Living in Bayport, MN: River Town History, Parks & Daily Life

Bayport is a small Washington County city on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River, just south of Stillwater and Oak Park Heights. Its story runs through sawmills, boat building and the Andersen window company, and it is also the site of the state prison known as MCF–Stillwater, which state law and a 2026 state study describe as closing in phases.

This guide covers those topics using city, state and Metropolitan Council sources, plus a dated MLS snapshot. Because Bayport is small, its market figures rest on a limited number of sales, and the snapshot section explains why that matters. The guide does not rank neighborhoods, schools or businesses. For the property-oriented resource, use the Bayport neighborhood page; this article supplements that page rather than replacing it.

Bayport at a glance

Measure	Figure and source date
Population, 2020 Census	4,024 (2010: 3,471)
Households, 2020 Census	1,038 (2010: 855)
Location	Washington County, on the St. Croix River
MLS median sales price, All Property Types	$477,500; trailing 12 months through Oct 2026

Population and household counts come from the Metropolitan Council's summary of initial 2020 Census results. Census QuickFacts does not publish profiles for places under 5,000 people, so this guide uses the Metropolitan Council’s summary of 2020 Census counts and does not cite a Census median home value. The city's history page describes the 2020 population as approximately 4,000, "including a fluctuating population of up to 1,200 residents housed at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater, located within city limits." The two figures are quoted separately rather than reconciled, and the Census count of households is a different measure from population.

From three river settlements to Bayport

According to the city, Bayport began as three riverfront settlements: Baytown, Bangor and Middletown. In 1856, a group of lumbermen that included Socrates Nelson and David Loomis platted the area. The settlements merged in 1873 as the Village of South Stillwater, which incorporated in 1881. To avoid confusion with neighboring Stillwater, the name was changed to Bayport in 1922, and Bayport became a city in 1974.

The city's history page notes that Bayport had its first steam-powered sawmill by 1852, and that mills such as the Tozer Mill operated into the early 20th century. Boat builders here produced steamboats including the Pauline and the R.J. Wheeler. The St. Croix Lake Ice Company, established in 1903, shipped ice to regional packing houses, and a streetcar line once connected Bayport to Stillwater.

The Andersen Lumber Company, founded in 1897 and now Andersen Corporation, remains the community's largest employer, according to the city.

The Stillwater prison: history and the state's closure plan

Bayport's history is closely tied to the state prison that still carries Stillwater's name. Many people moving to or near Bayport ask about it, so this section sticks to what state sources say.

Origins. According to MNopedia, the Minnesota Historical Society's encyclopedia, Minnesota's Territorial Prison was built in Stillwater in 1853. Between 1912 and 1914 the prison moved south to its present site in what is now Bayport. MNopedia also notes the long-running inmate newspaper, the Prison Mirror, and that the facility has housed men since 1920.

The site today. A September 2026 decommissioning study prepared for the Legislature describes the Minnesota Correctional Facility–Stillwater as within Bayport's municipal boundaries and adjacent to Stillwater and Oak Park Heights. The study counts 56 buildings on about 107 acres, many built between 1910 and 1914 to designs by State Architect Clarence H. Johnston Sr. It describes the 28-foot perimeter wall and notes that the campus is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What the state has decided. The study explains that a May 23, 2025 law (2025 Laws, Chapter 35, House File 2432) included budget assumptions for closing the facility in phases, with full operations ending by June 30, 2029. As of Sept. 24, 2026, the study reported 470 incarcerated people and 231 full-time-equivalent staff at the facility. The study notes that the Bayport 2040 Comprehensive Plan designates the site as institutional, that the city's 2050 plan update is due in 2028, and that deciding what happens to the property may take longer than the June 2029 date.

This guide does not predict how the site will be reused or how that might affect any property. People living or working at the facility, and their families, are part of the community's story. Anyone with a specific question should read the study and follow the city's and the Department of Corrections' updates.

Parks, the river and getting outdoors

The city's parks page says Bayport has five public parks with both active and passive recreation, plus a public boat launch. The city highlights the beach house, picnic shelters, ballfields, trails and playgrounds, and it takes reservations for shelters and the beach house, with separate resident and non-resident fees. The city also posts a Park & Trail Guide with a walkability map dated May 21, 2026.

The St. Croix River is part of daily life here. The city's history page mentions boating, fishing and hiking along the river. Properties near the river and its bluffs can be subject to the shoreland and Lower St. Croix Riverway rules administered locally, so ask the city about setbacks, permits and floodplain mapping before planning any project.

The city's community resources page also links to a DNR Scientific and Natural Area, the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership, the Washington Conservation District and the Washington County Library system.

Community traditions

Two traditions feature on the city's history page. The Memorial Day Parade is organized by the Hesley Jensen Post 491 American Legion and ends with a ceremony at Hazelwood Cemetery. Derby Days, hosted by the Bayport Community Action League, is a weekend event with a duck derby, live music and fireworks over the river. Check the organizers for current dates.

The city's community page links to the Bayport Public Library. Its website lists phone and email contacts and posts holiday closings.

Growth and planning

Bayport has limited room to grow, so changes tend to arrive in small steps. In May 2026 the Metropolitan Council reviewed a Bayport comprehensive plan amendment for a development called Bayhaven 2nd. Under the amendment, 4.43 acres annexed from Baytown Township east of Stagecoach Trail (CSAH 21) and south of 5th Avenue North (CSAH 14) are re-guided to Low Density Residential, the Metropolitan Urban Service Area is extended to the site, and the plan accommodates 10 single-family villa homes and an outlot. The same amendment widens the city's density ranges: Low Density Residential goes from 1–8 to 1–11 units per acre, and High Density Residential from 8–43 to 11–43 units per acre.

The same review identifies the nearest regular transit as Metro Transit Route 294, a weekday peak-only express between Stillwater and downtown St. Paul, with a stop at Highway 36 and Osgood Avenue/4th Street in Oak Park Heights. Check Metro Transit for current schedules.

Bayport housing market

Bayport market snapshot — trailing 12 months through October 2026

InfoSparks area: Bayport (CITY). With All Property Types selected, the median sales price was $477,500 (-1.5% year over year), with 30 closed sales (+20.0%). Median days on market were 22 (-59.3%); months supply was 2.9 (-3.3%), as displayed in InfoSparks' October 2026, 12 Months view.

Separately reported closed-sale categories: Single-Family: 26 (+8.3%). Townhouse-Condo: 4 (+300.0%). These are reported categories, not shares of all sales; they should not be assumed to exhaust or reconcile to the total.

NorthstarMLS Matrix showed 8 active-only listings as of Nov 6, 2026 for the municipality. This count uses the Single Family search class, which includes multiple residential styles; it excludes Coming Soon, Pending and other statuses, as well as Lots/Land, Multi-Family, Commercial, Farm and Rental classes. It is not InfoSparks' “Homes for Sale” measure.

These figures summarize recorded activity for Bayport as a whole; they are not a prediction of future prices or a guarantee of how quickly a particular property will sell. Small-sample caution: with only 30 closed sales and 8 active-only listings, one or two transactions can move these numbers noticeably. The +300.0% Townhouse-Condo change reflects 4 sales (the percentage implies 1 sale a year earlier), and the 59.3% drop in median days on market is based on a small set of sales; neither should be read as a trend. Use comparable properties for an individual address.

Source: NorthstarMLS via InfoSparks, trailing 12 months through October 2026; active-only count from NorthstarMLS Matrix as of Nov 6, 2026. Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Local restaurants and everyday stops

Bayport's dining is concentrated near the riverfront and downtown. The places below were checked today on their own websites with a Bayport address, except where noted. Where a site did not show an address or was unavailable, the address comes from Google listing data, as noted in the source table. This is a short list because few food businesses could be verified inside city limits, and it is not ranked:

• Manger Restaurant and Wine Bar, 320 5th Avenue North — a restaurant and wine bar.
• Olio, 338 5th Avenue North — a restaurant listed as Italian that hosts multi-course wine dinners.
• Son's Deli, 110 3rd Street North — a neighborhood deli and sandwich shop that also offers catering.
• Not Justa Bar & Cafe, 177 3rd Street North — a bar and cafe (listing data; the business website did not load today).

Businesses change, and some are seasonal; confirm before visiting.

Schools: verify by address

The city's community page links to the Stillwater Area School District and Andersen-Bayport Elementary. The district's map page lists Bayport among the 18 communities it serves and notes that it is divided into elementary attendance boundaries. This guide does not compare or rank schools. Confirm the resident district and assigned school for the exact address with the district, because boundaries can change.

Questions to ask about a specific address

• Is the property in a shoreland, bluffland or floodplain area, and which riverway rules apply?
• Is the home served by city water and sewer?
• Is the property near the Bayhaven 2nd area or another planned project, and what do current city documents show?
• How might the facility's phased closure and future site planning be discussed in upcoming city plans? Read the study and city updates, not predictions.
• Is the property part of an association? What do the documents, budget and fees show?
• Which school district and attendance area apply, according to the district?
• If you plan to use the river, how do the public boat launch and any private dock or moorage rules affect access?

Frequently asked questions

How did Bayport get its name?

The city says the merged Village of South Stillwater changed its name to Bayport in 1922 to avoid confusion with neighboring Stillwater. It became a city in 1974. Bayport History.

Is the Stillwater prison in Bayport?

Yes. A September 2026 state decommissioning study places the Minnesota Correctional Facility–Stillwater within Bayport’s municipal boundaries. MNopedia says the prison moved there from Stillwater between 1912 and 1914. Decommissioning study.

Is the Stillwater prison closing?

A 2025 state law included budget assumptions for a phased closure, with full operations ending by June 30, 2029, according to the state’s September 2026 decommissioning study. The study says decisions about the property may take longer. Decommissioning study.

What parks does Bayport have?

The city says it has five public parks with a beach house, picnic shelters, ballfields, trails and playgrounds, plus a public boat launch on the St. Croix. Parks & Reservations.

What is the Bayhaven 2nd plan amendment?

In May 2026 the Metropolitan Council reviewed a Bayport amendment that re-guides 4.43 acres annexed from Baytown Township for 10 single-family villa homes and an outlot, and widens the city’s density ranges. Met Council business item.

What are the Bayport housing-market figures?

For the trailing 12 months through October 2026, All Property Types had a $477,500 median sales price (-1.5% year over year), 30 closed sales (+20.0%), 22 median days on market (-59.3%) and 2.9 months supply (-3.3%). Matrix showed 8 active-only listings as of Nov 6, 2026. With so few sales, these dated figures can swing widely and are not a forecast. See the snapshot above for filters and attribution. With 30 closed sales, the sample is small.

What is Bayport’s population?

The Metropolitan Council’s summary of the 2020 Census shows 4,024 people and 1,038 households. The city says the population is about 4,000, including up to 1,200 people housed at MCF–Stillwater. Met Council 2020 Census summary.

Is there public transit from Bayport?

The Metropolitan Council’s May 2026 review names Metro Transit Route 294, a weekday peak-only express between Stillwater and downtown St. Paul, as the nearest regular service, with a stop at Highway 36 and Osgood Avenue/4th Street in Oak Park Heights. Check Metro Transit for current schedules. Met Council business item.

What community events does Bayport hold?

The city highlights the Memorial Day Parade, organized by Hesley Jensen Post 491 American Legion and ending at Hazelwood Cemetery, and Derby Days, a Bayport Community Action League weekend with a duck derby, live music and fireworks over the river. Bayport History.

Which school district serves Bayport?

The city links to the Stillwater Area School District and Andersen-Bayport Elementary, and the district lists Bayport among the communities it serves. Confirm the assigned school for the exact address with the district. District map.

Talk through an address-specific plan

Bryce Schuenke, REALTOR®, eXp Realty; MN Broker #41012271 | WI Salesperson #88518; (651) 302-4812; Info@RealtorBryce.com; 20731 Holyoke Ave Ste 103, Lakeville, MN 55044; www.RealtorBryce.com.