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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Rapid City

South Dakota · 59,607 residents · 55.067 sq mi
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The short version

Rapid City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $35,978. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $85,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 34.8
US median: 35.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
59,607
+9%since 1990
from 54,523 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,082 / sq mi
+9%since 1990
from 990 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
34.8
+13%since 1990
from 30.9 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
52K59K66K73K80K1990201020202024Rapid City
202478K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,978
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,740 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,445
+56%since 1990
from $12,469 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
12.7%
−0.9 ptssince 1990
from 13.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,500
+15%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $56,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$496
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $396 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
59.3%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 57.3% in 1990
40.7% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+8%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rapid City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic88.2%(48,091)
Black1.2%(668)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(1,195)
Asian1%(521)
Diversity Score30.7%(16,731)
2000
White, non-Hispanic83.2%(49,621)
Black0.9%(550)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(1,650)
Asian1%(586)
Diversity Score12.8%(7,620)
Diversity Score
13
−58%since 1990
from 31 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+3.4 ptssince 1990
from 23.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
87.3%
+2.3 ptssince 1990
from 84.9% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 7.0% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.1 min
−37%since 1990
from 16.1 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Rapid City

Cicero
Pop 81,858
Boynton Beach
Pop 82,396
Miami Beach
Pop 81,594
Caldwell
Pop 76,629
Places similar to Rapid City
Head to head

Compare Rapid City to nearby cities

RAPID CITY VS
Box Elder
Income$73,008+103%
Home value$302,100+253%
Population13,936−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAPID CITY VS
Spearfish
Income$65,688+83%
Home value$346,200+305%
Population14,154−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rapid City, South Dakota?

Rapid City, South Dakota has about 59,607 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Rapid City, South Dakota?

The typical household in Rapid City, South Dakota earns about $35,978 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rapid City, South Dakota expensive?

In Rapid City, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $85,500, and the typical rent is about $496 a month.

How educated are people in Rapid City, South Dakota?

About 26.7% of adults age 25 and over in Rapid City, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rapid City, South Dakota?

About 12.7% of people in Rapid City, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rapid City, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Rapid City, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,084 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →