Rice
6.7
High score (8-10)
Rice County has Northfield — home of Carleton College and St. Olaf College, two highly ranked liberal arts schools whose combined presence gives the town a cultural punch way above its size. Carleton regularly ranks in the national top 5 for liberal arts. The college community is genuinely open-minded and internationally engaged in a way almost no other small Minnesota city achieves. If you can access that community, Northfield is one of the most intellectually alive small towns in the state.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Rice County has Northfield's college scene, which is real but temporary and campus-specific. Most people who make Northfield interesting leave after graduation. Faribault (the other main city) is working-class with a more conservative culture. A foreign man connected to the college community does well; one who isn't finds the county fairly typical of rural Minnesota.
Lower score (below 6)
Rice County's social draw is almost entirely the two college campuses. Outside those specific academic communities, Northfield and Faribault are fairly typical small Minnesota cities. The academic culture can also be its own kind of insularity with its own in-group codes. A foreign man not connected to either campus finds limited options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Rice, Minnesota?
$66k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Rice, Minnesota?
Women marry at 28
How common is a college degree in Rice, Minnesota?
30% men have degree
What's the average male height in Rice, Minnesota?
176 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Rice, Minnesota?
Local women avg 29.6