Apple River, Illinois Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

The current estimated population of Apple River is 360, with a gender distribution of 50% male and 50% female. The population has remained stable, reflecting the village’s small-town character and its appeal as a rural retreat in northwestern Illinois.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1847
  • County: Jo Daviess County
  • Land area: 0.2 square miles
  • Population density: 1,800 people per square mile
  • Area code: 815
  • Zip code: 61001

Geography and Location

Apple River is a small village located in Jo Daviess County, in the northwestern corner of Illinois, near the borders with Wisconsin and Iowa. The village is named after the nearby Apple River, which runs through the area, and it is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland typical of the Driftless Area, a region known for its lack of glacial flattening. Apple River experiences a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers, and the surrounding landscape provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping. The village is located near Apple River Canyon State Park, a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Apple River is situated about 30 miles east of Galena, a historic town known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture. Despite its small size, Apple River serves as a peaceful rural retreat, attracting residents and visitors looking for a quiet, scenic environment in the heart of Illinois’ Driftless Area.

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.1 years
Median household income: $40,250
Median house value: $51,300

Population by Race

Races in Apple River:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.9%)
  • Black (0.8%)

Ancestries: German (41.2%), Irish (12.1%), English (10.3%), United States (8.2%), Dutch (4.2%), Norwegian (3.4%).

Elevation: 995 feet

Land area: 0.8 square miles

Map of Apple River, IL

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Apple River

  • High school or higher: 74.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.9%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
  • Unemployed: 5.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 32.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Apple River village

  • Never married: 24.2%
  • Now married: 53.0%
  • Separated: 0.7%
  • Widowed: 10.4%
  • Divorced: 11.7%

0.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -16 (-4.1%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Apple River:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Apple River:

  • DUBUQUE REGIONAL (about 43 miles; DUBUQUE, IA; Abbreviation: DBQ)
  • CLINTON MUNI (about 50 miles; CLINTON, IA; Abbreviation: CWI)
  • WHITESIDE CO ARPT-JOS H BITTORF FLD (about 61 miles; STERLING/ROCKFALLS, IL; Abbreviation: SQI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Apple River:

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Apple River:

  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE (about 32 miles; PLATTEVILLE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 5,045)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN COLLEGES (about 61 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 8,737)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (about 62 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 37,607)
  • MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 67 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 7,914)
  • SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY (about 74 miles; DAVENPORT, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,310)
  • BLACK HAWK COLLEGE (about 75 miles; MOLINE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 3,891)
  • EASTERN IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (about 76 miles; DAVENPORT, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,180)

Public primary/middle school in Apple River:

  • APPLE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 110; Location: 301 W HICKORY ST; Grades: 04 – 06)