Biron brings riverside living and recreation to the area
The Village of Biron first started as a lumber town, building the sawmill along the Wisconsin River in 1839. Eventually, it turned into a paper mill, which it still is today, functioning as a major employer for the community. Additionally, the river also offers boating and fishing opportunities, drawing in homebuyers looking to live closer to the river. Compared to other outlying communities around the city of Wisconsin Rapids, Biron combines riverside recreation and living, with public boat launches and private docks along the banks of the Wisconsin River, which are unavailable along other portions of the waterway. Biron has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Boating on the Wisconsin River and Biron's neighborhood parks
Along the Wisconsin River, it’s common to see neighbors out boating or fishing at the public pier off North Biron Drive. “The stretch from Biron up to Plover isn’t dammed, so you can hit up different sand bars and there’s a section where wake boats are supposed to go,” says Realtor Weston Meyer with NextHome Partners. “We have two small kids, so it’s nice to escape with them to the river.” Another fishing pier is at Gateway Park, though others just come here for the views of the river. Biron Park includes a playground, baseball diamond and basketball and tennis courts. A multi-use recreational trail stretches from South Biron Drive to Kahoun Drive.
Ranch-style homes with half an acre and riverfront properties
Ranch-style homes are the most common housing option in Biron, settled along streets without sidewalks and where trees in front yards rise over the rooftops. Most properties here offer less than half an acre, even less than other areas outside of Wisconsin Rapids. Most homes range from $150,000 to $360,000. Waterfront properties with private docks and river views are slower to come on the market, but recent sales closed for $445,000 and $549,000. The Bridgewater community sits along the water and offers boat slips that residents can rent. Bridgewater's developer is also working on building along the Wisconsin River’s channels to bring more waterfront properties to the area.
Anchor Bay for jumbo shrimp and Wisconsin Rapids for groceries
Anchor Bay Bar and Grill is a popular spot in Biron. “Anchor Bay is ‘the’ restaurant, right along the river by the boat landing — that’s where everyone keeps their boats,” Meyer says. “They have live music up there every Sunday in the summer.” The location by the docks means people can boat right up to the restaurant, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating for nice days. The menu features burgers, pizza and steaks, but locals know it for the jumbo shrimp. Avocado Mexican Grill serves tacos and tamales. Biron residents head to Wisconsin Rapids for groceries, where there’s a Quality Foods and Aldi about 4 miles away and a Walmart Supercenter about 7 miles away.
Concert series at Anchor Bay and Dempze Cranberry Company
Anchor Bay Concert Series runs from June to August on Tuesday evenings on the patio and Sunday evenings on the main stage. Rooted in Red, part of the fifth-generation family-owned Dempze Cranberry Company, is a cranberry farm and event venue that started welcoming visitors to the grounds around 2020. Visitors can book wagon tours or participate in harvest immersion days in October, where they can pick their own cranberries. In the summer, there’s Bogside Beats and Eats one Saturday of each month. “They invite bands out to play, and you can bring a lawn chair and blanket and watch the bands and drink,” Meyer says.
Biron students go to one of two elementary schools
Students on the eastern side of 48th Street may head to Washington Elementary School, while those on the western side may attend Howe Elementary School. Both receive B ratings from Niche. Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School receives a C. Lincoln High School receives a B-minus and offers its students 21 sports teams and 50 clubs.
Amenities about 4 miles away in Wisconsin Rapids
South Biron Drive links the village with Wisconsin Rapids, about 4 miles away, where people can go for medical care at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital. While much of life and activity in Biron revolves around the Wisconsin River, the village doesn’t have a way for cars to cross it. Instead, the nearest bridge is at Jackson Street in the city. About 37 miles away in Mosinee, Central Wisconsin Airport is the nearest airport, offering regular flights to Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
