Rice Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rice Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 4,153, the 175th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $89,663, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Rice Lake Quick Facts
How Rice Lake Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,120 | 4,153 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $95,347 | $89,663 | -6.0% |
| Median home value | $283,700 | $309,600 | +9.1% |
How Rice Lake Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rice Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | 87,093 | $68,807 | 16.8% | $242,700 |
| Hibbing | 16,057 | $55,789 | 16.2% | $130,200 |
| Hermantown | 10,218 | $90,849 | 5.4% | $382,300 |
| Virginia | 8,332 | $51,720 | 18.0% | $120,600 |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | 14.0% | $109,200 |
| Eveleth | 3,448 | $50,725 | 14.8% | $97,600 |
| Ely | 3,240 | $43,901 | 13.9% | $157,300 |
| Proctor | 3,100 | $67,377 | 5.8% | $224,700 |
| Mountain Iron | 2,860 | $83,293 | 11.5% | $192,800 |
| Hoyt Lakes | 2,064 | $65,764 | 7.3% | $93,300 |
Cities Similar to Rice Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon Falls | 4,227 | $84,097 | $263,300 | 24.7% | 9.2% |
| St. Charles | 4,037 | $96,200 | $256,600 | 33.3% | 3.2% |
| Le Sueur | 4,215 | $78,711 | $244,000 | 25.2% | 12.8% |
| Stacy | 4,384 | $98,464 | $323,800 | 18.4% | 5.2% |
| Goodview | 4,103 | $74,712 | $254,200 | 34.5% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Rice Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within St. Louis County. The total population is 4,153. It ranks as the 175th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rice Lake is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rice Lake is $89,663. This is about the same as the state median of $89,062. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $309,600. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 90.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rice Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
33.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rice Lake, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rice Lake, Minnesota?
Rice Lake, Minnesota has a population of 4,153 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rice Lake, MN?
The median household income in Rice Lake is $89,663, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rice Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Rice Lake is 7.2%. This means approximately 297 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rice Lake, Minnesota?
Rice Lake's population is 91.2% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rice Lake, MN?
The median home value in Rice Lake is $309,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Rice Lake, Minnesota?
33.9% of adults (25+) in Rice Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.