Standing 38 feet tall, the World’s Largest Potato Masher in Plover, Wisconsin, is a testament to the village’s agricultural roots, with hundreds of farmers working to ensure their produce gets from the farm to the table. Rated the No. 1 best place to live in Portage County by Niche.com, Plover has over 900 acres of green land with outdoor recreation opportunities to match. A growing village of nearly 14,000 people, Plover is continuously investing in new developments, including the 50,000-square-foot Food + Farm Exploration Center that just celebrated its first anniversary. “We’ve had well over 57,000 visitors into the center," marketing and communications director JanEl Daul says. “That’s more than the population of Plover itself.”
Pull up a potato and watch how farm machines help feed the world in Plover and all over.
Check seeing the world's largest potato masher off of your bucket list in Plover.
1/2
New builds on nearly 200 acres of residential land
Plover’s growth in the late 20th century can be seen in the northern end and around the river, with mostly ranch-style and bi-level homes built in the 1970s. Ongoing development on the southeastern end of the village includes the Arbor Haven and Harvest Acres subdivisions, with acres costing between $60,000 and $72,000 before the cost of the house itself. “Plover has grown every year for the last 50 years,” village president Gary Wolf says. “Just having the open space with which to develop is one advantage we enjoy.” The median sale price for a single-family home of $345,000 is below the national median but above neighboring city Stevens Point.
Charming bi-level homes are found throughout Plover.
New developments are popping up all over Plover.
1/2
In the heart of potato country
The primary driver for Plover’s local economy is agribusiness, with most jobs centered around food processing and manufacturing. The largest companies are the Del Monte Corporation, a vegetable processing plant that employs around 400 people, as well as frozen appetizer manufacturer Monogram Foods, which employs over 300 people. More than 200 employees also work at the McCain Foods potato processing plant. “We’re in the heart of potato country, so a lot of our potatoes become Ore-Ida French fries or Lay’s potato chips,” Gary says.
Del Monte employs hundreds of Plover residents.
Most potatoes grown in Plover end up in. Lay's Potato Chips.
1/2
An extensive parks system with new attractions
Located alongside the Wisconsin River, the village of Plover has over 200 acres of parkland across 20 parks, with outdoor amenities including baseball, volleyball and biking. The village recently updated Lake Pacawa Park with a 6,000-square-foot splash pad, and a new 12-court pickleball facility will open in the summer of 2025. Residents can also pick out their own produce at the Hosta Stop Gardens and the Food + Farm Exploration Center. “They plant various crops like corn, potatoes, beans, and then we invite the community to come in, pick and take them home,” JanEl says. “Whatever is left, we donate to local pantries.”
The wonderful Wisconsin River flows through Plover.
Pacawa Park is a newly built park in Plover that boasts a splash pad.
1/2
A freshly brewed dining scene
Crossroads Commons is the area’s go-to shopping mall, with storefronts including T.J. Maxx, Petco and Ulta Beauty Bar. The local dining scene also has a large taproom presence, including the seasonal floating riverboat Sandbar and the O’so Brewing Company, which has been serving its own craft beers year-round since 2007. Local grocery stores include Metro Market, Menards and Aldi, while Fleet Farm is a top spot for fishing, farming and snow gear.
Find everything you need and more at the Crossroads Collective in Plover.
O'so Brewing is a vast space full of music and fun in Plover.
1/2
Stevens Point of education
As part of the Stevens Point Area Public School District, Plover is part of a B-plus-rated school system noted for its quality of teachers, clubs and activities, according to Niche.com. Local elementary campuses include Plover-Whiting Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary, which Niche rates as the fifth-best elementary school in Portage County. Stevens Point Area Senior High is also ranked amongst the top 100 public high schools in Wisconsin and has a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1 and a graduation rate of 95%.
Stevens Point Area Senior High serves students in Plover and beyond.
Roosevelt Elementary School is a well-rated primary school in Plover.
1/2
Getting around Plover
Stevens Point Central Transportation provides public bus services from Plover to Stevens Point, and the village offers its own taxi services, charging $1 per mile outside of village limits. The closest commercial airport is the Central Wisconsin Airport, 25 miles north of Plover, while the nearest emergency care is Aspirus Plover Hospital at the northeast corner of the village.
Weather and crime
While below the snow belt and far enough inland to avoid lake-effect blasts, Plover gets between 40 and 50 inches of snow in a typical year. According to FBI data, both the violent and property crime rates are below the national average.
Written By
David Dunn
Photography Contributed By
Hayley McCormick
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Eagan,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Plover, WI sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Plover, WI over the last 12 months is $355,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tucked away in one of Plover’s most desirable neighborhoods, this expansive 4 bed, 3.5 bath home offers the perfect blend of privacy, space, and style. Immaculately landscaped grounds welcome you in, with a large deck and patio that create the ultimate outdoor entertaining space—perfect for grilling or relaxing by the fire in your private backyard oasis. Inside, you’ll find a sun-filled main
Welcome to EMPIRE SQUARE! The marquee development site of Central Wisconsin. Look no further if you want to feature your business at a busy intersection as over 25,000+ vehicles pass this property every day! From this location, you have access to local customers, commuters and passing through traffic. This area, with the new recent developments and the upcoming highway updates are going to see
Welcome to EMPIRE SQUARE! The marquee development site of Central Wisconsin. Look no further if you want to feature your business at a busy intersection as over 25,000+ vehicles pass this property every day! From this location, you have access to local customers, commuters and passing through traffic. This area, with the new recent developments and the upcoming highway updates are going to see
Introducing the ultimate investment opportunity! Located in the new Harvest Acres Neighborhood of Plover, WI. Get ready to reap the rewards of investing in a BRAND NEW duplex. With a total of two units up for grabs, each boasting 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a 2-car garage, AND already all rented out and occupied makes this is the golden chance you've been waiting for. From the moment you drive
Experience the epitome of comfortable living at The Windsor Apartments. Our community offers a serene, yet convenient lifestyle, nestled in the heart of Plover. With a variety of spacious one and two-bedroom floor plans, The Windsor Apartments are designed to cater to your unique needs and preferences, ensuring the perfect home for everyone.Located just moments away from shopping centers,
Introducing our newly constructed apartments in Plover, WI. Each unit comes equipped with a garage for convenient parking, A/C to keep you cool during the warmer months, a private patio/deck for outdoor relaxation, and a private entrance for added privacy. Enjoy the convenience of in-unit laundry, as well as ADA accessibility for added comfort and ease of living. With off-street parking
When you call Prairie View home, you'll find yourself in a quiet setting enhanced with a variety of unique amenities. Our community offers two bedroom floor plans spaciously designed with comfort in mind. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
