Rice County, Minnesota

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,337 km² (516 mi²). 1,289 km² (498 mi²) of it is land and 48 km² (19 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.60% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 56,665 people, 18,888 households, and 13,353 families residing in the county. The population density is 44/km² (114/mi²). There are 20,061 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (40/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 93.59% White, 1.31% African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 5.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 18,888 households out of which 36.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% are married couples living together, 8.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% are non-families. 23.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.65 and the average family size is 3.14.

In the county the population is spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 15.80% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $48,651, and the median income for a family is $56,407. Males have a median income of $36,771 versus $26,151 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,695. 6.90% of the population and 4.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.70% are under the age of 18 and 10.70% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Bridgewater Township
• Cannon City Township
• Dundas
• Erin Township
• Faribault
• Forest Township
• Lonsdale
• Morristown Township
• Morristown
• Nerstrand
• Northfield Township
• Richland Township
• Shieldsville Township
• Walcott Township
• Warsaw Township
• Webster Township
• Wells Township
• Wheatland Township
• Wheeling Township