Riceville is a community of 900 friendly people. It is located in Northeast Iowa where life is centered on a strong rural economy. It has quiet, affordable living, choice building lots and industrial sites, municipal services, local LP gas service, local fuel oil service, a volunteer fire department, EMT and ambulance service, full-time police department, retirement complexes, real estate and auction service, local accountants, full service bank and insurance agency, a community center, and so much more.

It is a safe environment for children, and also offers many benefits for children. There is a head start, community preschool, private day care providers, a summer recreation program, city park and playground, and a school DARE program.

Riceville provides many of the services of a larger community. A few of the locally owned businesses are: construction contractors, newspaper, auto dealership, veterinarian, locker, convenience stores, floral shop, beauty salons, barber shops, restaurants, and so much more.

Lake Hendricks provides a great recreation center for everyone, for as fishing, swimming, etc. There is a full time park attendant, over 200 camping sites, 2 shelters, boating, nature trails, and playground equipment. There are other community recreation sites as well, such as tennis courts, a softball field, a 9-hole golf course, plentiful deer and pheasant hunting, and many others.

Riceville is known as the hub of Northeast Iowa. It is located on Iowa Highway 9, 15 miles from U.S. Highway 63, 50 miles from I-35, and 30 miles from I-90. There is definitely no reason not to stop by and give Riceville a try.


link to city of Riceville

A unique characteristic of Riceville is that the town is located in both Howard and Mitchell County. Riceville was settled and platted in 1855 by Dennis Rice and his family. Rice was searching for a mill site when he purchased an area of land with a spring for the cost of five dollars.

An election to incorporate the town was held in November on 1892 in which 156 ballots were cast. The election resulted in N.W. Jewett as Riceville's first mayor.

A great addition to Riceville was Lake Hendricks. This 130-acre area was a gift from E.K. and Mildred Hendricks and his sister Alice H. McIntyre. The construction of two dams allows for the presence of a 50-acre lake which is stocked with numerous fish and today used for camping, fishing, and picnicking.

As an honor to Riceville community and its long heritage, in May of 1995 the city was rated top ten percent of governments in the nation in using its financial resources.

Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks in Riceville is a great place to camp, swim, fish, and relax. The campground is maintained by the Howard County Conservation Center. Enjoy a weekend at Riceville by using their recreational trails, and enjoying the great outdoors! Click here for more information!

Stage Curtains
Five rare stage curtains that were used in the early 1900s in the Brown Opera House in Riceville now hang in the Riceville Public Library and are available for viewing. The full size vaudeville curtains, painted as scenery and as advertisements, were restored in 1980 at the most $18,000. The unusual full size curtains hang on a stage that is a facsimile of the old opera house.