Geneva, New York
Encyclopedia
Geneva is a city in Ontario
and Seneca
counties in the U.S. state
of New York
. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva
in Switzerland
. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive. Ironically, though its own origin is unclear, the New York city is known to be the namesake of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
.
Geneva's Ontario County portion (which is most of the city) is surrounded by the town of Geneva
. The city says it is the "Lake Trout Capital of the World."
village of Kanadasaga. It became a strongpoint after being fortified by the British against the French and later against the Americans. The village was abandoned following its destruction by the punitive Sullivan Expedition
of 1779, but resettled by Europeans around 1793 as a town developed by the Pulteney Association
. The "Village of Geneva" was incorporated in 1806, 1812, and 1871, formally separating it from the surrounding area of Geneva Town. Later the village became a city. Col. Seth Reed and his family settled in Geneva around 1790 before moving to Erie, Pennsylvania.
region, the largest wine-producing area in New York State. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.2 km²). 4.3 square miles (11.0 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (27.18%) is water.
Geneva on east-west US Route 20 conjoined with New York State Route 5
. New York State Route 14
is a north-south highway through the city. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal
linked the area to the Erie Canal
, completed in 1825. It is fairly equidistant from Rochester, New York
and Syracuse, New York
, each being about 45 miles away.
operates the local public primary and secondary schools. The district has two elementary schools, North Street School (3rd-5th) and West Street School (K-2). The district's secondary schools are Geneva Middle School and Geneva High School
.
of 2000, there were 13,617 people, 5,014 households, and 2,933 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,199.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,234.2/km²). There were 5,564 housing units at an average density of 1,307.4 per square mile (504.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.52% White, 10.22% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.39% from other races
, and 3.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.50% of the population.
There were 5,014 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 18.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,600, and the median income for a family was $41,224. Males had a median income of $31,315 versus $23,054 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,609. About 13.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
. The area is becoming increasingly popular for agritourism
: there are over 100 wineries in the Finger Lakes Region, and the Seneca Lake wine trail provides easy access to many of these from Geneva. As Geneva grows as a tourist destination so do the number of rooms available.
Ontario County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 100,224 people, 38,370 households, and 26,360 families residing in the county. The population density was 156 people per square mile . There were 42,647 housing units at an average density of 66 per square mile...
and Seneca
Seneca County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,342 people, 12,630 households, and 8,626 families residing in the county. The population density was 103 people per square mile . There were 14,794 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive. Ironically, though its own origin is unclear, the New York city is known to be the namesake of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.-History:...
.
Geneva's Ontario County portion (which is most of the city) is surrounded by the town of Geneva
Geneva (town), New York
Geneva is a town in Ontario County, New York, USA. The population was 3,289 at the 2000 census. The actual source of the name is ambiguous.The Town of Geneva is in the southeastern part of the county and borders the City of Geneva.- History :...
. The city says it is the "Lake Trout Capital of the World."
History
The site was originally the Seneca Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
village of Kanadasaga. It became a strongpoint after being fortified by the British against the French and later against the Americans. The village was abandoned following its destruction by the punitive Sullivan Expedition
Sullivan Expedition
The Sullivan Expedition, also known as the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition, was an American campaign led by Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier General James Clinton against Loyalists and the four nations of the Iroquois who had sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War.The...
of 1779, but resettled by Europeans around 1793 as a town developed by the Pulteney Association
The Pulteney Association
The Pulteney Association was a purchaser in 1792 of a large portion of the Western New York land tract known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The Pulteney Associates were British investors: nine-twelfths was owned by Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet , a Scottish lawyer; two-twelfths by William...
. The "Village of Geneva" was incorporated in 1806, 1812, and 1871, formally separating it from the surrounding area of Geneva Town. Later the village became a city. Col. Seth Reed and his family settled in Geneva around 1790 before moving to Erie, Pennsylvania.
Geography
Geneva lies at the northern end of the Seneca Lake, in the Finger LakesFinger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a pattern of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York in the United States. They are a popular tourist destination. The lakes are long and thin , each oriented roughly on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in...
region, the largest wine-producing area in New York State. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.2 km²). 4.3 square miles (11.0 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (27.18%) is water.
Geneva on east-west US Route 20 conjoined with New York State Route 5
New York State Route 5
New York State Route 5 is a state highway that extends for across the state of New York in the United States. It begins at the Pennsylvania state line in the Chautauqua County town of Ripley and passes through Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, and several other smaller cities and...
. New York State Route 14
New York State Route 14
New York State Route 14 is a state highway located in western New York in the United States. Along with NY 19, it is one of two routes to transect the state in a north–south fashion between the Pennsylvania border and Lake Ontario...
is a north-south highway through the city. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal
Cayuga-Seneca Canal
The Cayuga–Seneca Canal is a canal in New York, USA. It is now part of the New York State Canal System.The Cayuga–Seneca Canal connects the Erie Canal to Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake. It is approximately long.-History:...
linked the area to the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
, completed in 1825. It is fairly equidistant from Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
and Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, each being about 45 miles away.
Government
Geneva uses a mayor-council form of government. The mayor is elected at large. The council consists of eight members. Six are elected from one of six wards. The other two are elected at large.Private schools
- Children's Hours School is a private school for toddlers through first grade. Its enrollment is about 27 students. The current director is Mary Bohle.
- St. Francis-St. Stephen's SchoolSt. Francis-St. Stephen's SchoolSt. Francis-St.Stephen's School is a Catholic elementary school located in Geneva, New York. It teaches grades Kindergarten through 8, is part of the Diocese of Rochester, and serves as a feeder school to DeSales High School.- Mission statement :...
is a Roman Catholic elementary school that teaches grades PreK-8 in Geneva. The current principal is Elaine Morrow.
- DeSales High School is a Roman Catholic high school that teaches Grades 9-12 in Geneva. The current principal is Gerald Macaluso.
Public schools
The Geneva City School DistrictGeneva City School District
Geneva City School District is a school district in Geneva, New York, United States. The superintendent is Dr. Robert Young.The district operates four schools: Geneva High School, Geneva Middle School, West Street School, and North Street School....
operates the local public primary and secondary schools. The district has two elementary schools, North Street School (3rd-5th) and West Street School (K-2). The district's secondary schools are Geneva Middle School and Geneva High School
Geneva High School (New York)
Geneva High School is a public secondary school located in Geneva, New York. The school serves grades 9-12 and is a part of the Geneva City School District. The current principal is Mr. Gregory T. Baker, and the current assistant principal is Mr. Robert E. Smith.-History:Relatively little is known...
.
Colleges and universities
- Hobart and William Smith CollegesHobart and William Smith CollegesHobart and William Smith Colleges, located in Geneva, New York, are together a liberal arts college offering Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. In athletics, however, the two schools compete with separate teams, known as the Hobart Statesmen and the...
, the successor institution to Geneva College. - The New York State Agricultural Experiment StationNew York State Agricultural Experiment StationThe New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, Ontario County, New York State, is an integral part of the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. It is a mission-oriented experiment station with a strong emphasis on applied research...
of Cornell UniversityCornell UniversityCornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
's College of Agriculture and Life SciencesCornell University College of Agriculture and Life SciencesThe New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a statutory college at Cornell University, a private university located in Ithaca, New York...
. - Finger Lakes Community CollegeFinger Lakes Community CollegeFinger Lakes Community College, often abbreviated FLCC, is a college affiliated with the State University of New York. The college has four locations: Canandaigua , and campus centers in Victor, Geneva, and Newark, all in order to serve the needs of Ontario County, Wayne County, Yates County and...
has a campus in Geneva.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,617 people, 5,014 households, and 2,933 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,199.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,234.2/km²). There were 5,564 housing units at an average density of 1,307.4 per square mile (504.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.52% White, 10.22% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.39% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.50% of the population.
There were 5,014 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 18.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,600, and the median income for a family was $41,224. Males had a median income of $31,315 versus $23,054 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,609. About 13.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
Tourism
One of the major industries in and around Geneva is winemakingWinemaking
Winemaking, or vinification, is the production of wine, starting with selection of the grapes or other produce and ending with bottling the finished wine. Although most wine is made from grapes, it may also be made from other fruit or non-toxic plant material...
. The area is becoming increasingly popular for agritourism
Agritourism
Agritourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy...
: there are over 100 wineries in the Finger Lakes Region, and the Seneca Lake wine trail provides easy access to many of these from Geneva. As Geneva grows as a tourist destination so do the number of rooms available.
Notable natives and residents
- Riley FitzGerald, was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, FitzGerald became a successful lawyer and politician. He was elected twice to the New York State Assembly and was appointed New York State Attorney General.
- Travie McCoyTravie McCoyTravie Lazarus McCoy is an American singer and rapper. He is the lead vocalist of the alternative hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes. He released his debut solo album Lazarus on June 8, 2010....
, frontman of the alternative hip-hop group Gym Class HeroesGym Class HeroesGym Class Heroes is an American hip hop rock band from Geneva, New York. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "Cupid's Chokehold." Stump also produced the majority of their album The Quilt.The group formed...
. - Debito Arudou/Dave Aldwinckle, English teacher, author and activist in Japan.
- Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to become qualified as a medical doctor in the United States, studied here, graduating from the medical school at what was then Geneva College in 1849.
- Cynthia DeFeliceCynthia DeFeliceCynthia DeFelice is an American children's book author. She has written 16 novels, and 12 picture books for young readers. Her intended audience for her novels is children at the reading level of ages nine to twelve....
, children's book author - Marshall P. WilderMarshall P. WilderMarshall P. Wilder was a famous actor, monologist, humorist and sketch artist who was one of the first persons with a disability to become a celebrity on his own terms.-Early life:...
Humorist - Arthur DoveArthur DoveArthur Garfield Dove was an American artist. An early American modernist, he is often considered the first American abstract painter.-Youth and education:...
, artist - Charles J. FolgerCharles J. FolgerCharles James Folger was an American lawyer and politician. He was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1881 until his death.-Early life:...
, lawyer, jurist and statesman. - Gym Class HeroesGym Class HeroesGym Class Heroes is an American hip hop rock band from Geneva, New York. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "Cupid's Chokehold." Stump also produced the majority of their album The Quilt.The group formed...
music group - Michael HashimMichael HashimMichael James Hashim is an American jazz alto saxophonist.Hashim began playing saxophone while in elementary school, playing with Phil Flanigan and Chris Flory as a high schooler. He worked with both into the middle 1970s, and in 1976 he toured with Muddy Waters and played with the Widespread...
, jazz musician - Thomas HillhouseThomas Hillhouse (adjutant general)Thomas Hillhouse was an American farmer, banker and politician.-Life:...
, farmer, banker and statesman - Lauren HollyLauren HollyLauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
, actress - Samuel B. Howd - Inventor (Water Turbine)
- David HudsonDavid Hudson (New York)David Hudson was an American lawyer, writer and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Asa Hudson and Mary Hudson...
, lawyer, writer and statesman. - Michael Muhammad KnightMichael Muhammad KnightMichael Muhammad Knight is an American Muslim novelist, journalist, and performance artist. His writings are popular among American Muslim youth...
, author - Christine LavinChristine LavinChristine Lavin is a New York City-based singer-songwriter and promoter of contemporary folk music. She has recorded numerous solo albums, and has also recorded with other female folk artists under the name Four Bitchin' Babes...
, folk singer - Seth Reed, Lt. Colonel who fought at Bunker HillBunker HillBunker Hill may refer to:* A hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts** Battle of Bunker Hill, a battle American Revolutionary War fought near the hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts** Several American ships named after the Battle of Bunker Hill, including:...
, early settler of Geneva, (1790–1795), was instrumental in adding E Pluribus UnumE pluribus unumE pluribus unum , Latin for "Out of many, one", is a phrase on the Seal of the United States, along with Annuit cœptis and Novus ordo seclorum, and adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782...
to US coins, and founded Erie, PA in 1795 - Eliakim SherrillEliakim SherrillEliakim Sherrill was an antebellum United States Congressman from the state of New York and a brigade commander in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg defending against Pickett's Charge.-Early life:Sherrill was born in Greenville,...
, Politician, brigade commander in the Union Army during the American Civil War. - William W. WrightWilliam W. WrightWilliam Westwood Wright was an American politician from New York.-Life:He married Mary L...
, politician - Rocky Fratto - A stand out amateur boxer.Former NABF jr middleweight champion & world title challenger. Had a brief but successful career as a boxing promoter; Promoting George Foreman's comeback, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, Charles Murray, and Irish Micky Ward early on in their careers. Later trained Robert "Push up" Frazier to challenge for a World title.