Genoa City offers slower-paced village life on the state line
Genoa City is a small village along the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. The community is nicknamed the Gateway to Wisconsin, as its major highway connects the two states. Residents also have quick access to parks, schools and the local library, a growing community hub. “We’ve gotten to the point that when people from the community come in, we know them by name,” says Rachel Strehlow, village resident and director of the Genoa City Public Library. “And, in general, people get to know their neighbors.” Locals enjoy connecting at annual events in Veterans Park or during baseball games for the village’s competitive organization.
Neighborhoods have suburban layouts and environmental considerations
Along wide residential streets, single-family homes feature mid-size to large grass lawns. Mature trees shade roofs and sidewalks, and basketball hoops overlook driveways. Ranch-style, new traditional and colonial-inspired homes are the most common offerings, although many properties add custom flairs to their base designs. Prices typically range between $220,000 and $550,000.
Walworth County Health and Human Services states that in 2024, more than half of Wisconsin homes had higher levels of radon than the Environmental Protection Agency deemed safe. Additionally, Walworth County has higher radon levels than most of Wisconsin, and Genoa City is a particular hotspot. The WCHHS and the Kenosha/Walworth County Radon Information Center provide the community with low-cost test kits and mitigation resources to identify and address radon exposure.
Homeschool and public school options in Genoa City
“There are actually a lot of homeschoolers who live in the village, so we provide resources for them at the library,” Strehlow says. Public school students attend the Genoa City Joint 2 School District, starting with Brookwood Elementary School, which earns a B-minus score from Niche. Next is Brookwood Middle School, which has a C-plus. Kids then transition to the Lake Geneva Joint No. 1 School District to attend Badger High School, which has a B-plus rating. Its extracurricular clubs offer opportunities to participate in state competitions, like the Skills USA Competition for automotive repair.
Locals play at the parks and attend State Line Shockers baseball games
The village has four parks. Veterans Park is the most popular, as it hosts many of the village’s events. It features a veterans memorial, rentable pavilions and a playground. Dogs, leashed or otherwise, are not permitted. Memorial Park, next to Brookwood Middle School, has wooded walking trails, while Krisik Park is a hub for baseball practices and games. Anders Park is the trailhead for the McHenry County Prairie Trail. This bike path passes diverse natural landscapes as it travels from Kane County, IL, to the Wisconsin border.
Genoa City is home to the State Line Shockers, a travel baseball program. The Shockers train local players of various ages and skill levels, and their teams play throughout the county, including home games for residents to attend.
Laidback local restaurants and the Veterans Park farmers market
While Genoa City has a few industrial clusters, it has limited retail options. Fitzgerald’s Genoa Junction is known for its fish boils and barbeque ribs, while Herner’s Hideaway pairs laidback fare with live music and volleyball games. Dollar General has everyday essentials, but the closest grocery store is around 4 miles away. People shop for seasonal produce and handmade goods at the Veterans Park farmers market. It opens every Friday afternoon from May to September.
Highway 12 crosses the Wisconsin-Illinois border
Residents are car-dependent and use roads like Walworth and Main streets to travel around. The village also has Highway 12 access, which takes drivers to regional destinations or across the Wisconsin-Illinois border. The nearest hospital is in Lake Geneva, roughly 10 miles away. For flights, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 59 miles away.
Locals attend monthly library programs and village events
Strehlow says the Genoa City Public Library has grown into a community hub over the past few years. The library hosts several monthly programs, like a popular Pokémon club and an adult book club. “Since our summer reading program is huge for us, we’re probably going to introduce another book club geared toward younger people and genres that the other club doesn’t read,” she says. The library also participates in many village events, like Touch a Truck in September and Trunk or Treat around Halloween. August is a busy month for events, as residents enjoy carnival rides, games and local bands during the annual Genoa City Lions Days. August 2025 will mark the village’s 175th anniversary, which will be celebrated with live music in Veterans Park.
