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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rapid City

South Dakota · 74,703 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 $53,760. Population has grown 25% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $194,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.4
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
74,703
+25%since 2000
from 59,607 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,357 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 1,082 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.4
+7%since 2000
from 34.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
52K59K66K73K80K1990201020202024Rapid City
202478K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,760
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,978 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,723
+63%since 2000
from $19,445 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.1%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$194,100
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$855
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $496 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
57.0%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 59.3% in 2000
43.0% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+52%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rapid City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.2%(49,621)
Black0.9%(550)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(1,650)
Asian1%(586)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.8%(7,620)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.9%(54,444)
Black1.4%(1,080)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(3,962)
Asian1.6%(1,188)
Other14.5%(10,848)
Diversity Score49.2%(36,788)
Diversity Score
49
+285%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.5%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 26.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.5%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+72%since 2000
from 10.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 69.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.0%
−28.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.1%
−75.0 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rapid City

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Head to head

Compare Rapid City to nearby cities

RAPID CITY VS
Box Elder
Income$73,008+36%
Home value$302,100+56%
Population13,936−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAPID CITY VS
Spearfish
Income$65,688+22%
Home value$346,200+78%
Population14,154−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rapid City, South Dakota?

Rapid City, South Dakota has about 74,703 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rapid City, South Dakota earns about $53,760 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 $194,100, and the typical rent is about $855 a month.

How educated are people in Rapid City, South Dakota?

About 33.5% 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 16.2% 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 20,180 residents, a change of about 37 percent over that period.

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

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