Apple River spent less per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar towns
Apple River’s town government spent $319,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $277 per resident.
What stands out about how Apple River is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$277 per resident in 2022: less than 92% of them
Apple River’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($277 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 1113 Wisconsin towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $511, and the middle half spent $373–$727. Apple River spent less than 92% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Wisconsin towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Apple River itself left out).
About $277 per resident a year, or $0.76 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 35%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Apple River reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,996 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.14% of the home’s value, vs 1.42% across Wisconsin.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Apple River’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Apple River’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Apple River →
Who’s in charge in Apple River
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Amery School District
Apple River’s K–12 school district, shared with Amery, Deer Park, Lincoln, Garfield, Alden and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $16,449 per pupil, $9,984 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Wisconsin districts overall: 39% local, 50% state, 11% federal.
Unity School District · $14,703 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Apple River voted in 2024
Official results for Apple River’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican68.7%502 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat29.8%218 votesOthers: 1.5% (11 votes).
Most votes in Apple River: Donald J Trump
Polk County: Trump 64.8%, Harris 33.9% · Wisconsin: Trump 49.6%, Harris 48.7%
of Apple River’s 947 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Wisconsin: 76%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Apple River: Eric Hovde
Polk County: Hovde 62.5%, Baldwin 34.8% · Wisconsin: Baldwin 49.3%, Hovde 48.5%
Most votes in the district: Tom Tiffany
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Apple River, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple River | 68.7% | 29.8% | 1.5% | 731 |
| Polk County | 64.8% | 33.9% | 1.3% | 28,222 |
| Wisconsin | 49.6% | 48.7% | 1.7% | 3,422,918 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Apple River.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Wisconsin AssemblyState representatives
- 3Wisconsin SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Wisconsin
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Apple River compares with the towns next door
Apple River spent $277 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $284 to $492. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Balsam Lake | $284 | $2,887 |
| Lincoln | $306 | $3,263 |
| Georgetown | $478 | $2,887 |
| Beaver | $492 | $2,855 |
| Apple River | $277 | $2,996 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Apple River’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Apple River’s government
How much does Apple River spend per resident?
About $277 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $277 was less than 92% of 1113 Wisconsin towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Apple River?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,996 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.14% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.42% across Wisconsin. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.
Who runs Apple River’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Apple River yet.
How did Apple River vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 68.7%, Kamala D Harris 29.8% (731 votes, official results). Polk County: Trump 64.8%, Harris 33.9%. Wisconsin: Trump 49.6%, Harris 48.7%.
How many people work for Apple River?
0 full-time and 38 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $3,578 (about $42,936 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Apple River in the state legislature?
State Senate District 25 (Romaine Quinn) and Assembly District 75 (Duke Tucker). The Assembly district also covers 56 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Apple River’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →