Rice County, Minnesota
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 56/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Spanning 11 ZIP codes, Rice County lands near the national median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the county's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability rather than a single systemic problem.
How Rice County Compares
How Rice County Compares
Rice County scores 6 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 12 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Rice County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 11.9 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 9.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $788, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.353% avg pipe failure probability, 30% of ZIPs at high risk
51.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Rice County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 8 total (8 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $788
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
28,383 housing units in Rice County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Rice County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Rice County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Rice County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Rice County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rolling Green First Addition | 110 | 12 |
| 2 | Northfield | 20,790 | 6 |
| 3 | Dundas | 1,490 | 6 |
| 4 | Morgedal Homeowners Association | 49 | 4 |
| 5 | Morristown | 987 | 4 |
13 total water systems serve Rice County.
All ZIP Codes in Rice County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Rice County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55019 | Dundas | 67 | C | 4 | $316K |
| 2 | 55046 | Lonsdale | 66 | C | 0 | $331K |
| 3 | 55057 | Northfield | 64 | C | 2 | $339K |
| 4 | 55052 | Morristown | 63 | C | 4 | $267K |
| 5 | 55021 | Faribault | 61 | C | 2 | $268K |
| 6 | 55087 | Warsaw | 61 | C | 12 (1 health) | $234K |
| 7 | 55088 | Webster | 60 | C | 1 | $494K |
| 8 | 55053 | Nerstrand | 55 | C | 0 | $338K |
| 9 | 55010 | Castle Rock | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 55020 | Elko New Market | 40 | D | 0 | $453K |
| 11 | 55054 | Elko New Market | 40 | D | 0 | $399K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Rice County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 51.2% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rice County, Minnesota
Overview
Rice County in Minnesota covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (56/100).
6 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.
← Back to Minnesota water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.