Amery is a lively small town with an outdoorsy ambiance
Set on the west bank of the winding Apple River, Amery is a small town in northwestern Wisconsin. The town originated as a timber hub in the late 19th century, but currently serves as a retail and commercial hub for mostly rural Polk County. The various lakes and trails surrounding the town have also made it an increasingly popular tourist destination throughout the year. "When people think of small towns in the Midwest, they think of places that are fading away. That's not Amery," says real estate agent Nicole Froehlich of Compass Realty Group, who has lived in the area for over 25 years. "There's a really lively downtown area, a lot of good factory jobs, and the population is growing." Major employers in the area include Amery Hospital & Clinic and the Cardinal Laminated Glass Plant.
Older homes near the center of town and newer ones in the outskirts
Amery's housing stock is made up of a mix of single-family homes. Late 19th and early-20th-century frame houses and brick homes can be found near the center of town, while ranch-style and split-level houses mark postwar subdivisions farther out. Some newer divisions have also sprung up around the outskirts of town, offering a bit more space and modern amenities. Most homes in the area are on traditional lots, many of which back up onto the forests and lakes that surround the area. Homes in Amery sell for anywhere from $180,000 to $490,000.
A bustling, walkable downtown
Retail in Amery is mostly concentrated along Keller Avenue, the town's main road, but it's split into two sections. A newer retail area on the south side of town is home to the local supermarket as well as a few larger shops, including furniture and hardware stores, and the local Chevy dealership. Downtown Amery, meanwhile, is located in the center of town and is home to a variety of small shops and restaurants. "There are some awesome little boutiques in town, and some great restaurants," says Froehlich. "It's actually a really nice place to go for a walk. And there are some trails that run right through downtown, that you go straight to the lakes around town, so you can just grab an ice cream or coffee and go for a nature walk."
Tons of waterways and two state trails in the center of town
Outdoor recreation is an important part of Amery's identity. The town is surrounded by water: the Apple River to the east, and Pike Lake and the Twin Lakes to the west. Its official nickname is actually The City of Lakes. Boat ownership is common, and fishing and ice fishing are a way of life for many in the community. The 14-mile Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, and the 18-mile Cattail State Trail meet in the heart of Amery and are popular with hikers, bikers and horseback riders in the summer and skiers and snowmobilers in the winter. The public Amery Golf Club on the south side of town is a century-old 18-hole course built around a central water feature.
Amery public schools
Amery School District oversees the public schools in the area. Amery Intermediate School has a B-plus rating on Niche, while Amery Middle School has an A-minus. Amery High School has a B-minus rating and offers dual enrollment classes through partnerships with local colleges like the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
The Amery Fall festival draws crowds
The Amery Fall Festival, held each September, is the city's largest annual gathering and includes a sizeable parade, live music, classic car shows and craft vendors. The city also operates a seasonal farmers' market at the Soo Line Pavilion from June through October.
A bit of a drive to the Twin Cities
State Route 46 runs north-south through the heart of Amery and is the main route in or out of town. There's no public transportation, so locals generally rely on cars to get around. It's roughly 60 miles by car to the Twin Cities, the nearest major urban center, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. While there are a few larger towns closer to Amery, residents looking for shopping or entertainment generally head to the Twin Cities.
