Answers · MN
Cottage Grove vs St. Paul Park, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park are neighbors in Washington County, and both sit on the Mississippi River along Highway 61. Cottage Grove is far larger, with an estimated 43,604 residents in 2025 on about 33.6 square miles, while St. Paul Park had an estimated 5,396 on about 3 square miles. St. Paul Park dates to 1887 and has an older street grid, and Cottage Grove adds newer subdivisions and new construction.
Talk to Lesley About Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park
Side by side
| Fact | Cottage Grove | St. Paul Park |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Washington County |
| ZIP codes | 55016 | 55071 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 43,604 | 5,396 |
| Land area | About 33.6 sq mi | About 3 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $378,800 | $263,500 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88.2% | 76.0% |
| School districts | South Washington County Schools | South Washington County Schools |
| Main routes / transit | Highway 61 (shared with Highway 10); express Route 363 | Highway 61 (shared with Highway 10); express Route 363 from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | Almost 2,000 acres of parkland; 38 neighborhood parks; nearly 100 miles of trails | 9 city parks and a community garden |
Population is the Census estimate for July 1, 2025. The home value and owner share come from the Census survey for 2020 to 2024, so they are not today's sale prices. Confirm schools for any address with the district.
Homes
St. Paul Park was established in 1887, and its homes were built across many decades on a traditional street grid. With an older home, we look closely at the foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing, and updates. The St. Paul Park Refinery, owned by Marathon Petroleum, operates in the city, so we show you where a home sits in relation to it.
Cottage Grove has ranch and split-level homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s in Thompson Grove and its older central neighborhoods. Old Cottage Grove was platted in 1871, and newer subdivisions and new construction include Eastbrooke, Hawthorne, Glacial Valley Estates, and Ravine Crossing.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $378,800 in Cottage Grove and $263,500 in St. Paul Park. Owners occupy 88.2 percent of homes in Cottage Grove and 76.0 percent in St. Paul Park. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices.
Getting around
Highway 61, which shares the road with Highway 10, runs through both cities and leads north to Interstate 494 and St. Paul. St. Paul Park sits 5 miles downstream from St. Paul, and Cottage Grove sits about 10 miles south of St. Paul. No interstate runs through Cottage Grove itself.
Both cities use the same express bus. Metro Transit Route 363 runs from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride, at 7500 West Point Douglas Road South, to downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.
Which one fits you?
If you want a compact river town with an older street grid, St. Paul Park fits that description. If you want newer subdivisions, new construction, or more parkland, Cottage Grove has almost 2,000 acres of parks and nearly 100 miles of trails. Both cities have homes near the Mississippi, so we check the flood zone for any home near the river.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Cottage Grove page and our St. Paul Park page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Cottage Grove, U.S. Census QuickFacts: St. Paul Park, City of Cottage Grove: parks, City of Cottage Grove: transit, City of St. Paul Park: history, City of St. Paul Park: parks, Metro Transit: Route 363.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove or St. Paul Park bigger?
Cottage Grove is much bigger. It had an estimated 43,604 residents on July 1, 2025, on about 33.6 square miles of land. St. Paul Park had an estimated 5,396 residents on about 3 square miles.
Which has newer homes, Cottage Grove or St. Paul Park?
Cottage Grove has newer subdivisions and new construction, along with ranch and split-level homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s. St. Paul Park dates to 1887, and its homes were built across many decades. We compare the age and condition of each home with you.
Are Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park in the same county?
Yes. Both cities are in Washington County, Minnesota. St. Paul Park is its own city, separate from the city of St. Paul, and it borders Cottage Grove.
Which school districts serve Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park?
South Washington County Schools serves both cities. High school students in St. Paul Park attend Park High School in Cottage Grove. Confirm the schools for a specific address with the district, because boundaries can change.
How do I compare property taxes in Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park?
Washington County keeps the tax records for both cities. Use the county's parcel lookup to see the tax on each home, and its estimated tax calculator for a rough figure.
Is it easier to commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul from Cottage Grove or St. Paul Park?
Both cities use Highway 61 north toward Interstate 494 and St. Paul, and both use express Route 363 from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride. St. Paul Park sits 5 miles downstream from St. Paul, and Cottage Grove sits about 10 miles south of it. We look at your drive from the specific home.
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