Geneva had its start in 1871 when the rival towns of Alexander and Buffalo merged. It was named after Geneva, in Switzerland. The first post office in Geneva was established in 1872.
Geography
Geneva is located at . According to the 2010 census, Geneva has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,293 people, 570 households, and 349 families living in the town. The population density was. There were 627 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the town was 94.6% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 3.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population. There were 570 households, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couplesliving together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.8% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age in the town was 41.1 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,368 people, 584 households, and 369 families living in the town. The population density was 1,192.1 people per square mile. There were 621 housing units at an average density of 541.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 98.25% White, 0.37% African American, 0.22% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population. There were 584 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $33,942, and the median income for a family was $41,645. Males had a median income of $31,895 versus $21,552 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,435. About 9.5% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.
Gene Stratton Porter, best-selling author, nature photographer, naturalist, and silent movie-era producer, lived in Geneva from 1888 until 1913.
Charles Dorwin Porter, Stratton-Porter’s husband and a successful druggist and local businessman, was among the group of investors who organized the Bank of Geneva in 1895.
