Answers · MN
Stillwater vs Hastings, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Stillwater and Hastings are both historic river cities, but they sit in different counties. Stillwater is in Washington County on the St. Croix River, with an estimated 19,354 residents in 2025 on about 8 square miles, and Hastings is the Dakota County seat at the junction of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, with an estimated 22,563 residents on about 10.3 square miles. Stillwater has Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul, and Hastings relies on Highway 61 and local dial-a-ride service.
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Side by side
| Fact | Stillwater | Hastings |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Dakota County (county seat) |
| ZIP codes | 55082 | 55033 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 19,354 | 22,563 |
| Land area | About 8 sq mi | About 10.3 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $414,200 | $322,400 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.7% | 76.4% |
| School districts | Stillwater Area Public Schools | Hastings Public Schools |
| Main routes / transit | Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul | Highway 61; DARTS circulator on Tuesdays; Transit Link dial-a-ride |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | Lowell Park, Lily Lake Park, Staples Field, and Northland Park; Lift Bridge loop trail of nearly 5 miles | 37 parks on about 400 acres; about 30 miles of trails |
Population is the Census estimate for July 1, 2025. The home values are U.S. Census survey figures for 2020 to 2024, not today's sale prices. Confirm the schools for any address with the district.
Homes
Stillwater grew in the lumber era along the St. Croix River. The South Hill neighborhood holds many of its historic homes, 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.
Hastings was platted in 1853 and incorporated in 1857. In the Old Hastings Historic District, houses date from the 1860s to the 1920s, and later neighborhoods grew as the city went from 6,546 people in 1950 to more than 22,000. Parts of Hastings along the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers are floodplain, so this matters for any home near the water.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $414,200 in Stillwater and $322,400 in Hastings. Owners occupy 76.7 percent of homes in Stillwater and 76.4 percent in Hastings. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices, so we pull recent sales for the homes you are considering.
Getting around
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. The drive to St. Paul or Minneapolis depends on where in Stillwater the home sits.
Hastings sits southeast of the Twin Cities at the junction of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, and Highway 61 crosses the Mississippi there. Hastings does not have a large fixed-route bus network, but a DARTS circulator bus loops the city on Tuesdays, and Transit Link offers dial-a-ride service on weekdays.
Which one fits you?
Both cities have historic homes and downtowns, so the choice often comes down to the river and the route. If you want the St. Croix, the Lift Bridge loop trail, and a bus to downtown St. Paul, Stillwater is worth a look. If you want the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers, the Ten-Mile Loop, and Vermillion Falls Park, Hastings is worth a look. In either city, changes to a home in a historic district may need city review.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Stillwater page and our Hastings page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Stillwater, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Hastings, City of Stillwater: historic districts, City of Stillwater: parks, Stillwater Area Public Schools, MnDOT: Stillwater Lift Bridge history, City of Hastings: history, City of Hastings: Heritage Preservation Commission history, City of Hastings: parks and recreation, City of Hastings: public transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stillwater or Hastings bigger?
Hastings has more people. Stillwater had an estimated 19,354 residents on July 1, 2025, and Hastings had an estimated 22,563. Stillwater covers about 8 square miles of land, and Hastings covers about 10.3.
Which has newer homes, Stillwater or Hastings?
Both cities have many older homes. Stillwater grew in the lumber era, and its South Hill neighborhood and downtown historic district hold many historic buildings. Hastings has houses from the 1860s to the 1920s in the Old Hastings Historic District, plus later neighborhoods built as the city grew after 1950. We compare the age of each home you are considering.
Are Stillwater and Hastings in the same county?
No. Stillwater is in Washington County, and Hastings is in Dakota County.
Which school districts serve Stillwater and Hastings?
Stillwater Area Public Schools serves Stillwater. Hastings Public Schools serves Hastings. The district depends on the address, so confirm it with the district for any home before you make an offer.
How do I compare property taxes in Stillwater and Hastings?
Each county keeps its own records. Washington County has the tax records for Stillwater, and Dakota County has them for Hastings. Search each county's property information lookup by address or parcel number to see the taxes and assessed value for each home. We pull those records with you for the exact homes on your list.
Is it easier to commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul from Stillwater or Hastings?
Stillwater has Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul, with a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center. Hastings sits southeast of the Twin Cities on Highway 61, and it has a DARTS circulator on Tuesdays and Transit Link dial-a-ride on weekdays instead of a large bus network. We map your actual route before you choose.
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