Rice, Minnesota
City
Location of Rice, Minnesota
Location of Rice, Minnesota
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Benton
Area
 • Total 6.1 sq mi (15.8 km2)
 • Land 6.0 sq mi (15.5 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation 1,063 ft (324 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 711
 • Density 118.8/sq mi (45.9/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 56367
Area code(s) 320
FIPS code 27-53998Template:GR
GNIS feature ID 0649962Template:GR

Rice is a city in Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 711 at the 2000 census. Its zip code also encompasses three townships: Watab Township, Langola Township and Graham Township.

Contents

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which, 6.0 square miles (15.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (1.80%) is water.

The terrain is largely sandy and flat. Numerous pine and poplar intersperse irrigated farm fields.

The Mississippi River is located west of Rice, and Little Rock Lake is located east.

U.S. Highway 10 serves as a main route in the community.

History[edit]

Originally an Ojibway territory, Sand Prairie, saw its first settlers of European origin in the autumn of 1844.[1] Under a mandate of the United States government and after the Ojibway ceded their land in the Treaty of 1837,[2] the Territory of Minnesota was established in 1849. Benton County became one of nine organized counties. The Village of Rice was named after Massachusetts born [3] hotelier and mill owner, George T. Rice. Rice migrated to the Village of Langola[4] in 1864 to develop the area. In 1877, the Northern Pacific Railroad began passing through the Rice Railroad Station. As a direct result of the railroad traffic, George T. Rice hired F.W. Earl to build the Luther hotel. The Village of Rice became officially incorporated within Benton County, on July 18, 1890, as a farming community.[5]

In 1993, Rice was named a Tree City USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation.

Rice has been awarded the "Minnesota Star City" designation for economic development.

Culture[edit]

Historical sites[edit]

Festivals and special activities[edit]

Outdoor activities[edit]

Curiosities[edit]

Churches[edit]

Other Attractions[edit]

Other attractions include the Great River Bike Trail, an art gallery, several parks, softball fields and an ice skating rink.

Education[edit]

K-12[edit]

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools system operates three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and has a District Office for Home School. Rice Elementary School is the only one of these schools located within the city of Rice. As with other Minnesota school systems, the Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools system has open enrollment. The athletic team for the middle and high school is the Storm[1]

Demographics[edit]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 711 people, 247 households, and 185 families residing in the city. The population density was 118.8 people per square mile (45.8/km²). There were 250 housing units at an average density of 41.8/sq mi (16.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.70% Native American, 0.14% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.

There were 247 households out of which 48.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 35.3% from 25 to 44, 15.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,173, and the median income for a family was $52,222. Males had a median income of $32,794 versus $22,279 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,882. About 5.2% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 33.3% of those age 65 or over.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Map Page
  2. ^ History Center
  3. ^ Records
  4. ^ Village of Langola
  5. ^ Communities
  6. ^ Little Rock Lake

External links[edit]

45°45′11″N 94°13′16″W / 45.75306°N 94.22111°W / 45.75306; -94.22111