Faribault ( ) is a city in Rice County, Minnesota, United States. It is the county seat. The population was 23,352 at the 2010 census. Faribault is approximately south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highways 3, 21, and 60 are four of the main routes in the community. Faribault is situated at the confluence of the Cannon and Straight Rivers in southern Minnesota.