Stillwater

About Stillwater

Stillwater is a small city on the upper banks of the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota. Part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area, Stillwater lies 20 miles west of the Wisconsin border. The city enjoys scenic views of the St. Croix River, and has been voted among the most picturesque small towns in the country.

Stillwater, Past and Present

Stillwater is considered the birthplace of Minnesota because the first territorial convention, the first step on Minnesota's journey to statehood, was held in the city in 1848. Stillwater's lumber industry put the city on the map, and this sector continues to be a force today. Stillwater is also one of Minnesota's oldest towns. Its historic Main Street pays tribute to its heritage, while more contemporary amenities like restaurants and owner-operated retail outlets have helped add some modern flair.

When Stillwater was incorporated in 1854, it was Minnesota's largest city. Today, it's a fairly small city, but one that has been growing steadily for decades. Residents and visitors enjoy easy access to a host of city amenities, including museums, art galleries, historical sites, boutique shopping and a variety of local eateries.

The Stillwater Economy

The Stillwater Lumber Co., one of the United States' largest lumber mills, has remained a powerful force in the Stillwater economy. Cub Foods, DiaSorin and stationery firm Gartner Studios are also headquartered in Stillwater. The most popular jobs in Stillwater are in sales, office and administrative support roles, followed closely by management, business and finance positions.

Stillwater's unemployment rate is significantly lower than the U.S. average, and job growth is above average. This is good news for anyone looking for a job in the area.

Stillwater Schools

Stillwater Area Public Schools oversees the public schools of Stillwater. It was established in 1850, making it Minnesota's first and oldest school district. In addition to its traditional schools, the district has an early childhood family center, a preschool, an alternative learning center and a transition program to help disabled young adults transition from school into the workforce. You'll also find a few private and charter schools in the area.

Resources for Moving to Stillwater

Here are a few useful resources to help you plan your move to Stillwater:

• Utilities: The city of Stillwater oversees public water and sewer services. Xcel Energy serves Stillwater and much of the surrounding area.
• Garbage and Recycling: Waste Management provides residential trash collection services, and you can contact them directly to set up your account. Trash is collected weekly, while recyclables are picked up every other week.
• Transportation: Metro Transit operates public transit routes through Stillwater, as well as most of the communities in the Twin Cities metro area.

Stillwater Housing

Since Stillwater is a historical city, nearly a quarter of its dwellings were built before the 1940s. Recent population growth fueled a new housing boom at the start of the 21st century, so a considerable number of homes here were built in the year 2000 or later. On average, you can expect to pay more for a home in Stillwater than in many other Twin Cities communities, and the city's median home price is also higher than the national average.