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Talk at the Main Café just a decade ago would have been about the harvest and what to do about the ice shacks down by the railroad bridge. Today, it’s more likely to be discussion about whether the new bridge is going to be built. Or perhaps even a debate about whether the booming housing market will continue to flourish.
Population and Housing
The population of Stillwater has increased over 31% since 1990, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why. Stillwater is located in Washington County, one of Minnesota’s wealthiest, most educated counties. It supports a median household income of around $64,000 for a typical household of three. Stillwater’s population of 16,000 enjoys an enviable lifestyle. And with over $41,800,000 in residential construction permits in 2000, it doesn’t look like it’s a secret. Median housing values according to year 2000 realtor reports suggest affordable housing prices for right around $135,000. However, a closer look at listings reveals that there are only a few homes at this low price. As in other areas where the economy has created a tight housing market, there is concern about affordable living space for fixed-income residents. Many retail and service industry employees live in Wisconsin and commute into Stillwater.
Industry
While it’s true that you see the occasional ostentatious luxury yacht on the St. Croix River, this is about the only outward indication that Stillwater is anything other than a friendly, tourist-driven river town.
Service and retail businesses have grown over the past decade and continue on their upward climb as not only Stillwater but the Minnesota economy becomes more geared toward this sector.
Schools
 The local school system includes public and parochial schools, a charter school, and is the envy of other districts. Eighty percent of the graduates attend post-secondary schools in a state where the average is 65%.
State Parks
Stillwater manages 222 acres of park land in an effort to ensure green space and a midwestern outdoor quality of life. William O’Brien, Interstate, and Willow River State Parks are all an easy drive from downtown. On a similar latitude as France’s Bordeaux region (45 degrees N), this area tends to have a reasonable climate with average annual snowfall of 42", 24" of rain, and 14 days of temperatures above 90 degrees F.
Political Environment
Minnesota is generally a Democratic/Independent state (home to Jesse Ventura, after all). However, Stillwater is now leaning slightly toward the Republican fence with a 2% lead among 76.8% of registered voters in the 2000 presidential election.
Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley will certainly continue to flourish well into this century. The proximity to both the vibrant Twin Cities metro area with it’s access to great cultural venues, the 12th busiest airport in the world and the rural countryside right outside the city’s borders almost guarantee as much.
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