Washington County
Welcome to Washington County! Find Your Place Here.
Washington County real estate provides residents’ access to the stunning St. Croix River Valley, amazing parks, historic towns, and more. Home to Stillwater, Afton, and located just across the river from Hudson, Wisconsin, the area is known for fantastic shopping, skiing, boating, amazing eateries, unique shopping experiences and more.
With beautiful homes, outstanding school districts, and close proximity to the Twin Cities, there’s a lot to love. Browse our listings of homes for sale in Washington County and find your perfect place today.
Washington County is situated on a beautiful stretch of land bordering the St. Croix River. The area is home to several state and regional parks including Afton State Park, William O’Brien State Park, Big Marina Park Reserve, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and more. These parks and trails provide ample opportunities for residents to bike, hike, boat, fish, swim, camp, and participate in just about any outdoor recreational activity you can think of. The County also provides indoor facilities including banquet halls and the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.
If you love shopping, you’ll love Washington County. The county offers everything from high-end outlets in Woodbury, to unique shops and boutiques in Stillwater, and everything in between. There are also large commercial centers in Forest Lake, Lakeland, and Cottage Grove. No matter what you’re looking to buy, you’ll find it in Washington County.
The dining scene in Washington County has everything from a Jamaican Pirate Bar, to Japanese-fusion cuisine, to American classics and everything in between. Stillwater is home to eclectic eateries like Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque and Pirate Bar, Shanghai Bistro, The Freight House, and more; while Lake Elmo offers the Lake Elmo Inn, serving up high-end eats and a fabulous brunch. Other County favorites include the Current Restaurant in Afton, The Tavern Grill in Woodbury, and so many more!
Sustainability is extremely important to Washington County residents and officials. The county has taken great pains to reduce its energy usage dealing with internal operations while promoting green practice throughout county businesses and residences. Washington County is currently pursuing the following initiatives:
- Green Purchasing: environmentally friendly products and equipment.
- Sustainable Buildings: following Minnesota Sustainable Building Design Guidelines when constructing any new facilities.
- Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Processing: reducing materials use within county operations wherever possible.
The following school districts are located within the boundaries of Washington County:
- East Metro Integrated District #6067
- Hastings Public Schools #200
- Chisago Lakes Area Schools #2144
- North St. Paul-Oakdale-Maplewood Area Public Schools #624
- Forest Lake Area Schools #831
- Mahtomedi Public Schools #832
- South Washington County Schools #833
- Stillwater Area Schools #834
- Northeast Metro #916
Washington County has a variety of public transportation resources to meet the needs of its residents. Metro Transit provides express and local set bus routes in parts of the county, while Metro Transit’s Metro Mobility as well as Transit Link offer Dial-a-Ride services for the general public in addition to specific services for disabled riders.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners is responsible for administrative oversight of the county’s budgets and operations. The board consists of five members, each elected by their respective districts within the county.
Created in October 27th, 1849, Washington County is one of Minnesota’s original nine counties. Because of the county’s diverse and plentiful resources, the population grew steadily, and provided commercial, agricultural, and industrial support to the Twin Cities throughout the area’s history. The county’s distinct terrain and beautiful natural resources continue to draw residents in. Today, Washington County is the fifth-most populous county in Minnesota with 247,000 residents.
Washington County is situated on a beautiful stretch of land bordering the St. Croix River. The area is home to several state and regional parks including Afton State Park, William O’Brien State Park, Big Marina Park Reserve, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and more. These parks and trails provide ample opportunities for residents to bike, hike, boat, fish, swim, camp, and participate in just about any outdoor recreational activity you can think of. The County also provides indoor facilities including banquet halls and the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.
If you love shopping, you’ll love Washington County. The county offers everything from high-end outlets in Woodbury, to unique shops and boutiques in Stillwater, and everything in between. There are also large commercial centers in Forest Lake, Lakeland, and Cottage Grove. No matter what you’re looking to buy, you’ll find it in Washington County.
The dining scene in Washington County has everything from a Jamaican Pirate Bar, to Japanese-fusion cuisine, to American classics and everything in between. Stillwater is home to eclectic eateries like Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque and Pirate Bar, Shanghai Bistro, The Freight House, and more; while Lake Elmo offers the Lake Elmo Inn, serving up high-end eats and a fabulous brunch. Other County favorites include the Current Restaurant in Afton, The Tavern Grill in Woodbury, and so many more!
Sustainability is extremely important to Washington County residents and officials. The county has taken great pains to reduce its energy usage dealing with internal operations while promoting green practice throughout county businesses and residences. Washington County is currently pursuing the following initiatives:
- Green Purchasing: environmentally friendly products and equipment.
- Sustainable Buildings: following Minnesota Sustainable Building Design Guidelines when constructing any new facilities.
- Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Processing: reducing materials use within county operations wherever possible.
The following school districts are located within the boundaries of Washington County:
- East Metro Integrated District #6067
- Hastings Public Schools #200
- Chisago Lakes Area Schools #2144
- North St. Paul-Oakdale-Maplewood Area Public Schools #624
- Forest Lake Area Schools #831
- Mahtomedi Public Schools #832
- South Washington County Schools #833
- Stillwater Area Schools #834
- Northeast Metro #916
Washington County has a variety of public transportation resources to meet the needs of its residents. Metro Transit provides express and local set bus routes in parts of the county, while Metro Transit’s Metro Mobility as well as Transit Link offer Dial-a-Ride services for the general public in addition to specific services for disabled riders.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners is responsible for administrative oversight of the county’s budgets and operations. The board consists of five members, each elected by their respective districts within the county.
Created in October 27th, 1849, Washington County is one of Minnesota’s original nine counties. Because of the county’s diverse and plentiful resources, the population grew steadily, and provided commercial, agricultural, and industrial support to the Twin Cities throughout the area’s history. The county’s distinct terrain and beautiful natural resources continue to draw residents in. Today, Washington County is the fifth-most populous county in Minnesota with 247,000 residents.
