MN
Homes and Real Estate in Stillwater, Minnesota
Stillwater sits on the St. Croix River in Washington County, with a historic downtown, the 1931 Lift Bridge, and a nearly five-mile river loop trail.
Living in Stillwater
Stillwater is a river city on the St. Croix River in Washington County, with 19,394 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated 19,354 in 2025. The Lift Bridge connects it to Houlton, Wisconsin, across the river.
I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty. We help buyers and sellers across the east metro, including Stillwater and its neighbors Lake Elmo, Oakdale, and Woodbury.
What is Stillwater, MN like? It is a historic river town with a downtown commercial historic district, historic neighborhoods such as South Hill, city parks and trails, and Washington County's Government Center.
Talk to Lesley About Stillwater
How Stillwater grew, and what that means for buyers
Stillwater grew in the lumber era along the St. Croix. The city's downtown walking tour stops at sawmill and lumber sites, the Territorial Convention site at Myrtle and Main, and the Washington County Historic Courthouse. The courthouse was completed in 1870 and is the oldest standing courthouse in Minnesota.
- Historic homes. The South Hill neighborhood holds some of the city's finest older architecture, and the city runs a self-guided South Hill walking tour. Owners who keep a historic home's character can be honored through the Heirloom Homes and Landmark Sites program.
- The historic downtown. The Downtown Commercial Historic District is both a local district and a National Register district. It is the only designated historic district in the city.
For buyers, an older home brings charm and also questions about its roof, foundation, wiring, and past updates. If a home is in a historic or design review district, exterior changes may need city review, so we check that before you plan a project.
The river, parks, and trails
- The St. Croix River and Lift Bridge. The 1931 Lift Bridge, which once carried Highway 36 across the river, is part of a nearly five-mile bicycle and pedestrian loop trail that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Lowell Park. The first stop on the city's downtown walking tour.
- Lily Lake Park. Pickleball courts and a winter skating rink on the lake.
- Dog park. A fenced off-leash dog park at 2000 Myrtle Street West.
- Skate park. An outdoor skate park behind the Stillwater Rec Center at 1675 Market Drive.
- Trails. Natural wood-chip paths and paved trails for walking, biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Commute and schools
The commute. 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 stop downtown at Water and Myrtle Streets. Your drive time to St. Paul or Minneapolis depends on where in Stillwater the home sits, so we look at your daily drive before you choose.
Schools. Stillwater Area Public Schools (District 834) serves Stillwater and 17 other communities along the St. Croix. The district has seven elementary attendance areas that feed two middle schools, and all District 834 students attend Stillwater Area High School. Boundaries can change, so confirm the schools for any specific home with the district.
Stillwater at a glance
- County: Washington County, whose Government Center is in Stillwater. ZIP code 55082.
- Population: 19,394 at the 2020 census, and an estimated 19,354 on July 1, 2025.
- Size: about 8 square miles of land, on the west bank of the St. Croix River.
- Homes: 76.7 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the median value of an owner-occupied home was $414,200 in the Census survey for 2020 to 2024. That is a survey figure, not today's sale prices.
- History: the Downtown Commercial Historic District is a local and National Register district, and the Washington County Historic Courthouse, completed in 1870, is the oldest standing courthouse in Minnesota.
- Transit: Metro Transit Route 294 to downtown St. Paul, with a park-and-ride at the St. Croix Valley Rec Center.
- Schools: Stillwater Area Public Schools (District 834).
- Trash: one city hauler, Waste Management, for all homes. You set up service directly and are billed quarterly for trash, recycling, and yard waste carts.
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts, the City of Stillwater historic districts, walking tours, parks, and garbage and recycling pages, Stillwater Area Public Schools, MnDOT's Lift Bridge history, and Washington County's Historic Courthouse page.
How we help buyers and sellers in Stillwater
Stillwater's homes range widely in age, and an older home asks different questions than a newer one. We help you compare them with facts, not guesses.
- Buying. We begin with your budget and the steps of the purchase. See buying a home in Minnesota, our page for move-up buyers, and how we help buyers.
- Selling. We price your home from recent Stillwater sales, prepare it, and market it widely. See selling your home and our home value page.
- Relocating. If you are moving to Minnesota and considering Stillwater, our relocation page explains how to buy from a distance.
Comparing communities? We also work in nearby Lake Elmo and Woodbury.
Let's talk about Stillwater
Whether you are buying your first home here, moving up, or selling, we would be glad to help. No pressure and no obligation.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770. What questions do you have?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Stillwater, Minnesota?
Stillwater is in Washington County on the west bank of the St. Croix River, across from Houlton, Wisconsin. Washington County's Government Center is in Stillwater.
How big is Stillwater?
Stillwater covers about 8 square miles of land. It had 19,394 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated 19,354 on July 1, 2025.
What county is Stillwater, MN in?
Stillwater is in Washington County, Minnesota.
What ZIP code is Stillwater, MN?
Stillwater uses ZIP code 55082.
What is the median home value in Stillwater?
The median value of an owner-occupied home in Stillwater was $414,200 in the U.S. Census survey covering 2020 to 2024, and 76.7 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. That is a survey figure. For what homes sell for today, ask us for recent sales in the neighborhood you are considering.
How do I look up property taxes on a Stillwater home?
Washington County keeps the tax records. Search the county's property tax lookup by parcel number or by street address to see the current tax and the assessed value. The City of Stillwater also has a property information lookup on its website.
Which school district serves Stillwater?
Stillwater Area Public Schools (District 834) serves Stillwater and 17 other communities from Marine on St. Croix to Afton. Confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district's enrollment office.
Is there public transit in Stillwater?
Yes. 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.
Is there a hospital in Stillwater?
Yes. Lakeview Hospital, part of HealthPartners, is at 927 Churchill Street West in Stillwater.
Is there a public library in Stillwater?
Yes. The Stillwater Public Library is at 224 Third Street North. It is an associate library of the Washington County Library system and holds the St. Croix Collection of local history.
How does garbage pickup work in Stillwater?
Stillwater uses one hauler, Waste Management, for all residential homes. You set up service directly with Waste Management, which bills quarterly and provides trash, recycling, and yard waste carts. Recycling is picked up every other week, and yard waste from April 15 to November 15.
Are there historic homes in Stillwater?
Yes. Neighborhoods such as South Hill have many older homes, and the city has a self-guided South Hill walking tour. The Heirloom Homes and Landmark Sites program recognizes owners who keep a historic home's character.
Do I need approval to change a historic home in Stillwater?
It depends on the property. The Downtown Commercial Historic District is the city's only designated historic district, and the city also has design review districts. If a home falls in one, exterior changes may need review. The Community Development Department at 651-430-8820 can tell you, and we check it with you before you buy.
What is the Stillwater Lift Bridge?
The Lift Bridge was built in 1931 and once carried Highway 36 over the St. Croix River to Houlton, Wisconsin. It is now part of a nearly five-mile bicycle and pedestrian loop trail that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin.
What parks and trails does Stillwater have?
Stillwater's parks include Lowell Park on the river, Lily Lake Park, Staples Field, and Northland Park, plus a fenced off-leash dog park and an outdoor skate park. Trails range from wood-chip paths to paved routes for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing.
Where can I skate or play pickleball in Stillwater?
The city offers outdoor skating rinks in winter at Bergmann Park, Lily Lake Park, Northland Park, the Old Athletic Field, and the St. Croix Rec Center. Pickleball courts are at Staples Park, Northland Park, and Lily Lake Park.
How do I check if a Stillwater home is in a flood zone?
Enter the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. Your lender also checks the flood zone before closing, and we look at it with you before you make an offer. This matters most for homes near the St. Croix River and Lily Lake.
How old is the Washington County Historic Courthouse?
The Historic Courthouse overlooking downtown Stillwater was completed in 1870. It is the oldest standing courthouse in Minnesota and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
How much do I need to buy a home in Stillwater?
Plan for earnest money, an inspection, your down payment, and closing costs. Down payments are often less than 20 percent, and some buyers qualify for assistance. A lender's Loan Estimate shows your expected cash to close.
Neighborhoods In Stillwater
- Downtown StillwaterLearn where Downtown Stillwater is, how its historic district works, the parks and Lift Bridge nearby, and how we help buyers and sellers.
- South HillLearn where Stillwater's South Hill is, the historic homes on its walking tour, the places nearby, and how we help buyers and sellers.
- North HillLearn where Stillwater's North Hill is, its history on the bluffs, Pioneer Park and the places nearby, and how we help buyers and sellers.
- Lily LakeLearn where Stillwater's Lily Lake area is, what Lily Lake Park offers, the area's brickmaking history, and how we help buyers and sellers.
Homes For Sale In Stillwater
See every home on the market in Stillwater right now, updated from the MLS.
Buying in Stillwater
The method
How we do it in Stillwater
Explore more of Bloomington
Ready to make your move with Lesley The Realtor?