A Town Built Around Its River
Stillwater is often referred to as the birthplace of Minnesota because of the territorial convention held here in 1848. Founded along a bend in the St. Croix River, the town grew up around the lumber industry in the 1800s, and much of that history is still visible today in the limestone and brick buildings that line downtown, along with the Stillwater Lift Bridge, now a pedestrian and bicycle crossing into Wisconsin as part of the Loop Trail.
What Types of Homes Will You Find in the Stillwater Area?
Stillwater and its surrounding communities offer one of the more varied housing markets in the east metro.
- Historic homes in the Historic Hill and South Hill neighborhoods close to downtown Stillwater, many dating to the 19th century, with original woodwork, wraparound porches, and detached carriage houses
- Newer construction on the west side of Stillwater, particularly in Liberty on the Lake, offering modern floor plans and energy efficient design
- Miller Farms, a newer neighborhood in Baytown Township with large wooded and wetland lots minutes from downtown, where much of the common land is permanently protected under a conservation easement
- Inspiration, a 250 acre conservation community in Bayport designed by ecologists, with 70 percent of the land preserved as restored prairie, wetland, and woodland
- River view properties along or near the St. Croix
- Acreage properties in Stillwater Township and Baytown Township for buyers wanting more land and privacy
Jason lives in Bayport and has personally sold homes in both Miller Farms and Inspiration, giving him direct, firsthand familiarity with these neighborhoods beyond what a listing description can offer.
Why Homeowners Are Drawn to Stillwater
Stillwater offers something increasingly hard to find close to the Twin Cities metro, a genuine small town feel with real walkability, without giving up easy access to Minneapolis and St. Paul. Homeowners are typically drawn to the area for a combination of reasons.
- A historic downtown with year round shops, restaurants, and events
- A strong mix of housing stock, from 19th century homes to newer construction and conservation focused communities
- Access to the St. Croix River and surrounding state and regional parks
- Stillwater Area Public Schools, one of the more highly regarded districts in the east metro
- A slower pace of life without a long commute to the Twin Cities core
The Greater Stillwater Area, ZIP Code 55082
The Stillwater ZIP code extends well beyond the city limits. The 55082 ZIP code includes Stillwater itself along with portions of Stillwater Township, Baytown Township, including the unincorporated community of Siegel, West Lakeland Township, May Township, Grant, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, and part of Lake Elmo. Just south along the river, Afton offers a very different, acreage focused alternative in the same valley.
Beyond the ZIP code, the Stillwater Area Public Schools district reaches even further, officially serving all or part of eighteen communities, including a section of northeast Woodbury. This means some Woodbury homeowners are zoned for Stillwater schools even though their address doesn’t say Stillwater.
Many buyers search online simply for “Stillwater homes,” even though they may ultimately purchase in Bayport, Oak Park Heights, Grant, or one of the surrounding townships. All of these communities share the same school district and much of the same market as Stillwater itself.
A Personal Connection to Stillwater
Stillwater is not just a market Jason works in, it is a town with personal history attached. Jason and his wife were married at Trinity Lutheran Church during Lumberjack Days weekend, with their reception held at what was then the Lumber Baron’s Hotel, the historic building in downtown Stillwater now known as the Water Street Inn. Jason continues to live nearby in Bayport today, giving him ongoing, firsthand familiarity with this market rather than secondhand knowledge of it.
Local Knowledge That Comes From Living Here
Real estate advice for Stillwater is more useful when it comes from someone who has actually lived in the area, not just sold homes in it. Jason has lived in Stillwater, Bayport, and throughout the surrounding east metro communities, giving him firsthand familiarity with the practical details that matter when buying or selling here, from well and septic systems in the surrounding townships to downtown parking considerations during the busy summer tourist season.
If you want to explore what makes Stillwater a destination beyond real estate, including its events, dining, and river activities, see our full guide to things to do in Stillwater.