Answers · MN
Woodbury vs Stillwater, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Woodbury and Stillwater are both in Washington County, but they differ a lot in size and age. Woodbury is a large suburb with an estimated 81,558 residents in 2025 on about 34.9 square miles, while Stillwater is a historic river city on the St. Croix River with an estimated 19,354 residents on about 8 square miles. Woodbury has Interstates 94 and 494 and the METRO Gold Line, and Stillwater has Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul.
Talk to Lesley About Woodbury and Stillwater
Side by side
| Fact | Woodbury | Stillwater |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Washington County |
| ZIP codes | 55125, 55129 | 55082 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 81,558 | 19,354 |
| Land area | About 34.9 sq mi | About 8 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $450,200 | $414,200 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.6% | 76.7% |
| School districts | South Washington County Schools (most of the city); Stillwater Area Schools; North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale | Stillwater Area Public Schools |
| Main routes / transit | I-94 and I-494; METRO Gold Line (3 stations) | Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | About 3,500 acres of parkland; more than 170 miles of trails | Lowell Park, Lily Lake Park, Staples Field, and Northland Park; Lift Bridge loop trail of nearly 5 miles |
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
Woodbury's first suburban neighborhood, Woodbury Heights, began in 1955, so its oldest homes date to the 1950s and 1960s. Later subdivisions added two-story homes, townhomes, and association-maintained communities, and new construction is still under way. About 90 percent of Woodbury's lakeshore is public trail and parkland, so homes directly on a lake are rare.
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.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $450,200 in Woodbury and $414,200 in Stillwater. Owners occupy 77.6 percent of homes in Woodbury and 76.7 percent in Stillwater. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices, so we pull recent sales for the homes you are considering.
Getting around
Woodbury sits 8 miles east of St. Paul. Interstate 94 forms its northern boundary and leads west to St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Interstate 494 runs along its west side toward the airport and Bloomington. The METRO Gold Line opened in 2025 with Tamarack, Woodbury Theatre, and Woodlane stations, and Woodlane has a park-and-ride.
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.
Which one fits you?
If you want an older home in a historic river city, near a downtown historic district and the Lift Bridge loop trail, Stillwater is worth a look. If you want homes that range from the 1950s to new construction, lakes ringed by public trails, and an all-day bus line, Woodbury is worth a look.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Woodbury page and our Stillwater page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Woodbury, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Stillwater, City of Woodbury: community profile, City of Woodbury: schools, City of Woodbury: METRO Gold Line, City of Stillwater: historic districts, City of Stillwater: parks, Stillwater Area Public Schools, MnDOT: Stillwater Lift Bridge history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woodbury or Stillwater bigger?
Woodbury has more people. Woodbury had an estimated 81,558 residents on July 1, 2025, and Stillwater had an estimated 19,354. Woodbury covers about 34.9 square miles of land, and Stillwater covers about 8.
Which has newer homes, Woodbury or Stillwater?
Woodbury still has new construction under way, and its first suburban neighborhood began in 1955. Stillwater grew in the lumber era, and its South Hill neighborhood and downtown historic district hold many historic buildings. We compare the age of each home you are considering.
Are Woodbury and Stillwater in the same county?
Yes. Woodbury and Stillwater are both in Washington County, Minnesota.
Which school districts serve Woodbury and Stillwater?
South Washington County Schools serves most of Woodbury, and Stillwater Area Schools and North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale serve some Woodbury addresses. Stillwater Area Public Schools serves Stillwater. 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 Woodbury and Stillwater?
Washington County keeps the tax records for both cities. Search the county's property information lookup by address or parcel number to see the taxes and the assessed value for each home you are comparing. We pull those records with you for the exact homes on your list.
Is it easier to commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul from Woodbury or Stillwater?
Woodbury sits 8 miles east of St. Paul on Interstate 94 and has the all-day METRO Gold Line. Stillwater has Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul, with a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center. The drive from Stillwater depends on where in the city the home sits. We map your actual route before you choose.
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