General Information
Rice County is located in Southern Minnesota just 30 miles south of the Minneapolis
and St. Paul metropolitan area. The County encompasses an area of 496 square miles and contains
7 cities and 14 townships. The two largest cities in Rice County are Faribault
with a population of 22,798, and Northfield with a population of 18,801.
Rice County has a total population of 63,034 which is the State's 13th
most populous county. Rice County was organized on March 5, 1853, and
is governed by the general laws of the State of Minnesota. The cities
of Faribault and Northfield comprise slightly less than three quarters
of the County's total taxable value.
Governmental Organization & Services
The Rice County Board of Commissioners consists
of five commissioners elected from five districts in the County. All commissioners
serve overlapping four-year terms of office. Each member of the board
serves on various committees.
The Board appoints the County Administrator who is the chief executive
officer of the County. The Administrator is responsible for the administration
of Board policy and for the management of the various County departments.
The County's functions and employees are divided among 16 departments.
Four of these departments - Attorney, Auditor/Treasurer, Recorder and
Sheriff - are headed by members who are elected to office. The remaining
department heads are appointed by the County Board.
The County provides a full range of services. These services include:
health and social services; tax assessment and collection; judicial, law
enforcement and jail services; the construction and maintenance of highways
and infrastructure; recreational facilities, planning and zoning; and
general administrative services.
The General Fund budget of Rice County is approximately $21 million and the total budget is $49 million. The County has approximately 330 full-time equivalent employees. Interstate Highway 35 bisects Rice County from north to south. Minnesota State Highways 99, 60, 246, and 21 traverse the County. Air transportation is available through the Faribault Municipal Airport.
- City of Faribault
- City of Northfield
- South Central Technical College, Faribault
- Carleton College, Northfield
- St. Olaf College, Northfield
- County History
- National Register of Historical Places in Rice County
Faribault: (507) 332-6100 | Northfield and Lonsdale: (507) 645-9576
Locations and Hours