What do you know about Rice County, Minnesota?

The poverty rate in Rice County was 8% in 2005. This is an increase from 6.9% in 1999. The poverty rate for children under 18 was even higher-9.3% in 2005. That means over 1000 children in our county were living in poverty.

The percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches is a common measure of children’s economic well-being. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals, and those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. In the 2005-2006 school year, 37.7% of students in the Faribault and 16.8% of students in the Northfield public school systems qualified for free or reduced-price lunch.

In 2000, 9.8% of the Rice County population did not have health insurance. 5.3% of children (under age 18) did not have health insurance.

Breaking Down Poverty

In 2005, a family of four was considered to be living in poverty if they were making $19,806. That’s $1650 a month.

Where does that money go?

• “Affordable housing” guidelines suggest families spend up to 33% of their income on housing. This means a family with a total income near the poverty threshold should spend $6500-or about $540/month-on housing. Fair market rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Rice County was about $670.
• Utility Bills
• Transportation
• Food

Want more information?  check out this link to the Minnesota Housing Partnership on Rice County information