1st Advantage MortgageRice County households have a median income of $83,181 and median rent of $1,083 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Rice County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Rice County in brief
- Income in Rice County compared with Minnesota
- Work, industries and travel time in Rice County
- Where Rice County households live
- Where Rice County differs from the rest of Minnesota
- How Rice County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Rice County
- Reading the Rice County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income, Rice County edition
- Age, degrees and coverage in Rice County
- Lender oversight for Rice County
- A Rice County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Rice County in brief
With an estimated 67,917 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Rice County ranks 14th of 87 in Minnesota for population. Density: about 137.0 residents per square mile across 496 square miles of land. No metropolitan area includes Rice County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Rice County, Faribault leads by population with about 24,631; 7 of the 8 are incorporated.
Income in Rice County compared with Minnesota
Half of Rice County households take in less than $83,181 a year and half take in more, 7% below the Minnesota median of $89,062. In the state ranking that is 16th of 87.
| Band | Rice County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.2% | +1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.1% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.7% | +0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.0% | -4.8 pts |
Six-figure households (41%) outnumber those under $35,000 (19%) in Rice County. Poverty rate, Rice County: 10.2%; Minnesota: 9.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.428 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Rice County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Rice County
The biggest employer of Rice County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). Rice County over-indexes on education and health care: 29% versus 26% in Minnesota. 4.6% of Rice County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home.
| Where residents work | Rice County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.8% | +3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.7% | +2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.1% | -4.5 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Rice County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Where Rice County households live
Half of Rice County renters pay more than $1,083 a month and half pay less; the Minnesota midpoint is $1,280. By the Census definition, 45% of Rice County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $320,200, about 3.8 times the median household income. In Rice County, 76% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1978. Against the median U.S. county, Rice County rent is 23% above.
| Housing | Rice County | Minnesota statewide | Rice County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 29% | 23% | +6.2 pts |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | +4.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 48% | -3.5 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | -2.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,083/mo | $1,280/mo | 15% lower |
| Mobile homes | 4.2% | 2.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Median home value | $320,200 | $329,300 | 3% lower |
Rice County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Where Rice County differs from the rest of Minnesota
Where Rice County lands at the extremes of Minnesota's county rankings:
- Rice County ranks 12th lowest of 87 Minnesota counties for median age: 37.1, against 38.8 statewide. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- On median home value, Rice County sits near the top of Minnesota at $320,200, 14th highest of 87. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
- On population, Rice County sits near the top of Minnesota at 67,917, 14th highest of 87. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
How Rice County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 29 miles). Scott County leads the group on income ($119,314), Waseca County trails ($76,261), and Rice County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice County | - | $83,181 | $1,083/mo | 76% |
| Le Sueur County, MN | 21 mi | $94,968 | $942/mo | 81% |
| Steele County, MN | 24 mi | $84,196 | $1,061/mo | 79% |
| Scott County, MN | 24 mi | $119,314 | $1,568/mo | 84% |
| Dakota County, MN | 25 mi | $106,318 | $1,548/mo | 75% |
| Waseca County, MN | 27 mi | $76,261 | $883/mo | 81% |
| Goodhue County, MN | 29 mi | $84,171 | $966/mo | 79% |
The communities that make up Rice County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Rice County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 54,448 residents, leaving about 20% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $54,861, Dundas over Faribault. Rent is cheapest in Warsaw ($825) and steepest in Dundas ($1,875). Live in one of these Rice County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faribault | city | 24,631 | $61,449 | $1,074 | 4 mi |
| Northfield | city | 20,742 | $84,895 | $1,103 | 10 mi |
| Lonsdale | city | 4,896 | $95,176 | $906 | 11 mi |
| Dundas | city | 1,916 | $116,310 | $1,875 | 7 mi |
| Morristown | city | 1,265 | $83,059 | $1,018 | 11 mi |
| Warsaw | CDP | 560 | $93,750 | $825 | 7 mi |
| Dennison | city | 223 | $55,000 | $1,750 | 14 mi |
| Nerstrand | city | 215 | $85,833 | $1,350 | 12 mi |
Reading the Rice County data as a borrower
Rice County-specific points to check:
- Consolidation math. With 41% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Debt-to-income, Rice County edition
Rice County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Rice County: $6,932
- Median rent: $1,083, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,898 a month
A household below the $83,181 median has less room than this, often none.
Age, degrees and coverage in Rice County
In Rice County, 30% of adults have at least a four-year degree (39% in Minnesota). Uninsured, Rice County: 5.5%; Minnesota: 4.7%.
| Indicator | Rice County | +/- Minnesota | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.2% | -9.2 pts | +8.0 pts |
| Work from home | 12.0% | -5.7 pts | +3.3 pts |
| Median age | 37.1 | -1.7 yrs | -4.4 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 7.3% | +1.3 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | -1.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | +0.9 pts | -3.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | +0.9 pts | -2.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | +0.5 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Minutes to work | Rice County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.7% |
Lender oversight for Rice County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Rice County borrowers answers to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. If a Rice County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Minnesota page has statewide figures to set beside Rice County's.
A Rice County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Rice County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Rice County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rice County a high-income county?
Its $83,181 median ranks 16th of 87 Minnesota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Rice County rent compare with Minnesota?
$1,083 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 15% below.
Is Nerstrand covered?
Yes. Nerstrand is one of 8 Census places in Rice County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Rice County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Minnesota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Rice County?
Start with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.