RANK #364 / 996 · POP 67,152 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%
Rice County, Minnesota, is often recognized for Northfield, a town known for successfully repelling the infamous James-Younger Gang's bank robbery in 1876. Located in the south-central part of Minnesota, the county is approximately 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, with Interstate 35 providing a direct commute. The Cannon River flows through the county, contributing to a landscape of low, rolling hills and numerous lakes. Outdoor recreation is accessible with 12 county parks, including the Cannon River Wilderness Area, offering hiking, horseback riding, and canoeing.
Life in Rice County blends agricultural roots with educational opportunities. Faribault, the county seat, and Northfield are home to several colleges and academies, including Carleton and St. Olaf. The county's economy is supported by a diverse workforce, with many residents commuting within the county or to the nearby metropolitan area. Recent economic developments show a focus on attracting and retaining businesses in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and green industries, with incentives offered for private development.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Archer Datacenters Faribault Campus
Archer Datacenters
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
North Fork Wind Farm
EDP Renewables
|
$280M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
I-35/County Road 9 Interchange
Rice County/Minnesota Department of Transportation
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
County Road 20 Project (Cannon City Boulevard Phase I)
Rice County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Twin Oaks Housing Project
Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Rice County Habitat for Humanity, Three Rivers Community Action
|
$50M | Under Construction/Partially Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Rice County has a Boom Town Index score of 64/100, ranking #364 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.5% and a median household income of $78,214, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Rice County is $279,700 with median rent at $1,021/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2796, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.5%. Home values changed +3.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.13% of Rice County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.