Rice County Population Up, Waseca County Down in 2020 Census

Over the last decade, the nation grew at it's slowest rate since the 1930's, according to information released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Rice County grew at the third highest percentage rate in Southern Minnesota and Waseca County was the only county bordering Rice that lost population (-0.9% or 168 people).

In 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau counted 331.4 million people living in the United States, more than three-quarters (77.9%) or 258.3 million were adults, 18 years of age and older (10.1% increase since 2010).  Baby Boomers are driving the growth in adult population.

Rice County grew by 4.6% and 2,955 people to 67,097 from 2010 to 2020.  Only Olmsted County (up 12.9%, 18,599 people) and Blue Earth County (up 8%, 5,099 people) had bigger increases outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Southern Minnesota.

Here are the U.S. Census Bureau numbers for Rice County and some neighbors.

• Rice County  +4.6% population  2,955 people    67,097 total
• Scott County   +16.2%         21,000                   150,928
• Olmsted County  +12.9%     18,599                   162,847
• Dakota County  +10.4%      41,330                   439,882
• Blue Earth County  +8.0%      5,099                    69,112
• Le Sueur County  +3.5%        1,727                    34,454
• Dodge County  +3.9%              780                     20,867
• Goodhue County +3.0%        1,379                    47,582
• Steele County    +2.3%             830                    37,406
• Waseca County  -0.9%            -168                    18,968
• Mower County   +2.2%             866                     40,029
• Freeborn County  -1.2%          -360                      30,895

Other Southern Minnesota Counties that lost population:

• Winona County  -3.5%            -1,790                 49,671
• Houston County -1.0%               -184                 18,843
• Faribault County -4.3%              -632                  13,921

Statistically unchanged counties included:

• St. Louis County gained 5 people
• Mahnomen County -2 people

Rice County ranks 14th in Minnesota in population just behind Blue Earth County by 2,015 people.

Hennepin County is still the largest in Minnesota and grew by 11.2% from 2010 to 2020 equating to 129,140 more people.  Total population 1,281,565.

Ramsey County is second most populous county with a population of 552,352 up 8.6% and a growth of 43,712 people.

Dakota County is 3rd, Anoka County 4th and Washington County 5th most populous in the state.

Carver County had the largest increase in percentage, up 17.4% in Minnesota.  Up 15,880 people with a total of 106,922 with the 2020 census.

Some other information you might be interested in found with the 2020 U.S. Census for Minnesota.

• Median household income was $74,593 compared to United States $65,712
• Poverty rate in Minnesota 9.0% compared to 12.5% nationwide
• 44% of foreign born Minnesotans are not U.S. Citizens, 56% are U.S. Citizens
• Minnesota grew 7.6% or 402,569 people to a total population of 5,706,494

This is interesting information.

This could help you plan for your retirement.