Answers · MN
Lake Elmo vs Stillwater, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Lake Elmo and Stillwater are both in Washington County, and Highway 36 on Lake Elmo's north edge leads to Stillwater. Stillwater is a historic river town on the St. Croix with an estimated 19,354 residents in 2025 on about 8 square miles. Lake Elmo had an estimated 14,376 residents on about 22.1 square miles, and much of its land is still farmland.
Talk to Lesley About Lake Elmo and Stillwater
Side by side
| Fact | Lake Elmo | Stillwater |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Washington County |
| ZIP codes | 55042 | 55082 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 14,376 | 19,354 |
| Land area | About 22.1 sq mi | About 8 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $597,000 | $414,200 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 93.5% | 76.7% |
| School districts | Stillwater Area Public Schools; Mahtomedi Public Schools; North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale | Stillwater Area Public Schools |
| Main routes / transit | I-94 (south edge) and Highway 36 (north edge); Metro micro | Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 2,165 acres (county park); Sunfish Lake Park, 284 acres | No citywide park total on our page; Lift Bridge loop trail of nearly 5 miles |
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
Stillwater grew in the lumber era along the St. Croix. The South Hill neighborhood holds some of its finest older architecture, and the Downtown Commercial Historic District is both a local and a National Register district. If a home is in a historic or design review district, exterior changes may need city review.
Lake Elmo offers homes on acreage, where a private well and septic system are common, plus newer neighborhoods and new construction. Older homes sit near the historic downtown. We have the well and septic inspected before you buy.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $597,000 in Lake Elmo and $414,200 in Stillwater. Owners occupy 93.5 percent of homes in Lake Elmo and 76.7 percent in Stillwater. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices.
Getting around
Lake Elmo has Interstate 94 on its south edge, which leads west to St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Highway 36 on its north edge, which leads to Stillwater and the northern suburbs. Metro micro offers on-demand rides in parts of Lake Elmo and connects to the METRO Gold Line at Woodlane Transit Center in Woodbury.
Metro Transit Route 294 runs between downtown St. Paul and Stillwater, with a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center and a downtown stop at Water and Myrtle Streets. The 1931 Lift Bridge is now part of a nearly five-mile walking and biking loop that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Which one fits you?
If you want a historic home or a historic river downtown, Stillwater has South Hill and its historic district. If you want acreage, a rural setting, or new construction, Lake Elmo has all three. For the outdoors, Lake Elmo has the 2,165-acre Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and Stillwater has the St. Croix, Lily Lake Park, and the Lift Bridge loop. If you want a bus to downtown St. Paul, Stillwater has Route 294.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Lake Elmo page and our Stillwater page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Lake Elmo, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Stillwater, City of Lake Elmo: community, City of Lake Elmo: schools, Washington County: Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Metro Transit: Metro micro, City of Stillwater: historic districts, City of Stillwater: parks, Stillwater Area Public Schools, MnDOT: Stillwater Lift Bridge history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Elmo or Stillwater bigger?
Stillwater has more people, with an estimated 19,354 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 14,376 in Lake Elmo. Lake Elmo covers more land, about 22.1 square miles compared with about 8 in Stillwater.
Which has newer homes, Lake Elmo or Stillwater?
Lake Elmo has newer neighborhoods and new construction as it grows. Stillwater has many older homes, including the South Hill neighborhood, and its homes range widely in age. Both cities have a mix, so we compare each home with you.
Are Lake Elmo and Stillwater in the same county?
Yes. Both cities are in Washington County, Minnesota, and the county's Government Center is in Stillwater.
Which school districts serve Lake Elmo and Stillwater?
Stillwater Area Public Schools serves Stillwater. Stillwater Area Public Schools, Mahtomedi Public Schools, and North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale each serve parts of Lake Elmo. Confirm the schools for a specific address with the district.
How do I compare property taxes in Lake Elmo and Stillwater?
Washington County keeps the tax records for both cities. Search the county's property tax lookup by parcel number or address for each home. The City of Lake Elmo posts a property tax calculator, and the City of Stillwater has a property information lookup.
Is it easier to commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul from Lake Elmo or Stillwater?
Lake Elmo has Interstate 94 on its south edge and Highway 36 on its north edge. Stillwater has Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul. Your drive depends on where the home sits, so we look at it before you choose.
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