Residence of Mrs. George Sturgis, Lake Geneva, Wis, 1880
Geneva’s story
187 years in pictures
The archive holds 11 old photos and papers going back to 1880 and 4 maps from 1893 on.
- 1839Geneva is settled
GenevaWI
Trash & recyclingPopulation
5,443
2025 Census estimate · +1.3% since 2020
Typical home
$482K
+4.5% in a year
Household income
$96K
median
Median age
48.3
years
Jobs based here
1,549
A commuter town
TownGrade
A−
#85 of 357 in WI
Is Geneva a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Geneva grades A− overall, ranked 85th of 357 in Wisconsin. Crime is low: it reports less per resident than 97% of U.S. towns. The median household earns $96K. What holds it back is price: the typical home is worth about $482K, 6 years of the Whitewater area’s $81K median household income. Geneva’s trail density is 1.0 miles per square mile, above both the Wisconsin town median (0.4) and the median of U.S. towns (0.4). Among 182 Wisconsin towns, just 8 have a lower property crime rate than Geneva.
What makes Geneva stand out
Where Geneva beats most towns.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Geneva0.5
Wisconsin2.4
U.S.3.3
SafetyA+
79% less violent crime than WI
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
Natural hazardsA
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
0historic places
History
Settled in 1839
A long history
A history going back 187 years.
A commuter town
95% of working residents leave Geneva for work
Where Geneva’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,549jobs based in Geneva
5%of working residents work in town
15 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Geneva grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Wisconsin), ordered by how far Geneva is from typical.
SafetyA+Open →Jobs & incomeAOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 17% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →Cost of livingC−Open →HealthAurora Lakeland Medical Center 2.6 miles awayB+Open →SchoolsB+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6.9 of 20; 2.1% of households have no car; 2.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1% conserved landB−Open →HistoryC+Open →Civic life4.6 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateSnowy winters, 82° summer afternoons, 40″ of snow–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 48.3–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Geneva: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Geneva, and how to reach them.
PowerWisconsin Power & Light18.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterGeneva National Community ServicesNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers96% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpFrom the town’s siteTrash and recycling rulesTown site
SchoolsLake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School DistrictLake Geneva Joint No. 1 School DistrictElkhorn Area School District3 districts serve Geneva; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Wisconsin you can register online until 20 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 20 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereTown of Geneva ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023
ZIP codes53147, 5312153147 93% · 53121 6%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Geneva.
Geneva is a second-home town and reports less crime than Linn or any other graded neighbor, but it has homes that cost more against local pay than most of Wisconsin.
OutdoorsB−
Conserved land covers 1.3% of Geneva
That puts Geneva close to Wisconsin’s towns (3.8%) and below U.S. towns (4.3%). 30 miles of trail in 2 parks and preserves.
#49for trails in WI
1.3%
conserved · 255 of 19,114 acres
30 mi
of trails · 1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hermansen Woods | 0.6 mi | 16 |
| 2. Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy | 0.1 mi | 5 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB+
On state tests, Geneva’s schools beat 66% of Wisconsin districts
Its public schools are run by the Geneva J4 School District. Its two schools are below.
66%of WI districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woods ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–8 | Grades PK–8 | 148 | A− |
| Lakeland SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades PK–12 | Grades PK–12 | – | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within WI on state tests and graduation
SafetyA+
For safety, Geneva earns an A+
Its A+ tops all 3 graded towns on its borders; Linn (A) comes closest. Violent crime is rare: 3 reported in 2025, 0.5 per 1,000 residents.
Geneva’s violent crime rate is 0.5 per 1,000 residents.
97%of U.S. towns report more crimeA+Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Geneva0.5
Wisconsin2.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Geneva1.6
Wisconsin10.3
U.S.15.5
97th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
99th
percentile among WI towns
3
violent crimes reported in 2025
9
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HousingCost of living grade C−
For cost of living, Geneva earns a C−
At 6 years of the Whitewater area’s $81K median household income, the typical home (about $482K) costs more against local pay than in 85% of Wisconsin towns; that ratio is one input to its C− for cost of living.
The median rent in Geneva is $1,575 a month. Typical home values rose 4.5% in the year to September 2026. 83% of Geneva households own their home.
$482KZillow home value
| Geneva | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,575 a month | $1,076 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 83% | 74% | 73% |
Typical home value
Geneva$482K
Wisconsin$337K
+4.5%
value change, 1 year
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A
Geneva faces a very low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 83% of U.S. communities. Since 2008, 5 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Geneva.
17risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
5
paid flood claims since 2008
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
Most of Geneva’s workers commute out: the town has 0.6 jobs for each of them
Most working residents leave Geneva for work: only 5% work in town. Since 2013, Geneva has added 295 jobs, to 1,549 in 2023. 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line in Geneva.
5%work in town
| Geneva | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 3.5% | 6.4% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $96,000 | $87,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 5.2% | 8.4% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Geneva5%
Lake Geneva15%
Elkhorn8%
Madison5%
Milwaukee4%
15 mi
median commute distance
1,549
jobs based in Geneva
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 51% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HealthB+
Geneva ranks healthier than 68% of the country’s towns
Geneva beats the Wisconsin average on 5 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0.
68%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| Geneva | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 15% | 17% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 32% | 36% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 21% | 24% | 23% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 20% | 16% |
32 measures vs. Wisconsin
5 better27 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Geneva | WI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 9.9% | 12.1% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 4.6% | 5.5% |
Aurora Lakeland Medical Center
2.6 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
57th
percentile among WI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Geneva has snowy winters and pleasant summers
The Lake Geneva Wwtp weather station records that 40 inches of snow fall in a normal winter: more than most of the country, but less than 78% of Wisconsin places with climate records. July afternoons average 82.4°: cooler than most of the country, but hotter than 87% of Wisconsin places with climate records; January nights average 12.8°.
Geneva has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers.
40″snow a winter
| Geneva | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 13°F | 11°F | 22°F |
| July high | 82°F | 82°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter16–31°
Spring36–57°
Summer59–80°
Fall40–60°
Oct 14
typical first frost
Apr 28
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
An age mix much like Wisconsin’s
31.7% of homes are seasonal or vacation homes, against 6.2% statewide, which helps explain the older median age.
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Wisconsin average. 40% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 33% across Wisconsin.
48.3median age · WI 40.2
| Geneva | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.3 years | 42.1 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 18% | 21% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 40% | 32% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 22% | 20% | 18% |
GenevaWisconsinUnited States
Ages · share of residents
19%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma5%
High school22%
Some college19%
Associate’s14%
Bachelor’s25%
Graduate16%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±3.2 points. Across Wisconsin, 49.9% of residents are women.
| Geneva | WI | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9.2% | 11.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.8% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.5% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 12.3% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 9.2% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11.7% | 11.8% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 19.1% | 13.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 14.7% | 11.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.5% | 7.3% | 7% |
| No diploma | 4.9% | 6.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 22.3% | 29.4% | 26% |
| Some college | 18.8% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 13.6% | 11.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 24.7% | 22% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 15.6% | 11.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Geneva
19pages on Geneva
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 66% of WI districts · 2 schoolsSafetyA+0.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB+Better than WI on 5 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC−$482K typical home · up 4.5% in a yearWork & commuteA$96K median household income · 1,549 jobs hereNatural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 17% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Geneva; the nearest are
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterUniversity or college · Public · Whitewater19.6 mi$8,616 in-state tuitionMcHenry County CollegeCommunity college · Public · Crystal Lake, IL26 mi$4,162 in-state tuition
About 6 of every 100 Geneva residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Wisconsin.
About Geneva
Town in Wisconsin, United States
Geneva is a town in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,390 at the 2020 census. The census-designated place of Como is located in the town. The unincorporated community of Lake Como is also located in the town.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 31 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,014 ft
- Area code
- 262
Geneva’s neighbors
6 towns share a border with Geneva.
It grades higher overall than all 5 graded towns on its borders; Elkhorn (A−) comes closest.
Lake GenevaElkhornWilliams BayLinnLafayetteLyonsGeneva
How the neighbors grade
| Town | WI rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | #85 | A− | C− | A+ | B+ | B+ |
| Lake Geneva | #231 | B− | D | B− | B+ | B |
| Elkhorn | #116 | A− | C+ | A− | B | B+ |
| Williams Bay | #187 | B+ | C+ | — | C+ | B+ |
| Linn | #163 | B+ | C− | A | B− | B |
| Lafayette | — | — | C | — | B | B+ |
| Lyons | #236 | B− | B− | — | B+ | B |
Lafayette has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Williams Bay, Lafayette and Lyons report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Geneva with a neighbor →
Questions about Geneva
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Geneva, WI a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Geneva grades A− overall, better than 85% of U.S. towns and #85 of 357 in Wisconsin. It grades B+ for health, A+ for safety and B+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Geneva, WI expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.