1| 6| 66
| -11| -4| 79
|float=left
|clear=left
|source = <ref name = "nasa">{{Cite web |url= http://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|title= NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index|access-date = 30 January 2016 |publisher= NASA}}</ref>
}}
|}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1097
|1870= 997
|1880= 1969
|1890= 2297
|1900= 2585
|1910= 3079
|1920= 2632
|1930= 3073
|1940= 3238
|1950= 4300
|1960= 4929
|1970= 4890
|1980= 5612
|1990= 5979
|2000= 7148
|2010= 7651
|2020= 8277
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 7,651 people, 3,323 households, and 1,879 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1169.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,225 housing units at an average density of {{convert|646.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|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%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref>

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===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 7,148 people, 3,053 households, and 1,801 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,425.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 3,757 housing units at an average density of {{convert|749.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|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.<ref name="GR2" />  At the [[2010 United States Census|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===
At the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]] the population was 8,277.

==Media==
[[File:Untitled - Street Views (NBY 10288).jpg|thumb|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==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflakegeneva.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={1D741132-A522-45C9-8D08-FDEDAA44DFF0}|title=City Government - Lake Geneva|work=cityoflakegeneva.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}</ref>

==Parks and Recreation==
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seminary Park |url=https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/listing/seminary-park/1649/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=www.visitlakegeneva.com |language=en-us}}</ref> There is also a public beach on the shore of [[Geneva Lake]].

==Transportation==
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==
{{div col}}
*[[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 (basketball)|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 (racer)|Ryan Mathews]] - [[NASCAR]] driver
*[[Buddy Melges]] - [[Olympic Games|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
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* 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. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=nUlEAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22lake%20geneva%22%20wisconsin&pg=PP7 Annals of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 1835-1897]''. Lake Geneva, Wis.: The Herald, 1897.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Lake Geneva (Wisconsin)|Lake Geneva, Wisconsin}}
* [http://www.cityoflakegeneva.com/ City of Lake Geneva]
* [http://www.genevalakemuseum.org/ Geneva Lake Museum of History]
* [http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.LakeGenImg Images of Lake Geneva] : Historic photographs and postcards, at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]
* Sanborn fire insurance maps:  [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6624 1892] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6640 1900] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/6652 1912]

{{Walworth County, Wisconsin}}
{{Geographic location
|Center=Lake Geneva
|West=[[Williams Bay]]
|Southwest=[[Linn, Wisconsin|Linn]]
|South=[[Pell Lake]]
|North=[[Springfield, Walworth County, Wisconsin|Springfield]]
|Northeast=[[Lyons, Wisconsin|Lyons]]
|Northwest=[[Elkhorn, Wisconsin|Elkhorn]]
|East=[[Slades Corners, Wisconsin|Slades Corners]]
|Southeast=[[Powers Lake, Wisconsin|Powers Lake]]}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lake Geneva, Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Walworth County, Wisconsin]]