Geneva gains and loses population

To look at the 2010 Census results, one might conclude that Geneva both gained and lost.

The town grew since the 2000 Census, by 1,124 people, to a population of 21,495.

But it lost 406 people since a special census conducted in 2004 set its population at 21,901.

That could hurt the city budget a little, as some revenues it gets from state and federal governments are based on population. That includes the local share of the state income tax, use taxes and the motor fuel tax.

The state returns 10 percent of the income tax it collects to municipalities. It divides that figure by the total population of the state to come up with a monthly per capita rate. For February 2011, it is $8.48 per person, meaning Geneva is due $185,720. But if the new population were used, it would receive $3,443 less.

The recent temporary increase in the state income tax will not benefit the city, because that portion is not subject to the local share rule, according to a spokesman from the Illinois Department of Revenue.