Rice, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Rice, Minnesota
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto = A past with pride ... a future with promise

imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Downtown Rice


image_

seal_size = 72x72px
seal_caption = Logo of Rice, Minnesota

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Rice, Minnesota


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Benton

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Mitch Fiedler
leader_title1 = City Council Members
leader_name1 = Lyn Mohs, Dave Thene, Brian Skroch, Joseph Voigt
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = on July 18, 1890

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 15.8
area_land_km2 = 15.5
area_water_km2 = 0.3
area_total_sq_mi = 6.1
area_land_sq_mi = 6.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 711
population_density_km2 = 45.9
population_density_sq_mi = 118.8

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 324
elevation_ft = 1063
latd = 45 |latm = 45 |lats = 10 |latNS = N
longd = 94 |longm = 13 |longs = 23 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 56367
area_code = 320
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 27-53998GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0649962GR|3
website = http://www.cityofrice.com/
footnotes =

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

Rice is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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. Route 10 serves as a main route in the community.

History

, as a farming community. [ [http://miva.sctimes.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?Web/page.mv+5+DirGuides+Communities Communities] ]

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

Historical sites

• Immaculate Conception Church
• Old Rice Village Hall

Festivals and special activities

• Rice Loves Its Kids Month
(February)
• Memorial Day Remembrance
• Summerfest
(takes place in June)
• Little Rock Lake 4th of July Pontoon Parade
• Half-Way Jam Outdoor Rock Music Festival
(takes place annually during summer)
• Rice Fun Day and Kiddie Parade
(takes place on the third Saturday in August)
• Arts and Craft Show
(takes place on the first weekend of September)
• 9/11 Remembrance
• Veteran's Day Remembrance
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance

Outdoor activities

• Benton Beach on Little Rock Lake is frequented by campers, fishermen and boaters during the summer, and ice fishermen in the winter. The lake itself is maintained by the Little Rock Lake Association. [ [http://www.littlerocklake.org/ Little Rock Lake] ]
• Hunting is extremely popular in Rice. The city has its own game preserve and two taxidermy shops. Meat raffles are a typical fundraising activity.
• Athletic sports, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicles, bicycling, and motorcycling are commonly enjoyed activities as well.

Curiosities and Trivia

• On April 14, 1886, Rice, along with Sauk Rapids and St Cloud were hit by the Sauk Rapids Tornado. It is the deadliest in the history of Minnesota.
• Rice Blacksmith Saw and Machine is an active family-owned blacksmith shop that has been in operation since 1940.
• Rice's only lending library is located inside a laundrymat within the Old Creamery Cafe. It is privately-owned, and self-service with no librarian in charge. There is neither a checkout nor are there deadlines. Books aren't necessarily expected to return, but generally do. Its growing and ever changing collection is acquired mostly through anonymous donations that are deposited inside wooden box. It is maintained by the Rice Women of Today and the restaurant staff.
• Rice has a free self-service vegetable stand that occasionally sells inexpensive flowers using the honor system. It is partially funded by donations.

Churches

• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
• Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church
• Graham Methodist Church
• Living Hope Church

Other Attractions

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

Education

K-12

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" [http://www.isd47.org/]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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

Further reading

*cite book| last= Lindblad| first= Sister Owen| title= Immaculate Conception Parish, Rice, MN Centennial 1885-1985| publisher= Diocese of St. Cloud| date= 1985| id= ASIN B000JWKA0E
*cite book| last= Benton County Genealogical Society | title= Benton County| publisher= Arcadia Publishing| date= May 25,2005| id= ISBN-10: 073851814X| id1=ISBN-13: 978-0738518145

External links

* [http://www.cityofrice.com/ City website]
* [http://www.riceminnesota.com/ Rice Chamber of Commerce]

Geographic Location (8-way)
Centre =Rice
North = Royalton, Minnesota
Northeast = Little Rock, Minnesota
East = Gilman, Minnesota
Southeast = Foley, Minnesota
South =Sartell, Minnesota
Southwest =Avon, Minnesota
West = Holdingford, Minnesota
Northwest = Bowlus, Minnesota