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Stillwater

Stillwater

Located in Washington County

$495,886 Average Value
$246 Average Price per Sq Ft
90 Homes For Sale

Stillwater has a historic downtown on the St. Croix River

On the banks of the Saint Croix River is Stillwater, a small city that found its start as a lumber town in 1854. Its rich history is displayed on every street, from Victorian-era homes to a downtown district that locals and tourists spend hours in, and there are plenty of city parks and community events to look forward to. Downtown is walkable, and easy highway access means you can reach the Twin Cities in about 25 miles.

Stillwater's charming downtown is full of historic buildings and character.
Stillwater's charming downtown is full of historic buildings and character.
The giant pumpkin weigh-off takes place at the Stillwater Harvest Fest.
The giant pumpkin weigh-off takes place at the Stillwater Harvest Fest.
People in Stillwater brave the cold to get their steps in along the St. Croix River.
People in Stillwater brave the cold to get their steps in along the St. Croix River.
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Homes dating back to the 1800s close to the city center

Stillwater’s rich history is reflected in its housing, which dates back to the late 1800s, during the era of lumber barons. “Those gentlemen created stunning mansions for themselves, but that wealth trickles through the community,” says Kelly Nygaard, president of Discover Stillwater. “And we have a lot of really stunning architecture, particularly Victorian homes.” These include colorful American Foursquares and Queen Annes. “People have been really mindful to be good stewards of those properties,” Nygaard says. As you move farther out, you’ll find more mid-20th-century properties, like ranch-style houses, and the occasional new construction. There are also plenty of townhouses and condos, which started popping up in the 1970s.

The median single-family price is higher in Stillwater than in the Twin Cities and in the neighboring Oak Park Heights. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a single-family home, condo or townhouse, you can expect to pay between the mid-$200,000s and the mid-$800,000s. Larger properties, especially those along the river, can be a little more expensive, costing up to $1.5 million.

Queen Anne homes, with their generous accents, are easy to spot downtown.
Queen Anne homes, with their generous accents, are easy to spot downtown.
Modern condos with amazing river views are a new addition to Downtown Stillwater.
Modern condos with amazing river views are a new addition to Downtown Stillwater.
Foursquare homes from the early 1900s are common throughout the city.
Foursquare homes from the early 1900s are common throughout the city.
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Historic downtown has boutiques, art and restaurants

Downtown Stillwater is the heart of the city and is a “beautiful historic downtown right along the riverfront,” Nygaard says. You can ride the Stillwater Trolley to admire the architecture while learning about local folklore, view the murals at Union Art Alley or shop at local boutiques. The city is also known for its food scene, with restaurants, bars and cafes like:

  • Nacho Mama’s, a Mexican restaurant with generous portions
  • The Lumberjack, a sports bar with axe-throwing and classic games
  • The Wild Hare, a twist on the classic dive bar with organic ingredients
  • Nelson’s Ice Cream, a local favorite that is open from March through October
You can find grocery stores and chain restaurants near Highway 36, and there are several other local spots throughout the city.

Leo's Grill & Malt Shop offers burgers and ice cream with a retro vibe.
Leo's Grill & Malt Shop offers burgers and ice cream with a retro vibe.
Cub Foods is a popular grocer in the Stillwater Marketplace shopping center.
Cub Foods is a popular grocer in the Stillwater Marketplace shopping center.
The Main Cafe has been serving delicious food to Stillwater since 1989.
The Main Cafe has been serving delicious food to Stillwater since 1989.
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Popular events include the Stillwater Harvest Fest

Tourists and locals alike look forward to Stillwater events. “There’s a lot of great festivals and events, and the farmers market is always thriving,” Nygaard says. The farmers market is every other Saturday morning from June through October. Every October, people come over for Stillwater Harvest Fest, a Giant Pumpkin Festival with programming like a pumpkin weigh-off and a pumpkin drop. “You feel the earth shake,” Nygaard says. “And then the children run in trying to get the giant pumpkin seeds.” The city is also home to the World Snow Celebration, where artists from around the world compete in live snow sculpting.

A snow sculpture by Team Mongolia took first place at the Stillwater World Snow Celebration.
A snow sculpture by Team Mongolia took first place at the Stillwater World Snow Celebration.
Attendees enjoy the music at the performance stage at the Stillwater Harvest Fest.
Attendees enjoy the music at the performance stage at the Stillwater Harvest Fest.
Stillwater Harvest Fest takes place along the St. Croix River.
Stillwater Harvest Fest takes place along the St. Croix River.
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Most students attend highly rated Stillwater Area Public Schools

Homes are zoned for the highly rated Stillwater Area Public School District, the oldest district in Minnesota. School choice is available through open enrollment and in-district transfers. Families can also send their kids to New Heights School, a tuition-free public charter that serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Private options include St. Croix Catholic School.

Students can attend Salem Lutheran School.
Students can attend Salem Lutheran School.
Stillwater Middle School is a highly ranked middle school.
Stillwater Middle School is a highly ranked middle school.
Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights is the primary high school for the district.
Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights is the primary high school for the district.
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Locals spend time on the St. Croix River and at local parks

The Saint Croix River flows next to the city, where people kayak, boat and fish. There are several public docks and marinas, as well as boat access points under the Saint Croix Crossing Bridge and the Saint Croix Boom Site, the latter of which also has a hiking trail. “That’s a really stunning area,” Nygaard says. City parks also offer plenty of options to get outdoors. You can:

  • Have a picnic overlooking the river at Pioneer Park
  • Bring your kids to the playground at Teddy Bear Park
  • Play fetch with your dog at Stillwater Dog Park
  • Play baseball or pickleball at Lily Lake Park
“I don’t think it necessarily gets shared a lot, but we have fantastic biking,” Nygaard says. She highlights the Loop Trail, a 5-mile loop that crosses the Stillwater Lift Bridge into Houlton, Wisconsin, and is open to pedestrians and cyclists. “There are constantly people out strolling...and it’s incredibly dog-friendly,” Nygaard says. People head to the Saint Croix Valley Recreation Center for indoor ice-skating and open hockey.

The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center features an indoor hockey rink.
The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center features an indoor hockey rink.
The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center has a dome for year-round summer sports.
The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center has a dome for year-round summer sports.
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A walkable downtown and highway access make it easy to get around

Downtown and the surrounding areas are extremely walkable. “I know there are a lot of people who can bike or walk to work and do utilize that, myself included,” Nygaard says. The rest of the city is more car-dependent, and Highway 36 and the Saint Croix Scenic Byway make it easy to get around. You are about 20 miles (30 minutes) from downtown Saint Paul and 25 miles (35 minutes) from downtown Minneapolis. Metro Transit buses also stop in the city.

Zia Sampson
Written By
Zia Sampson
Brandon Rowell
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Rowell
Mary Desmond
Video By
Mary Desmond

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
11,837
Number of Homes for Sale
90
Median Year Built
1984
Months of Supply
2.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,134
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,662
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,235
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
820
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Open Houses

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Stillwater Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
14
Median Rent
$2,522
Median Single Family Home Rent
$4,100
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,682
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,423
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$2,495
Median Condo Rent
$2,245
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,298

Demographics

Total Population
20,104
Median Age
44
Population under 18
23.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$108,463
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$131,790

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
50.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.7%
% Population in Labor Force
71%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
3°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
29''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

40 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

20 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Stillwater
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