About Stillwater
Stillwater is one of the most charming river towns in the Midwest. Perched on the bluffs of the St. Croix River, it offers historic downtown shopping, waterfront dining, scenic overlooks, and a vibrant community calendar — all roughly 30 minutes from downtown St. Paul.
Whether you are researching a move to the area, curious about a specific neighborhood, or just want to know more about the community, this guide covers the essentials — schools, lifestyle, and what makes Stillwater distinct from its neighbors.
Stillwater by the Numbers
19,394
Population
2020 U.S. Census
~$475,000
Median home price
Redfin/Zillow market data, mid-2026; approximate
~$250
Price per sq ft
Redfin/Zillow market data, mid-2026; approximate
~22 days
Average days on market
Redfin market data, mid-2026; approximate
Stillwater, the oldest town on the St. Croix, anchors the valley's western bluffs roughly 20 miles northeast of downtown St. Paul. Market figures are approximate: local sales volumes are small, prices vary widely, and list prices often run higher than the median. Population figure from the 2020 U.S. Census.
Over the past year, Stillwater homes averaged about 2% above asking price and Lake Elmo about 2% below; Mahtomedi and Grant close too few sales to quote a reliable sale-to-list figure. Approximate market data, mid-2026.
Which Communities Provide Access to the St. Croix River?
Just about every town on the valley wall. On the Minnesota side, Stillwater, Bayport, Afton, and Marine on St. Croix all sit on the river or its bluff line with public parks, boat ramps, and marinas. Across the water, Hudson, Wisconsin, is the biggest Wisconsin-side town, with its own riverfront downtown, and Houlton sits just opposite Stillwater. For boaters, the St. Croix below Stillwater is the most developed stretch, while the upper river between Marine and Taylor Falls stays wilder and is a designated National Scenic Riverway. Read the full St. Croix River guide for the river town-by-town breakdown.
"Stillwater is really two towns: a river town and a bluff town. The downtown belongs to the water, and the hills behind it are where the neighborhoods live. In the fall the valley is one of the best drives in Minnesota, and the kids who grow up on those bluffs keep coming back."
Melissa A Johnson, Minnesota & Wisconsin Realtor
See also: Forest Lake · Mahtomedi · White Bear Lake
Civic watch: Stillwater's Flock cameras
The city's automatic license-plate readers have residents and visitors asking questions. Our guide covers how many cameras Stillwater operates, what the data is used for, how long it is kept, and who can access it: Why Does Stillwater Have Flock Cameras? What Residents and Visitors Should Know.
On the horizon: A new hospital for the St. Croix Valley
HealthPartners is building a new Lakeview Hospital and specialty-care campus near Highway 36 and Manning Avenue in Stillwater, expected to open in early 2028. Our guide looks at what the project could mean for jobs, housing, development, and traffic across the St. Croix Valley and the nearby communities: A New $400 Million Hospital Is Coming to the St. Croix Valley. What Could It Change?.
Stillwater FAQ
Honest, straight answers to the questions people ask most when they are researching a move to Stillwater. No spin, just what living here is actually like.
Is Stillwater a good place to live?
For a lot of people, yes. You get a walkable historic downtown on the St. Croix, river bluffs and outdoor recreation minutes from home, highly regarded Stillwater Area Public Schools (ISD 834), and signature events like the Hot Air Balloon Festival and Lumberjack Days. The honest tradeoffs are higher home prices than many metro suburbs (median roughly $475,000 in mid-2026, approximate), summer tourist crowds downtown, and a longer drive to Minneapolis. Whether it fits depends on what you value most.
How long is the commute from Stillwater?
Plan on about 25 minutes to downtown St. Paul via Highway 36, and 35 to 45 minutes to downtown Minneapolis depending on the time of day. Highway congestion peaks on weekday mornings and evenings, so the drive stretches at rush hour. Our moving to Stillwater guide has the full breakdown.
What are the schools like?
Stillwater Area Public Schools (ISD 834) serves Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Lake Elmo, and surrounding areas. The district is a common draw for families moving to the area and covers a large slice of the St. Croix Valley. Attendance boundaries and programs shift year to year, so check the district website for current specifics.
What is downtown Stillwater like?
Downtown is a historic main street running along the St. Croix, lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, riverfront parks, and year-round events. It is genuinely popular with visitors, especially on weekends, which brings energy and also crowds. If you live here, you learn the quieter weekday hours and the town's seasonal rhythm.
How does Stillwater compare to White Bear Lake or Mahtomedi?
Stillwater is the historic river town, with tourism and the largest downtown of the three. White Bear Lake has the big lake, more retail, and a shorter commute to the metro, while Mahtomedi is the smaller village with lake living and a close community feel. Each has its own personality, so it helps to visit all three before you decide. See our White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi guides for the full picture.
Are property taxes high in Stillwater?
Washington County sets the property tax levy, and what you pay varies with your home's value and your school district. Stillwater sits in ISD 834, which is one factor in the total bill. The honest answer is that taxes are neither uniformly high nor low, so the number depends entirely on the specific property.
Stillwater vs. Neighboring Communities
How four communities in the same corner of the metro stack up on the things movers actually ask about. Median prices are approximate mid-2026 figures from Redfin and Zillow; local sales volumes are small, so treat them as a range rather than a precise number.
Stillwater
- Vibe
- Historic river town with a lively downtown, tourism, and bluff-top neighborhoods.
- Commute to St. Paul
- About 25 minutes via Highway 36.
- Median home price
- Roughly $475,000 (approximate, mid-2026)
- Suits best
- People who want a walkable historic downtown and don't mind visitors.
White Bear Lake
- Vibe
- Big-lake town with more retail, a village-like downtown, and a family feel.
- Commute to St. Paul
- About 15 to 20 minutes.
- Median home price
- Roughly $400,000 (approximate, mid-2026)
- Suits best
- Lake lovers who want the largest lake and the shortest metro commute.
Mahtomedi
- Vibe
- Small lake village wrapped around Long Lake with a close community feel.
- Commute to St. Paul
- About 20 to 25 minutes.
- Median home price
- Roughly $425,000 (approximate, mid-2026)
- Suits best
- Families who want a tight-knit lake town with a personal school district.
Lake Elmo
- Vibe
- Quiet, semirural township with acre lots, parks, and room to spread out.
- Commute to St. Paul
- A manageable metro commute.
- Median home price
- Roughly $500,000 (approximate, mid-2026)
- Suits best
- Buyers who value space, privacy, and semirural character over a downtown.
Median prices are approximate mid-2026 figures from Redfin and Zillow. Local sales volumes are small and prices vary widely, so treat these as a general range, not a precise number.
Cost of Living, Schools & Commute
Cost of living
Stillwater housing runs moderate to high for the metro, with waterfront and bluff-top properties commanding premiums. See the full breakdown in the moving to Stillwater guide.
Commute
About 25 minutes to downtown St. Paul via Highway 36, and 35 to 45 minutes to Minneapolis depending on traffic. Details in the moving to Stillwater guide.
Schools
Stillwater Area Public Schools (ISD 834) serves Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Lake Elmo, and surrounding areas. Neighborhood-by-neighborhood notes live in the Stillwater neighborhoods guide.
Browse Stillwater Homes for Sale
Pemberton Realty's MLS search covers current Stillwater-area listings, straight from the Northstar MLS.
Thinking about Stillwater?
Whether you are looking for a home, selling, or just curious — reach out. We know this community inside and out.