Faribault is a city in, and the county seat of, Rice County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 24,453 at the 2020 census. Faribault is approximately 50 miles south of Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highways 3, 21, and 60 are the principal highways serving the city. Faribault is situated at the confluence of the Cannon and Straight Rivers in southern Minnesota.