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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Plover by the Numbers
14,536
Population
40
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$356,000
Median Single Family Price$355,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft$179
Months Of Supply1
Demographics and Finance
Population Density21 ppl/acre
Median Household Income$74K
Higher than National Average$71K
% Owners63%
Higher than National Average63%
College Graduates38%
Higher than National Average34%
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Plover, WI
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 McKinley Center
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Roosevelt IDEA School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#3 McDill Elementary School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#4 Plover-Whiting Elementary School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle School
#1 Benjamin Franklin Junior High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Public High School
#1 Stevens Point Area Senior High School
B+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Best Private School
#1 Pacelli Catholic Elementary School - St. Bronislava
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