Cottage Grove sits on the north bank of the Mississippi River in Washington County, roughly eight to eleven miles southeast of St. Paul (sources vary). With about 41,000 residents (41,033 in a 2022 estimate), it is a good-sized east-metro suburb with a mix of established neighborhoods and newer subdivisions, and its prices are generally lower than the neighboring cities of Woodbury and Mahtomedi. This is how we describe life here to our clients.
The Setting
Cottage Grove was founded in 1843 and platted in 1871, beginning as a rural township known for creameries and wheat. Today it borders Woodbury, Hastings, St. Paul Park and Newport and is only about five miles from the Wisconsin border. The 3M manufacturing facility, which has operated here since 1947, is a longtime employer. Historic landmarks include the Cordenio Severance House (1917), the Grey Cloud Lime Kiln (1850) and the John P. Furber House (1871), all on the National Register.
Parks, Dining and Community
Ravine Regional Park is the crown jewel: 515 acres of woods, hills and prairie, open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (a vehicle permit is required). Closer to home, there are neighborhood parks such as Highland Park with its splash pad, the 18-hole River Oaks municipal golf course and an 18-hole disc golf course at Oak Wood Park.
Strawberry Fest, held at Kingston Park usually the second week of June, is the big community tradition, with a parade, fireworks, carnival rides and food. Cottage Grove has more of a suburban, practical feel than a walkable downtown, so many residents head to Woodbury, St. Paul Park or Hastings for variety.
The Cottage Grove Housing Market Right Now
Here is the market as of August 2026, per Redfin:
- Median sale price: $404,732, down 0.48% from a year ago
- Median days on market: 26, unchanged
- Sale-to-list price ratio: 100.6%
- Homes sold above list price: 44.0%, up 11 points
- Homes with price drops: 36.5%, up 4.3 points
- Homes sold in August: 221, up 7.1%
The takeaway is that Cottage Grove prices are flat, but demand is solid. Nearly half of homes sold above asking, which shows buyers are active at this price point, and sales volume is up. At the same time, more than a third of homes saw price cuts. The market is competitive for well-priced homes and less forgiving for overpriced ones. For buyers, that means moving quickly on the right house while staying disciplined about price. For sellers, the first price matters a lot.
Schools
Cottage Grove is part of South Washington County Schools (District 833). Niche rates the district A- overall with an A- in academics. Enrollment is about 19,578 students district-wide, and 2024-25 state test proficiency was 54% in reading and 52% in math. That is moderate and below some neighboring districts, so we encourage families to look at school-level data rather than the district average. Cottage Grove students attend Park High School or East Ridge High School, and the city has Cottage Grove Middle School, Oltman Middle School and six elementary schools.
Taxes and Costs
Ownwell reports a median effective property tax rate of about 1.27% for ZIP 55016 (Cottage Grove), above the Minnesota median of 1.13%, and a median annual bill of $4,364, with the middle half of bills falling between roughly $3,554 and $5,618. That Ownwell data uses a median home value of $344,700, lower than today’s median sale price, so bills on a recently purchased home may be higher. We can look up exact taxes and recent changes for any address.
The Commute
Cottage Grove is accessed by U.S. Highway 61, with Interstate 494 connecting to I-94 and the rest of the metro. St. Paul is roughly eight to eleven miles away. Public transit is very limited, so most residents rely on a car. As always, drive your intended route during rush hour before you commit.
Is Cottage Grove Right for You?
Cottage Grove fits buyers who want more home for the money than they would find in Woodbury or Mahtomedi, easy access to regional parkland and a family-oriented suburban lifestyle with quick highway access. It can also work well for first-time buyers stepping into the east metro.
It may be less suitable if you want a walkable downtown, top-tier test scores or a lake-community atmosphere. And with property taxes above the state median, it pays to budget for the full cost of ownership.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
If you are considering Cottage Grove, we can walk you through neighborhoods, new construction options and what your budget really buys.
Thinking about Cottage Grove? 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 from Redfin as of August 2026; school data from Niche (2024-25 test results); tax estimates from Ownwell; population from the 2020 U.S. Census and a 2022 estimate. Figures change frequently and are provided for general information only.
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