If you have driven Highway 95 along the St. Croix River, you have passed through Bayport, probably without realizing it. That is part of its appeal. This small river town sits about one mile south of Stillwater, with the water on one side and an easygoing, walkable-scale community on the other. At the Carchedi Group, we often introduce our clients to Bayport when they want the St. Croix Valley lifestyle without the Stillwater price tag. Here is what we would tell a friend considering a move.
The Setting
Bayport grew from three small riverside settlements that merged into South Stillwater in 1873 and incorporated as a village in 1881. It took the name Bayport in 1922. Lumber built the town, with sawmills running from 1852 to 1916, and that industrial heritage still shows. Andersen Corporation, the window and door manufacturer, moved here in 1913 and remains headquartered in the city.
The 2020 census counted 4,024 residents. A meaningful share of that figure is inmates at the state prison, which sits within city limits, so the everyday neighborhood feel is quieter than the number suggests. Homes range from older river-town houses to newer neighborhoods, and there is lakefront and river-adjacent property for buyers who want it.
Riverfront Recreation and Community Life
The St. Croix is the main event. Bayport Marina, at 200 Fifth Avenue South, is a protected harbor on the river with seasonal and transient slips, a fuel dock and a heated pool. Lakeside Park gives residents beach and river access, and the city also lists Barker’s Alps Park, Perro Park and Village Green Park.
The community calendar is small-town in the best way. The city’s website highlights a Memorial Day parade and Derby Days, a weekend celebration hosted by the Bayport Community Action League with a duck derby, live music and fireworks over the river. For dining, shopping and a bigger events calendar, downtown Stillwater is a short drive away, which is exactly how many of our clients like it.
The Bayport Housing Market Right Now
Bayport is a very small market, so single months can swing. The latest Redfin city-level snapshot we could verify is from June 2026:
- Median sale price: $484,736, up 9.4% year over year
- Median days on market: 21 (49 fewer than a year earlier)
- Sale-to-list price: 102.1%
- Homes sold above list: 60.1%
- Homes sold: 15
- Price drops: not reported for the city
In plain English, well-priced Bayport homes were moving fast and often at or above asking. Fifteen sales is a thin sample, though. For context, Redfin’s figure for the 55003 ZIP code in July 2026 was a $530,882 median, but we would not read much into that month-to-month difference. Both point the same direction: competitive for well-presented homes. If you are buying, expect to move quickly and come prepared. If you are selling, pricing and preparation matter more than waiting for a perfect moment.
Schools
Bayport is part of the Stillwater Area Public Schools district. Niche gives the district an overall A, with enrollment of about 8,455 students, a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and a reported 92% graduation rate. State test proficiency is more moderate, at 61% in reading and 58% in math, so the district is strong, not flawless. The city is home to Andersen Elementary, and students feed into Oak-Land Junior High and Stillwater Area High School. St. Croix Catholic School and Salem Lutheran School offer private options, and charter schools including St. Croix Preparatory Academy are nearby. Confirm assigned schools for any address you are considering.
Taxes and Costs
Ownwell reports a median effective property tax rate of 0.95% in Bayport and a median annual bill of about $3,376, compared with 1.17% and $4,446 for Washington County overall. Bayport’s lower bill reflects its more modest home values. Your actual tax depends on your home’s assessed value, so ask us for the current numbers on any property.
The Commute
Highway 95 runs through town, and Stillwater, Highway 36 and the interstate network are minutes away. Actual drive times to downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis vary with traffic and destination, so we suggest test-driving your own route at rush hour.
Is Bayport Right for You?
Bayport fits buyers who want river access, a small-town pace and Stillwater schools at a price below much of the valley. It suits boaters, anglers and people who want to be near Stillwater without living in its busiest blocks. It may not fit those who want a large, walkable downtown within the city itself, a long list of restaurants within steps, or acreage and seclusion. The prison and industrial presence are part of the town’s character, and we are glad to talk through how that shows up block by block.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
Whether you are comparing river towns or ready to tour, we can help you understand which Bayport streets and price points make sense for your goals.
Thinking about Bayport? Get in touch with the Carchedi Group to start the conversation, or find out what your current home is worth if a move is on the table.
Market data: Redfin city page for Bayport (June 2026) and ZIP 55003 (July 2026). Taxes: Ownwell. Schools: Niche. Population: 2020 Census. Figures change monthly and are not a guarantee of future conditions.
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