A walkable, welcoming community on the St. Croix River
What was once three small settlements along the Saint Croix River is now the charming, bustling town of Bayport, just 30 miles east of Minneapolis in Washington County. A quaint historic downtown, multiple marinas and a robust calendar of community events make Bayport attractive to prospective homebuyers. “The school district is highly sought-after, plus you have all the great parks and water access in the area,” says resident and Realtor Sarah Deziel with BRIX Real Estate, who’s been selling homes in Bayport for the last decade. And it’s not just the schools that are in high demand: With less than 1,000 homes in the neighborhood, available properties are hard to come by and don’t stay on the market long. Buyers will find ramblers, split-level and Victorian styles, along with some new builds. Prices range from $270,000 to more than $680,000.
St. Croix Scenic Byway is the main road through Bayport.
Bayport Marina Association, offers a resort atmosphere with a calm protected harbor.
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Coveted homes and a competitive market
Potential buyers in Bayport should be aware the market is considered highly competitive. “I think a lot of people that grew up here don’t leave, which is one of the hard parts about trying to find a house here,” says Mayor Michele Hanson, who has lived in Bayport for 25 years. Inventory is low, with only a handful of properties for sale at a given time, and things move quickly. In January 2024, homes on the market in Bayport were sold in 24 days on average, compared to the 69-day national average. Along the city’s tree-shaded streets, buyers will primarily find single-family ramblers and split-levels built between the 1950s and 1970s for about $350,000. Older Victorian homes can be found in the mid-$200,000s. There are also newer subdivisions of custom-built homes starting at $600,000.
Victorian style homes can be found near Downtown Bayport.
One of the unique homes found in Bayport on the St. Croix River.
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Dine, shop and connect in historic downtown Bayport
In Bayport’s historic downtown, locally owned eateries and boutiques are nestled side by side. Smooth sidewalks, ample signage and a recent reduction of the speed limit on city streets make the six-block stretch easily accessible and safe for pedestrians. Mabel’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop is a hotspot for a scoop and conversation, while Not Justa Bar & Cafe is a casual option known for its top-notch Bloody Marys and breakfast all day. For date night, French-inspired eatery Manger Restaurant & Wine Bar offers a seasonally shifting menu and an oyster bar. Grocery and big-box shopping is done in Stillwater where there’s a Cub and Kowalski’s Markets.
Mabel’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop is a locally owned hotspot in Bayport.
Manger Restaurant & Wine Bar offers a fine dining experience in downtown Bayport.
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Derby Days and December nights
Volunteer organizations here bring residents together through community events year-round. September’s Derby Days feature duck races, family games, and fireworks. The Lighting of the Green at Village Green Park officially kicks off the holiday season every year. “The town strings Christmas lights through the village and there’s hot cocoa and a bonfire,” says Deziel, who’s also the president of the Bayport Community Action League. “Kids are throwing snowballs; adults are socializing and then Santa rolls in on a fire truck,” Deziel says.
There is plenty to climb on the playground at Lakeside Park in Bayport.
Perro Creek Park is just across the street from Anderson Elementary School.
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Highly sought-after Stillwater schools
Children in Bayport can attend Andersen Elementary School before moving on to Oak-Land Middle School. Both schools receive B grades from Niche. Older students can attend the A-minus-rated Stillwater Area High School. Big changes are on the horizon for Bayport area students following a referendum in 2023. Voters approved plans to build a new Andersen Elementary (set to open for students in Fall 2026), expand Oak-Land Middle, and improve safety and security at Stillwater Area High. Another option for students is the A-rated St. Croix Preparatory Academy, the fourth-best charter high school in Minnesota.
Andersen Elementary School is the only school within Bayport’s borders.
Stillwater Area High Schoolin Oak Park Heights serves as the primary high school for the Stillwater Area Public School District.
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Swimming, sailing and ice skating
Being river-adjacent, outdoor recreation is a way of life in Bayport. Boats of all shapes and sizes line the main wharves at the Bayport Marina Association, offering a resort atmosphere with a calm, protected harbor and premier amenities like a heated pool and tennis courts. Comparatively tranquil, River Park Marina offers privacy and a quiet environment. At Lakeside Park, there’s a playground, picnic shelters, and a sandy beach. Downtown, Perro Park’s “Legion Field” is where neighbors come together for ice skating and hockey games.
Spend the day at the Lakeside Park enjoying the views and watching the boats go by.
When the river freezes over, fishing enthusiasts brave the ice and cold at Lakeside Park.
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Private transport required
Without public transit, most residents drive to get around Bayport. The town sits a little over 3 miles south of Stillwater, 22 miles from St. Paul, and 30 miles east of Minneapolis and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The St. Croix Scenic Byway provides easy access to Interstate 95 and Highway 36.
Quaint and walkable, Bayport’s historic downtown stretches about six blocks.
There are pockets of newly constructed homes found in Bayport
On average, homes in Bayport, MN sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Bayport, MN over the last 12 months is $407,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Cheryl is an expert real estate agent and team leader with eXp Realty in Stillwater, MN and the nearby area, in both MN and WI, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
