2023 Rice County, Minnesota Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering Rice County, Minnesota, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

Rice County, Minnesota Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
67,389
Median Age
37.1 years
Median Household Income
$82,792
Bachelor's Degree+
29.70%
Uninsured Rate
6.4%
Total Households
23,345
Total Workers
33,588
Citizenship Rate
94.1%
Total Veterans
3,400
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Families in Poverty
902
SNAP Recipients
7.31%
Households w/ SNAP
1,707

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of Rice County, Minnesota by age group and gender, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of Rice County, Minnesota is 67,389. The median age of the population in Rice County, Minnesota is 37.1 years. The median age for males is 36.6 years, and for females it is 37.5 years.

The age distribution of the population in Rice County, Minnesota by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 5.49%
5–17 years (children) 16.15%
18–24 years (young adults) 14.38%
25–34 years 11.22%
35–54 years 24.00%
55–64 years 12.34%
65 years and over (seniors) 16.42%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in Rice County, Minnesota

The total dependency ratio in Rice County, Minnesota is 61.46. The youth dependency ratio is 34.94, and the old-age dependency ratio is 26.52. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated ZIP Codes in Rice County, Minnesota, including Faribault (55021) (30,860), Northfield (55057) (25,458), and New Prague (56071) (13,015).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Rice County, Minnesota?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for Rice County, Minnesota
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of Rice County, Minnesota is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for Rice County, Minnesota is calculated at 37.26, suggesting a low level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of Rice County, Minnesota by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 78.21%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 10.22%
Black/African American Alone 6.46%
Two or More Races 2.57%
Asian Alone 2.11%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.24%
Some Other Race Alone 0.15%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.03%

Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in Rice County, Minnesota.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in Rice County, Minnesota over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $82,792. This figure is based on a total of 23,345 households.

The distribution of household income in Rice County, Minnesota across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 9.00%
$20,000 to $34,999 10.18%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.10%
$50,000 to $74,999 15.92%
$75,000 to $149,999 33.73%
$150,000 or more 21.07%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the ZIP Codes with the highest median household income in Rice County, Minnesota, explore the data for: New Prague (56071) ($109,672), Northfield (55057) ($97,521), and Waseca (56093) ($73,210).


Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Rice County, Minnesota.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Rice County, Minnesota is based on a total of 17,714 properties.

The property value distribution in Rice County, Minnesota across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 4.68%
$25,000 to $49,999 1.22%
$50,000 to $99,999 1.51%
$100,000 to $199,999 15.22%
$200,000 to $499,999 62.73%
$500,000 to $999,999 14.39%
$1,000,000 or more 0.25%

Educational Attainment in Rice County, Minnesota (2023 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in Rice County, Minnesota.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in Rice County, Minnesota, totaling 43,116 individuals.

92.98% of Rice County, Minnesota population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 29.70%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 7.02%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 32.95%
Some college or associate's degree 30.33%
Bachelor's Degree 18.15%
Graduate or professional degree 11.55%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in Rice County, Minnesota?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in Rice County, Minnesota.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for Rice County, Minnesota shows that 6.4% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 4,180 individuals out of a total population of 64,925 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 11.9% for males and 8.7% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 9.2% of males and 6.8% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In Rice County, Minnesota, uninsured rates for children are 4.5% for males and 3.5% for females, while seniors have rates of 2.9% for males and 0.0% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 4.5% 3.5%
18-34 years 11.9% 8.7%
35-64 years 9.2% 6.8%
65+ years 2.9% 0.0%

Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Rice County, Minnesota based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for Rice County, Minnesota shows that 94.1% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 63,435 individuals out of a total population of 67,389 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 90.1% were born in the United States, 0.0% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 1.2% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 2.8% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (1,906 individuals), while 5.9% are non-citizens (3,954 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 90.1%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 0.0%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 1.2%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 2.8%
Not a U.S. citizen 5.9%
Total U.S. Citizens 94.1%

Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in Rice County, Minnesota.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for Rice County, Minnesota show that 78.3% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 25,864 workers out of a total workforce of 33,015 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 0.4% (116 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (6.7%) and bicycling (0.6%).

12.8% of workers in Rice County, Minnesota report working from home. An additional 1.3% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 78.3% 25,864
Public transportation 0.4% 116
Bicycle 0.6% 186
Walked 6.7% 2,211
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 1.3% 415
Worked from home 12.8% 4,223
Total Workers - 33,015

Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in Rice County, Minnesota, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Rice County, Minnesota totals 33,588 workers. Of these, 17,153 (51.1%) are male and 16,435 (48.9%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in Rice County, Minnesota is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 12,544 (37.3%) 9,959 (29.7%)
Private Non-Profit 1,829 (5.4%) 3,037 (9.0%)
Government (All Levels) 1,445 (4.3%) 2,797 (8.3%)
  • Local Government 735 1,900
  • State Government 454 662
  • Federal Government 256 235
Self-Employed 1,313 (3.9%) 591 (1.8%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of Rice County, Minnesota.


Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in Rice County, Minnesota, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 3,400 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in Rice County, Minnesota.

The largest group of veterans served during Vietnam Era Only, accounting for 1,169 veterans (34.4% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Gulf War Only, with 539 veterans (15.9%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in Rice County, Minnesota is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 1,169 34.4%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 539 15.9%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 466 13.7%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 440 12.9%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 285 8.4%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 196 5.8%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 186 5.5%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 55 1.6%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 31 0.9%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 20 0.6%
Between Korean War and World War II 9 0.3%
Korean War and World War II 4 0.1%
Total Veterans 3,400 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Rice County, Minnesota, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 15,334 families in Rice County, Minnesota.

Of these families, 902 (5.9%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 4,025 families (26.2%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 10,407 families (67.9%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in Rice County, Minnesota is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 255 1.7%
50-74% of Poverty 233 1.5%
75-99% of Poverty 414 2.7%
100-124% of Poverty 396 2.6%
125-149% of Poverty 605 3.9%
150-174% of Poverty 237 1.5%
175-184% of Poverty 167 1.1%
185-199% of Poverty 243 1.6%
200-299% of Poverty 2,377 15.5%
300-399% of Poverty 2,365 15.4%
400-499% of Poverty 1,970 12.8%
500%+ of Poverty 6,072 39.6%
Total Families 15,334 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


Rice County, Minnesota 2023 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in Rice County, Minnesota, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 23,345 total households in Rice County, Minnesota. Of these, 1,707 households (7.31%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 861 (50.44%) have children under 18 years, while 846 (49.56%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in Rice County, Minnesota, 2023
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 408 (23.90%) 106 (6.21%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 42 (2.46%) 115 (6.74%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 411 (24.08%) 143 (8.38%)
Nonfamily Households 0 (0.00%) 482 (28.24%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in Rice County, Minnesota. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of Rice County, Minnesota is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years5.49%
5–17 years (children)16.15%
18–24 years (young adults)14.38%
25–34 years11.22%
35–54 years24.00%
55–64 years12.34%
65 years and over (seniors)16.42%

The racial and ethnic composition of Rice County, Minnesota is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 78.21%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 10.22%, Black/African American Alone: 6.46%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Rice County, Minnesota is $82,792. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Rice County, Minnesota is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 9.00%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 10.18%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 10.10%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 15.92%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 33.73%, High Income ($150,000+): 21.07%.

Approximately 41.44% of households in Rice County, Minnesota earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Rice County, Minnesota is: Less than $25,000: 4.68%, $25,000-$49,999: 1.22%, $50,000-$99,999: 1.51%, $100,000-$199,999: 15.22%, $200,000-$499,999: 62.73%, $500,000-$999,999: 14.39%, $1,000,000 or more: 0.25%.

There are 17,714 owner-occupied housing units in Rice County, Minnesota. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 14.64% of owner-occupied housing units in Rice County, Minnesota are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 29.70% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Rice County, Minnesota (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 7.02%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 32.95%, Some college or associate's degree: 30.33%, Bachelor's degree: 18.15%, Graduate or professional degree: 11.55%.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 92.98% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 6.4% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 4,180 individuals out of a total population of 64,925 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Rice County, Minnesota. For young adults (18-34 years), 11.9% of males and 8.7% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 9.2% of males and 6.8% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Rice County, Minnesota have uninsured rates of 4.5% for males and 3.5% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 2.9% for males and 0.0% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 94.1% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 67,389 people, 63,435 are U.S. citizens.

Rice County, Minnesota has 1,906 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 2.8% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Rice County, Minnesota is: 90.1% were born in the United States, 0.0% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 1.2% were born abroad of American parent(s), 2.8% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 5.9% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 78.3% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 33,015 total workers, 25,864 use personal vehicles for their commute.

116 workers in Rice County, Minnesota use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.4% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Rice County, Minnesota include: 12.8% work from home, 6.7% walk to work, 0.6% bicycle, and 1.3% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Rice County, Minnesota. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Rice County, Minnesota has 33,588 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 37.3% of male workers and 29.7% of female workers in this category.

In Rice County, Minnesota, there are 1,445 male government workers and 2,797 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 4.3% of male workers and 8.3% of female workers.

Self-employment in Rice County, Minnesota includes 1,313 males (3.9%) and 591 females (1.8%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 1,707 households (7.31% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 23,345 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Rice County, Minnesota, 861 (50.44%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Rice County, Minnesota include diverse household types. Among households with children, 411 (24.08%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 408 (23.90%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Rice County, Minnesota, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 3,400 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Rice County, Minnesota. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Rice County, Minnesota is Vietnam Era Only, with 1,169 veterans (34.4% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Gulf War Only, with 539 veterans (15.9%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Rice County, Minnesota provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 49.5% of all veterans in Rice County, Minnesota. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 1,682 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 902 families (5.9% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 15,334 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Rice County, Minnesota, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Rice County, Minnesota has 4,025 families (26.2%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 1,238 families (8.1%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Rice County, Minnesota, 255 families (1.7%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 10,407 families (67.9%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.