Little Rice, WI

The town of Little Rice is located in Oneida County. It encompasses 73.6 square miles. The town maintains 87 miles of town roads. Residents have access to the town transfer site located at the town hall which accepts regular refuse and sorted recyclables. Emergency response is provided by the Little Rice Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Services and the Oneida Country Sheriff’s Department.

History

There is archaeological evidence of American Indian settlement in two locations on public lands.

These areas are regulated by State and Federal governments.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.7 square miles (190.8 km2), of which, 68.1 square miles (176.4 km2) of it is land and 5.6 square miles (14.4 km2) of it (7.55%) is water.

Population

The population in Little Rice is 307. There are 5 people per square mile aka population density. The median age in Little Rice is 54.1, the US median age is 37.4. The number of people per household in Little Rice is 2.4, the US average of people per household is 2.6.

Family in Little Rice

  • 63.5% are married
  • 14.2% are divorced
  • 8.9% are married with children
  • 3.2% have children, but are single

Race in Little Rice

  • 98.7% are white
  • 0.0% are black
  • 0.0% are asian
  • 0.0% are native american
  • 0.0% claim Other
  • 0.0% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
  • 1.3% Two or More Races
  • 0.0% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,750, and the median income for a family was $44,531. Males had a median income of $30,893 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,659. About 2.3% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Little Rice, the county and surrounding communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services.

The Town of Little Rice is composed of one county highway and local roads. County Highways (CTH) County Highway Y Town Roads 37 Local town roads.

Schools

No public educational facilities currently exist within the Town of Little Rice. Such services are currently provided by the Tomahawk School District with advanced educational opportunities available via Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander. 

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Little Rice: 

  • Northcentral Technical College (about 47 miles; Wausau, WI; Full-time enrollment: 3,356) 
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (about 78 miles; Stevens Point, WI; FT enrollment: 9,089) 
  • Mid-State Technical College (about 87 miles; Wisconsin Rapids, WI; FT enrollment: 2,128) 
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (about 100 miles; Eau Claire, WI; FT enrollment: 10,143) 
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College (about 100 miles; Eau Claire, WI; FT enrollment: 4,038) 
  • Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (about 101 miles; Shell Lake, WI; FT enrollment: 2,414) 
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout (about 114 miles; Menomonie, WI; FT enrollment: 8,120)

Healthcare

Hospitals and medical centers near Little Rice: 

  • SACRED HEART HSPTL Critical Access Hospitals (about 12 miles away; TOMAHAWK, WI) 
  • GOLDEN LIVINGCENTER-RIVERVIEW (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; TOMAHAWK, WI) 
  • SACRED HEART HOSPITAL (Hospital, about 13 miles away; TOMAHAWK, WI) 
  • GOLDEN LIVINGCENTER-GOLDEN AGE (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; TOMAHAWK, WI)

Outdoor Points of Interest

The town of Little Rice is home to an extensive system of trails for both ATV/UTV and snowmobile. ATV trails are open from Memorial Day weekend through the end of November. Snowmobile trails are opened when sufficient snow is present and run until March 15.

The Town has approximately many miles of trails which fluctuate with ongoing coordinated efforts to expand these resources, e.g. snowmobile, all terrain vehicle (ATVs), designated hunting and walking trails. The trail systems are a historically important cultural resource within the Town that supports the recreational and economic base that will be continued in the coordinated planning process.

Great Lakes or Chains

The Town of Little Rice is affected by 3 flowages and 3 dams, one of which is outside Town borders.

These include:

Lake Killarney and Dam and nearby facilities, including a boat launch, swimming area and adjoining parking lot which are owned and maintained by the Town; the Willow Flowage and Dam, which is owned and maintained by Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company, and several boat launches owned and maintained by the Wisconsin DNR. Much of the land surrounding the Willow Flowage is owned by the State of Wisconsin. 

The Rice Flowage/Lake Nokomis is created by a dam, located within the Town of Bradley, Lincoln County. The dam is owned and managed by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company.

Other features within the Town include Bass Lake, Burrow’s Lake and the Rice Flowage/Lake Nokomis, which lies partly within Town borders. Each of these waters is accessed via DNR owned and managed boat launches and may be adjoined by other public facilities as well. The Town anticipates Coordination with all other governing units and regulatory agencies regarding any changes affecting public access and use of these various resources.

There are three lakes, Bass Lake, Gobbler Lake and Burrows Lake located within the Town of Little Rice.

Bass Lake. Bass Lake is a 60 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 21 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish and Largemouth Bass.

Gobbler Lake. Gobler Lake is a 19 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 8 feet. Fish include Panfish.

Burrows Lake. Burrows Lake is a 149 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 28 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish and Largemouth Bass.

Art Centers, Community Centers, and ETC

The Town owns a 10-acre parcel of land that includes the Town Hall, Town office, Fire Department, Town Garage, and a pavilion currently available for public use.

The Town of Little Rice’s administrative facilities are located at the Town of Little Rice Municipal Building and Volunteer Fire Department, 3737 County Road Y, Tomahawk, 54487. The Municipal Building (Town Hall) is used for Town business and monthly Town meetings held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM unless otherwise posted. The building also is used by the Volunteer Fire Dept. for meetings, training, equipment storage, and other Fire Dept. activities. The building is used occasionally for community and private events as well.

Average Home Price Sold

2018 Ave Price Sold: $203,428.57

2021 Ave Price Sold: $289,804.17

2023 Ave Price Sold: $258,557.14

To find out more about Onedia county and all the wonderful things that the Northwoods has to offer click here.