Rice is a city in Navarro County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,203 at the 2020 census. The city's namesake is William Marsh Riceā¦Rice is a city in Navarro County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,203 at the 2020 census. The city's namesake is William Marsh Rice, who donated the land for a community school. He is the same person who founded Rice University. Its unofficial motto is "The city so nice, they named it Rice."