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.
Rice County, MN Climate
Rice County, MN has an average annual temperature of 6.8°C (44°F) and receives about 785 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
6.8°C
Avg Temp
785
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -11° / 12° | 23 mm |
| February | -8° / 18° | 21 mm |
| March | -1° / 31° | 49 mm |
| April | 8° / 46° | 72 mm |
| May | 15° / 58° | 95 mm |
| June | 20° / 67° | 96 mm |
| July | 22° / 71° | 106 mm |
| August | 21° / 69° | 104 mm |
| September | 16° / 60° | 90 mm |
| October | 9° / 48° | 59 mm |
| November | 0° / 32° | 42 mm |
| December | -8° / 18° | 28 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Rice County, MN
The most comfortable months to visit Rice County, MN are typically August, June and July, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 28°C high). The coldest is January (near -16°C low). July is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Rice County
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.