Lake Geneva, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
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| Motto(s):
"Where Memories are Born and Reborn"
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Location of Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Walworth |
| Incorporated (village) | January 27, 1844 |
| Incorporated (city) | March 30, 1883 |
| Area | |
| • 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 | 879 ft (268 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • 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
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| Area code(s) | 262 |
| FIPS code | 55-41450 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1581223 |
| Website | www.cityoflakegeneva.com |
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Lake Geneva is a city in Wisconsin, a state in the United States. It's in Walworth County, right on the beautiful Geneva Lake. In 2020, about 8,277 people lived there.
The city is a popular resort town because it's not too far from big cities like Chicago and Milwaukee. Many people visit Lake Geneva for vacations and fun. Since the late 1800s, rich families from Chicago have built huge houses along the lake. This is why Lake Geneva is sometimes called the "Newport of the West".
Contents
History of Lake Geneva
The area was first called "Muck-Suck" by the Potawatomi people. This name meant "Big Foot" and was for a local chief. Later, settlers named the town "Geneva" after a town in New York. That town was on Seneca Lake, which looked similar to the lake here.
To avoid confusion with another town called Geneva in Illinois, the city was renamed Lake Geneva. The lake next to it is called Geneva Lake.
Lake Geneva's Growth and Famous Visitors
When railroads came from Chicago, Lake Geneva became a popular summer spot. Wealthy families, like those who owned Morton Salt and Wrigley Chewing Gum, built large mansions. Some famous homes include Stone Manor and Black Point. This made the city known as "The Newport of the West."
Later, in the early days of cars, the first modern drive-in motel was built here. It was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. During Prohibition, some smaller towns around the lake became places where mobsters like Al Capone would hide out.
In 1954, Lake Geneva was almost chosen for the new United States Air Force Academy. But in the end, Colorado Springs, Colorado was picked instead.
Music Recording in Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva was also home to Royal Records, a music studio. Many famous bands recorded albums there. These included Ministry, Cheap Trick, Queensrÿche, Iron Maiden, and Nine Inch Nails.
Geography and Climate of Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is located at 42°35′33″N 88°26′4″W / 42.59250°N 88.43444°W. It sits on the northeast side of Geneva Lake. The land is mostly flat, but there are some steep hills and bluffs.
The city covers about 6.55 square miles (17.79 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.
Lake Geneva Weather
Lake Geneva has a typical Midwestern climate. It has warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
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Population of Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva has grown steadily over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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 | |||
In 2010, there were 7,651 people living in Lake Geneva. About 22.7% of the residents were under 18 years old. The average age was around 39.8 years.
Media and News in Lake Geneva
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The main newspaper for Lake Geneva is the Lake Geneva Regional News. It has been serving the area since 1872 and comes out every Thursday.
You can also listen to WLKG (96.1 FM), a local radio station that plays popular music.
Parks and Recreation in Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva has several nice parks. Flatiron Park is home to the Lake Geneva Visitor Center. Seminary Park is where the old Lake Geneva Seminary used to be. There is also a public beach right on the shore of Geneva Lake, perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Transportation in Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is connected by U.S. Route 12, which is a major highway. It also has two Wisconsin state highways, Wisconsin Highway 50 and Wisconsin Highway 120, making it easy to get around.
Notable People from Lake Geneva
Many interesting people have connections to Lake Geneva.
- S. Carey - a musician who is part of the band Bon Iver
- Bobby Cook - a player in the NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Gary Gygax - a writer and game designer who helped create Dungeons & Dragons
- Kerwin Mathews - an actor
- Ryan Mathews - a NASCAR race car driver
- Buddy Melges - an Olympic gold medalist and famous sailor
- Margaret Weis - an author known for her Dragonlance fantasy novels
See also
In Spanish: Lake Geneva (Wisconsin) para niños
