Rice County
MN · Pop. 67,389 · Mixed County
Rice County sits in Minnesota across 496 square miles, home to 67,389 people at 135.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $299,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.97% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F and average winter lows of 7.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. District One Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- District One Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 7.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Rice County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 29/100
- Median home price
- $299k
- Property tax
- 0.97%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.6"
- Broadband
- 99.3%
- Nearest hospital
- District One Hospital, 4.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rice County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rice County?
- Rice County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F, and average winter lows of 7.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $299,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.97%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- District One Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Rice County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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