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About Rice County
Mission statement
To proactively address the needs of the public we serve in an efficient and effective manner to enhance the quality of life for the citizens.
General Information
Rice County is located in southern Minnesota, about 50 miles south of the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The county, which encompasses an area of 516 square miles, has seven cities and 14 townships.
According to the 2020 Census, the two largest cities in Rice County are Faribault with a population of 24,453, and Northfield with a population of 20,790. Rice County has a total population of 67,097 which is the14th most populous of Minnesota's 87 counties.
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 half of the county's total taxable value.
Governmental organization and services
The Rice County Board of Commissioners consists of five commissioners, one elected from each of the five districts. Commissioners serve overlapping four-year terms of office. Each member of the board also serves on various committees and subcommittees.
The board appoints the county administrator who is the chief executive officer of the county. The administrator is responsible for administering board policy and for the management of the various county departments.
County functions
The County's functions and employees are divided among 16 departments. Two of these departments -- Attorney and Sheriff -- are headed by elected officials. The remaining department heads are appointed by the County Board.
General fund budget
The General Fund budget of Rice County is approximately $21 million and the total budget is $49 million. The county has approximately 425 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.
County services
Rice County provides a full range of services, including
- Construction and maintenance of highways/infrastructure
- Economic development
- General administrative services
- Health and social services
- Judicial, law enforcement and jail services
- Planning and zoning
- Recreational facilities
- Tax assessment and collection
- Veterans services
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Sara Folsted
County Administrator
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Administration
Physical Address
Rice County Government Services Building
320 Third St. NW
Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: 507-332-6100Fax: 507-333-3848
- City of Dundas
- City of Faribault
- City of Lonsdale
- City of Morristown
- City of Nerstrand
- City of Northfield
- Carleton College, Northfield
- St. Olaf College, Northfield
- South Central College, Faribault
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Rice County
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Rice County (Interactive map)