Geneva, Illinois

Last updated

Geneva, Illinois
City
Geneva Illinois City Hall.jpg
Geneva City Hall as viewed from Illinois Route 31
Flag of Geneva, Illinois.png
Flag
Seal of Geneva, Illinois.png
Seal
Kane County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Geneva Highlighted.svg
Location of Geneva in Kane County, Illinois
Coordinates: 41°53′00″N88°19′27″W / 41.88333°N 88.32417°W / 41.88333; -88.32417 [1]
Country United States
State Illinois
County Kane
Township Blackberry, Geneva, St. Charles
Founded1835
Incorporated as a village1867 [2]
Incorporated as a city1887
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • MayorKevin Burns [3]
Area
[4]
 • Total
10.20 sq mi (26.43 km2)
 • Land9.97 sq mi (25.81 km2)
 • Water0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2)
Elevation
[1]
738 ft (225 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
21,393
 • Density2,146.7/sq mi (828.84/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
60134
Area codes 630 and 331
FIPS code 17-28872
GNIS feature ID2394875 [1]
Website geneva.il.us

Geneva is a city in and the county seat of Kane County, Illinois, United States. [5] It is located in the far western side of the Chicago suburbs. Per the 2020 census, the population was 21,393. [6]

Contents

Geneva is part of a tri-city area, located between St. Charles and Batavia. [7] [8] The area experienced rapid population growth from the late 1980s through the mid-2000s as the Chicago suburbs spread to the west.

Geneva is located along the Fox River. Portions of the Fox River Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path pass through Geneva. The Fabyan Windmill, a Dutch windmill dating from the 1850s, is located here.

History

Two Native American trails crossed through Geneva. The Potawatomi people lived in the Geneva area, with their main chief, Waubonsee, leading a group that gathered just north of Aurora. [9]

Geneva was first settled in the 1830s on an important route from Chicago. Daniel Shaw Haight was the first European settler in Geneva. Haight sold his claim in 1835 to James and Charity Herrington, who were influential in the creation of the town of Geneva. [10] A local's connections with Col. Richard Hamilton, a prominent Cook County politician, led to the naming of Geneva as county seat in 1836. The town was platted a year later and was probably named after Geneva, New York. [11] Before the name Geneva was chosen, the names LaFox, Big Spring, and Herrington's Ford were used. [12] A courthouse and jail were among the first major works. Geneva was incorporated as a village in 1867. While its site as a county seat attracted attention, the village's location on the Fox River provided the most economic opportunities. Early goods manufactured in Geneva included cheese, butter, milled grains, and packed meat. The railroad connection in 1853 provided increased industry demand; by 1900, Appleton Manufacturing, Howell Foundry, Bennet Milling Co., and Pope Glucose Co. became major employers. This resulted in major civic improvement projects such as pumping stations and water mains in 1896. Geneva was particularly noted for its flux of Swedish immigrants, who comprised half the population by 1900. Geneva was connected to other Fox Valley communities a year later through the Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Company.

Geography

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Geneva has a total area of 10.20 square miles (26.42 km2), of which 9.97 square miles (25.82 km2) (or 97.67%) is land and 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2) (or 2.33%) is water. [13]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 997—
1880 1,239—
1890 1,69236.6%
1900 2,44644.6%
1910 3,00622.9%
1920 3,32710.7%
1930 4,60738.5%
1940 4,101−11.0%
1950 5,13925.3%
1960 7,64648.8%
1970 9,04918.3%
1980 9,8819.2%
1990 12,61727.7%
2000 19,51554.7%
2010 21,49510.1%
2020 21,393−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]
Kane County Courthouse Kane Co Courthouse.JPG
Kane County Courthouse
Kane County Government Center KaneCounty-Gov-Center.jpg
Kane County Government Center

2020 census

As of the 2020 census [15] there were 21,393 people, 7,925 households, and 5,942 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,096.53 inhabitants per square mile (809.47/km2). There were 8,533 housing units at an average density of 836.24 per square mile (322.87/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.56% White, 0.66% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.98% from other races, and 7.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.30% of the population.

There were 7,925 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.77% were married couples living together, 11.48% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.02% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 2.74.

The city's age distribution consisted of 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $116,083, and the median income for a family was $136,083. Males had a median income of $76,533 versus $43,667 for females. The per capita income for the city was $52,697. About 3.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Geneva city, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2010 [16] Pop 2020 [17] % 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)19,65118,39291.42%85.97%
Black or African American alone (NH)1031280.48%0.60%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)3100.01%0.05%
Asian alone (NH)4614852.14%2.27%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)330.01%0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH)18550.08%0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)2137580.99%3.54%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1,0431,5624.85%7.30%
Total21,49521,393100.00%100.00%

Arts and culture

Historical sites

Fabyan Windmill Fabyan Windmill-13.JPG
Fabyan Windmill
Riverbank Laboratories Riverbank Laboratories (Geneva, IL) 03.JPG
Riverbank Laboratories

Fabyan Windmill is an authentic, working Dutch windmill dating from the 1850s. [18] The five-story wooden smock mill with a stage, which stands 68 feet (21 m) tall, sits upon the onetime estate of Colonel George Fabyan, but is now part of the Kane County Forest Preserve District. The windmill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). [19]

Riverbank Laboratories is an acoustical testing agency founded by Wallace Clement Sabine in 1918. The acoustical laboratory building was funded and built by Colonel George Fabyan at his Fabyan Villa in Geneva. The facility housed a cryptology team that deciphered codes from the works of Sir Francis Bacon, Shakespeare, and enemy military communications. [20] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 2003. The Fabyan Villa Museum houses photographs, the Fabyans' personal artifact collections, and original furnishings. [21]

Sacred Heart Seminary Shrine is a stone and mosaic religious Chapel in Geneva. It is located near Sacred Heart Monastery. The shrine was established in 1925 when a piece of the land along the river was sold to the Society of Jesus. [22]

Elizabeth Place, or the Henry Bond Fargo House, is a historic residence in Geneva, in the Mission Revival style. The house was owned by Henry Bond Fargo, a local businessman who brought several early industries to Geneva. It is listed on the NRHP.

Sports

Geneva has been home to the Kane County Cougars since 1991 when the Wausau Timbers relocated from Wausau, Wisconsin. [23] The Cougars currently play at Northwestern Medicine Field. Originally members of the Midwest League, Major League Baseball removed their affiliation status during the nationwide minor league reorganization. The Cougars joined the American Association of Professional Baseball. [24] In 2015 the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League moved to Geneva from Bensenville, Illinois and played at Fox Valley Ice Arena. In 2023, the Steel franchise was purchased by the Wirtz Corporation, the owners of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Education

Geneva School District 304 includes the following schools:

Elementary education schools

Middle schools

High schools

Media

Movies filmed in Geneva include:

Infrastructure

Transportation

Geneva Metra Station Geneva Metra 071020.jpg
Geneva Metra Station

Highways include State Routes 25, 31, and 38.

Geneva is served by the Pace bus system.

Geneva Station is on the Union Pacific West Line of the Metra commuter rail system; it provides service to downtown Chicago.

Notable people

Academia and science

Arts

Business

Media

Politics

Sports

References

  1. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Geneva, Illinois
  2. ↑ "Geneva, IL - Official Website - History of Geneva". Geneva.il.us. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Aldermen".
  4. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Geneva city, Illinois". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Geneva". Archived from the original on June 5, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  8. ↑ "60134 Zip Code in Geneva, IL - Neighborhoods, Schools, Real Estate, Demographics and Relocation Tools" . Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  9. ↑ "History of Geneva".
  10. ↑ "story of Geneva, Illinois : 2001". Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  11. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 136.
  12. ↑ "Several Towns Named After Founders and Heroes". The Daily Herald. December 28, 1999. p. 220. Retrieved August 17, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  13. ↑ US Census Bureau. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  16. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Geneva city, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  17. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Geneva city, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  18. ↑ Location taken from National Register of Historic Places: NRIS 79000843 (June 4, 1979).
  19. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Riverbank History from Geneva Historical Society". Archived from the original on July 27, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Fabyan Villa & Japanese Gardens". St. Charles, IL: Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.
  22. ↑ Museum, Geneva History (July 14, 2017). "Picturing the Past With ... the Geneva History Museum". Shaw Local News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Register Team Encyclopedia - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  24. ↑ "Cougars to join Major League Baseball Partner League, the American Association, for 2021 season". milb.com.
  25. ↑ "Harrison Street Elementary School". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Williamsburg Elementary School". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Heartland Elementary School". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Mill Creek Elementary School". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Fabyan Elementary School". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Western Avenue Elementary School". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Geneva Middle School South". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Geneva Middle School South Website". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  33. 1 2 3 "Blog • Geneva, IL • CivicEngage".
  34. ↑ Schory, Brenda (September 24, 2014). "Pop star Niykee Heaton stops in hometown Geneva". Shaw Local News Network. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Joan Taylor - 20 Million Miles of Memories". Riflemanconnors.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Joan Taylor - The Private Life and Times of Joan Taylor. Joan Taylor Pictures". Glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Been There, Seen That: George Fabyan, Eccentric". Dees2.blogspot.com. June 19, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  38. ↑ Grant, H. Roger (2008). Visionary Railroader: Jervis Langdon Jr. and the Transportation Revolution. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 119. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Dale Shewalter obituary". Arizona Daily Sun . January 14, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Full Biography". Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  41. ↑ Miller, David R., ed. (November 15, 2014). "Biographies of New House Members" (PDF). First Reading. Illinois Legislative Research Unit. p. 2. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  42. ↑ "EX-SENATOR FAIR IS DEAD; His Fatal Illness of But Very Brief Duration. AN ESTATE OF FORTY MILLIONS One of the Earliest Victims of the Gold Fever, He Turned His Attention to Silver and Made a Fortune.", The New York Times , New York, New York, December 30, 1894, He came to this country with his parents in 1843, and lived for a time at Geneva, Ill., where he obtained a rudimentary education...
  43. ↑ "S. Louis Rathje - Previous Illinois Supreme Court Justice". www.illinoiscourts.gov.
  44. ↑ Barlow, Sarah E., ed. (November 15, 2018). "Biographies of New House Members" (PDF). First Reading. Illinois Legislative Research Unit. p. 7. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  45. ↑ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (February 25, 2022). "Wayne Wallingford redefines risk in his service to Missouri". The Missouri Times. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Sid Bennett NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. December 30, 1971. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  47. ↑ Wassner Flynn, Sarah (August 3, 2016). "Meet Ben Kanute". United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Geneva Native Kevin McDowell Places 6th in Men's Triathlon – A Record for an American Man". NBC Chicago. July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Gabrielle Perea". USA Gymnastics . Retrieved February 5, 2018.
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