RICE COUNTY
County Offices
320 Third Street NW
Faribault 507-332-6100
www.co.rice.mn.us
Chamber of Commerce
530 Wilson Avenue NW
Faribault 507-334-4381
www.faribaultmn.org
Just 30 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, scenic Rice County covers nearly 500 square miles with picturesque farm fields, rural townships, growing cities, and welcoming communities. In addition to its close proximity to the Twin Cities, Rice County is within an hour’s drive from the Mall of America, Rochester and the Mayo Clinic, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Attractions just beyond the borders of Iowa and Wisconsin are also easily accessible.
The leading cities of Faribault and Northfield serve as the commercial, educational, and healthcare hubs of the county. A few smaller cities and sprawling townships that support agricultural activity add to the options for small-town or country living. Rice County remains a blend of agriculture and industry. Faribault is still famous for its woolen products, as well as its garden and nursery industry. Northfield’s main business is education, with two respected private colleges that considerably expand the population. Sleepy small towns like Lonsdale are growing once again as bedroom communities for those employed in the Twin Cities metropolitan region.
Services
In spite of the rural beauty that graces Rice County, residents seldom have to leave the area for advanced healthcare. District One Hospital in Faribault provides an acute-care institution that serves approximately 35,000 residents in the southern half of Rice County. The hospital campus is also home to one of the four southeastern Mankato’s Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinics. Three other multi-specialty clinics expand the treatment options in Rice County: Two Allina Hospitals & Clinics medical centers and the Cannon Valley Clinic of the Mayo Health System. Northfield Hospital in Northfield provides the second major healthcare institution within the county, serving the 80,000 regional residents of Rice, Dakota, Scott, and Goodhue counties. The hospital features an attached long-term care center and offers a wide range of services from 24-hour emergency services to home care. Other specialties include critical care, birthing services, advanced imaging, rehabilitation, cancer care, surgery, and hospice. Northfield’s new integrated healthcare campus features a primary care clinic and facilities for resident and visiting specialists. Northfield Hospital is also developing a regional network of primary care clinics that feature a wide array of routine and specialized medical services even closer to home.
Outstanding public school districts combine with choices for a private education in Rice County, where Northfield is the undisputed center of higher education. Two highly respected private colleges that date back to the mid 1800s still maintain stately and beautiful campuses in the city: The liberal arts Carleton College and the Lutheran-affiliated St. Olaf College. Carleton is extremely selective in the enrollment of a student body that hails from all 40 states and nearly 40 foreign countries. Carleton at one time published the nation’s only magazine devoted exclusively to astronomy. Equally prestigious, St. Olaf College draws from a rich educational heritage of world-class programs in music and mathematics. The college is also recognized for scientific research and its intensive global focus. The student-faculty ratio is 12 to 1, and 93 percent of the faculty members hold doctorates or the highest degree in their discipline.
Lifestyle
Close enough to the Twin Cities to serve as a bedroom community for commuters yet far enough removed to offer the pleasures of country living, Rice County supports every imaginable lifestyle. Some will prefer the growing major cities of Faribault and Northfield, with their urban neighborhoods and accessible amenities. Others may prefer to settle in one of the agricultural townships or small towns, where neighbors quickly become life-long friends. The housing options in Rice County are equally diverse, ranging from handsome homes in new subdivisions to historic properties, country manors, quaint farmhouses, or lovely homes that command breathtaking views.
The county maintains well over 1,000 acres of panoramic land for recreational activities and outdoor enjoyment. At the same time, the various municipalities have developed their own impressive list of advantages. Northfield offers more than 35 parks and open spaces as well as pedestrian and bicycle paths, an arena, and an outdoor community swimming pool. Faribault adds an array of additional attractions including a wonderful Family Aquatic Center, a well-equipped fitness center, and a city trails system. The River Bend Nature Center and vast state parks are easily accessible for camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and nature study. Those who appreciate the arts will want to explore the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault and check the calendar of events on the Northfield college campuses. Regardless of where you choose to settle in Rice County, you can look forward to an extraordinary quality of life in one of Minnesota’s most scenic regions.
Dundas, Bridgewater Township
Dundas Offices
507-645-2852
www.cityofdundas.org
Bridgewater Offices
http://bridgewatertwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
507-645-5604
www.northfieldchamber.com
The small city of Dundas and rural Bridgewater Township are growing communities in close proximity to the larger city of Northfield. Residents also enjoy easy access to the expanded amenities in Faribault. Major healthcare centers, two private college campuses, a regional arts center with cultural attractions including community theatre, and commercial conveniences are a few of the advantages these two urban centers provide. Dundas, on the other hand, is expanding by attracting new industries and small businesses as well as residential development. Planners and residents are committed to a carefully planned growth process that will preserve the quality of life and small-town atmosphere they appreciate. Recreational activity is well-served by lush local parks and the new Mill Towns State Trail, three miles of which link Dundas with Northfield for biking, blading, skating, walking, and jogging.
Faribault
Municipal Offices
507-334-2222
www.ci.faribault.mn.us
Chamber of Commerce
507-334-4381
www.faribaultmn.org
Growing up along the banks of the Straight and Cannon rivers, Faribault is one of the two major cities in Rice County and serves as the county seat of government. Proud of a rich history that dates back to the 1800s, the city preserves the 1853 Alexander Faribault House and the grand architecture of Shattuck-St. Mary’s School and the Minnesota State Academies for the Blind and Deaf. These schools contributed to Faribault’s title as the “Athens of the West” for its status as a center of learning. Other highlights include the historic downtown district, the Faribo West Mall, sparkling lakes and miles of trails, scores of city parks, golf courses, and a number of county parks. The housing mix combines well-kept older homes shaded by mature greenery with newer construction in a variety of styles and price ranges.
Lonsdale
Municipal Offices
507-744-2327
www.lonsdale.govoffice.com
Chamber of Commerce
507-744-4962
www.lonsdalechamber.com
The small but growing city of Lonsdale lies between Northfield and New Prague, conveniently located about seven miles west of Interstate 35 in the northwest corner of Rice County. In recent years, residential development has been on the rise as suburban sprawl from the Twin Cities is reaching further into the surrounding countryside. Newcomers will find a welcoming community with a close-knit spirit and tidy neighborhoods dotted by parks and green space. Even more community and neighborhood parks are planned for the new subdivisions that have sprung up in this area. Newer developments feature pedestrian and bicycle trails that meander through attractive neighborhoods. Currently available sports facilities include athletic fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic areas, and a skating rink. Snowmobile trails in Lonsdale also connect to the countywide trail system. The city proudly celebrates its past and looks forward to a bright future with the annual Lonsdale Community Days.
Northfield
Municipal Offices
507-645-8833
www.ci.northfield.mn.us
Chamber of Commerce
507-645-5604
www.northfieldchamber.com
Uniquely blending historic preservation with a progressive attitude, the vibrant community of Northfield is home to two private institutions of higher education: Carleton College and St. Olaf College. Just 45 minutes from the Twin Cities, Northfield nestles against the banks of the Cannon River, artfully contrasting the tranquility of its rural heritage with the sophistication of a college town. The infusion of collegiate energy enlivens the entire community, stimulating the economy and enhancing cultural amenities. Proud of its colorful history, this pedestrian-friendly town offers a charmingly restored 19th-century historic district filled with unique shops and cozy restaurants. Yesterday’s dominant dairy industry has disappeared, but agricultural activity still surrounds the city. The campus of a high-tech corporation in Northfield might be fringed by rolling farmland. Even in the city, a Victorian popcorn wagon standing beside a contemporary fountain would be a common sight. Relatively small in size, Northfield is nevertheless brimming over with intellectual and cultural appeal, progressive technology, and a cherished history.
