This was also a concern of mine when I was choosing where to apply to. I basically just applied to places with faculty that shared by theoretical interests and cut out a couple of places where I couldn't see myself living for 5+ years. Having worked with people in the past who fought me on my approach, it is something I want to avoid in doing a PhD.
My status changed on the 28th after getting my official letter by email on the evening of the 27th. I heard from my POI on the 26th that I had been admitted.
I only applied to six and only to places that actually interested me. With my interests I don't think I could've applied many more, at least in the US, that would've made sense fit-wise.