Rice County
Welcome to Rice County! Find Your Place Here.
Located about 50 miles south of the Twin Cities, Rice County real estate has something for everyone. From fantastic higher educational institutions to historic sites and community events, there is no shortage of things to see and do.
Whether you’re looking to live in a larger city or a quaint town, want waterfront property or are looking for acres of open space, or anything in-between, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Read on to learn more about this outstanding area, or browse our listings of homes for sale in Rice County to find your new place now.
Rice County is home to beautifully maintained parks and recreational facilities for residents to enjoy. From the pavilion at Albers Park, to the waterfalls at Caron Park, to the campsites at McCullough Park, there are numerous fantastic green spaces for resident to take advantage of. From hiking and fishing to biking and ice-skating, there is always a great place to get outside and be active.
If you love to shop, Rice County has several fantastic commercial areas with everything from quaint kitchen stores to thrift shops and big box retailers. A larger variety of shops can be found in Faribault, with many standalone retailers as well as the Faribo West Mall, and in Northfield, with it’s fun, historic downtown shopping district. Rice County also has countless other shops and stores scattered throughout, which means no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it nearby.
Hungry? Rice County has a plethora of restaurants serving delicious favorites from pizza to Indian cuisine. If you’re craving authentic Mexican eats, try El Triunfo Market & Restaurant in Northfield. Hungry for some American classics? Stop by the Depot Bar and Grill in Faribault for great steaks, burgers, and sandwiches. From fast food to unique eats, Rice County has it all.
Rice County strives to create the most sustainable and environmentally friendly community possible. The County provides extensive recycling services and resources for residents, while the Rice County Division of Environmental Health works to protect the areas natural resources. Together, the County and its residents are working to improve air quality and create a more sustainable future.
The residents of Rice County have access to the educational services and resources of the following school districts:
Hiawatha Transit provides extensive public transportation services to the residents of Rice County living in the Northfield and Faribault areas. These services include both scheduled bus routes and dial-a-ride pick-ups.
Rice County is governed locally by the five-member Rice County Board of Commissioners. This board is responsible for all County policies and ordinances, in addition to oversight of all budgets and operations. The County Administrator, appointed by the Board of Commissioners, is then responsible for carrying out all of these policies.
Situated in the southeastern region of the state, Rice County was established on March 5, 1853. The County was named for Henry Mower Rice, Minnesota’s first U.S. Senator, and began as an agricultural center, with farms throughout the territory. Communities like Northfield and Faribault grew into small centers for industry and commercial activity, with stores, banks, and hotels. In 1876, the residents of Northfield famously fouled a bank robbery attempt by the Jesse James Gang – an event that is celebrated annually to this day. Rich in history and tradition, Rice County is now home to wonderful thriving communities and a total of approximately 65,000 residents.
Rice County is home to beautifully maintained parks and recreational facilities for residents to enjoy. From the pavilion at Albers Park, to the waterfalls at Caron Park, to the campsites at McCullough Park, there are numerous fantastic green spaces for resident to take advantage of. From hiking and fishing to biking and ice-skating, there is always a great place to get outside and be active.
If you love to shop, Rice County has several fantastic commercial areas with everything from quaint kitchen stores to thrift shops and big box retailers. A larger variety of shops can be found in Faribault, with many standalone retailers as well as the Faribo West Mall, and in Northfield, with it’s fun, historic downtown shopping district. Rice County also has countless other shops and stores scattered throughout, which means no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it nearby.
Hungry? Rice County has a plethora of restaurants serving delicious favorites from pizza to Indian cuisine. If you’re craving authentic Mexican eats, try El Triunfo Market & Restaurant in Northfield. Hungry for some American classics? Stop by the Depot Bar and Grill in Faribault for great steaks, burgers, and sandwiches. From fast food to unique eats, Rice County has it all.
Rice County strives to create the most sustainable and environmentally friendly community possible. The County provides extensive recycling services and resources for residents, while the Rice County Division of Environmental Health works to protect the areas natural resources. Together, the County and its residents are working to improve air quality and create a more sustainable future.
The residents of Rice County have access to the educational services and resources of the following school districts:
Hiawatha Transit provides extensive public transportation services to the residents of Rice County living in the Northfield and Faribault areas. These services include both scheduled bus routes and dial-a-ride pick-ups.
Rice County is governed locally by the five-member Rice County Board of Commissioners. This board is responsible for all County policies and ordinances, in addition to oversight of all budgets and operations. The County Administrator, appointed by the Board of Commissioners, is then responsible for carrying out all of these policies.
Situated in the southeastern region of the state, Rice County was established on March 5, 1853. The County was named for Henry Mower Rice, Minnesota’s first U.S. Senator, and began as an agricultural center, with farms throughout the territory. Communities like Northfield and Faribault grew into small centers for industry and commercial activity, with stores, banks, and hotels. In 1876, the residents of Northfield famously fouled a bank robbery attempt by the Jesse James Gang – an event that is celebrated annually to this day. Rich in history and tradition, Rice County is now home to wonderful thriving communities and a total of approximately 65,000 residents.
