Rice County, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 14th-largest in Minnesota
The population of Rice County, Minnesota is 67,389 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 14th-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $82,792, the median home value is $298,500, and the median age is 37.1.
The population of Rice County has grown 7.5% since 2010 (64,231 → 69,025), a +0.52% annualized rate.
67,389
Population
+0.52%
Annual growth
136
People / sq mi
$82,792
Median Income
$298,500
Median Home Value
Rice County covers 496 sq mi of land at 135.9 people per square mile.
About Rice County, MN
What sets Rice County apart is money: median household income runs $82,792, above the US median of $78,538. With 67,389 residents, Rice County is a county in Minnesota. It ranks #14 among counties in Minnesota by population.
Households take in a median $82,792, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. Only 5.9% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $298,500, with typical rent around $1,046.
College attainment is above the local norm at 29.7%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 12.8%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.
Taken together, the income and housing figures place Rice County firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US counties — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.
Rice County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Rice County had a population of 64,231 in 2010 and 69,025 in 2024, a 7.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 69,025 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.52%.
69,025
Population (2024)
64,231
Population (2010)
69,025
Peak (2024)
0.52%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 64,231 |
| 2011 | 64,458 |
| 2012 | 64,438 |
| 2013 | 64,645 |
| 2014 | 65,002 |
| 2015 | 65,336 |
| 2016 | 65,862 |
| 2017 | 66,199 |
| 2018 | 66,583 |
| 2019 | 67,016 |
| 2020 | 67,100 |
| 2021 | 67,344 |
| 2022 | 67,696 |
| 2023 | 68,420 |
| 2024 | 69,025 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.3% |
| Black or African American | 6.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
37.1
Median Age
48.7%
Female
51.3%
Male
16.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 17.6% · Seniors (65+): 16.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $82,792$-4,764 vs state |
| Mean household income | $104,482 |
| Per-capita income | $38,276 |
| Poverty rate | 5.9%+0.4% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% |
| Employment-to-population | 61.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Rice County is professional & business services, accounting for 29.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.4%
Drive alone
6.7%
Carpool
68.4%
Public transit
12.8%
Work from home
22.5 min
Avg commute
Housing
$298,500$-7,000 vs state
Median home value
$1,046
Median rent
75.9%
Homeownership rate
25,173
Total housing units
92.7%
Occupied
7.3%
Vacant
24.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.6%
With health insurance
95.0%
With broadband internet
22.7%
Foreign-born
6.4%
Veterans (18+)
10.1%
With a disability
86.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
93.0%
High School+
29.7%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Minnesota
Other counties in Minnesota
Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Rice County, Minnesota has a population of 67,389 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 14th-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 136 people per square mile.
The population of Rice County has grown 7.5% since 2010 (64,231 → 69,025), a +0.52% annualized rate.
The median household income in Rice County, Minnesota is $82,792, with mean (average) household income of $104,482 and per-capita income of $38,276. 5.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Rice County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (80.3%), Black or African American (6.5%), Hispanic or Latino (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Rice County, Minnesota is 37.1 years. Residents are 48.7% female and 51.3% male.
The median home value in Rice County is $298,500 and median monthly rent is $1,046. 75.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 25,173 total housing units, 7.3% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Rice County, Minnesota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 29.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.
Minneapolis is among the largest cities associated with Rice County, Minnesota, with a population of 426,845.
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Statewide data for Minnesota
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Minnesota
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.