City · South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City, city, in Pennington County, South Dakota. Rapid City had 80,589 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 74,703 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 77,946 (±44). GEOID 4652980.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
80,589
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 74,703 · ACS 2020-2024: 77,946 ±44
Median household income
$70,870
±$3,555 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$299,400
±$7,825 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$1,109
±$48 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
Where is Rapid City and what county is it in?
Rapid City is a city in Pennington County, South Dakota. It covers 56.0 square miles of land, 1,335 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rapid City is in the Rapid City, SD metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rapid City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 80,589 people lived in Rapid City on July 1, 2025, up 7.8% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020 Census counted 74,703 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 77,946 (±44).
| Measure | Rapid City | Pennington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 77,946 ±44 | 113,512 | +2,688 |
| Households | 32,368 ±589 | 46,370 | +1,790 |
| Average household size | 2.30 ±0.04 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 35,577 ±459 | 51,681 | +2,715 |
Rapid City's population since 2000
From 59,607 in 2000 to 80,589 in 2025: up 35.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rapid City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rapid City?
The median resident of Rapid City is 39.1 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 20.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.4%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rapid City | Pennington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 ±0.7 | 40.1 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0% ±0.7 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.7% ±0.8 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Male | 50.9% ±0.6 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.1% ±0.7 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.3% ±1.1 pts | 77.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.3 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 7.1% ±0.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.4% ±1.0 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6% ±0.5 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.8% ±0.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.5% ±1.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.4% ±1.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8% ±1.1 pts | 10.2% | −1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5% ±0.7 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.0% ±1.4 pts | 34.6% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.3% ±1.3 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.6% ±1.7 pts | 83.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.1% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rapid City earn?
Half of Rapid City's 32,368 households earn less than $70,870 a year (±$3,555), against $74,517 in Pennington County and $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $64,428 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,442 after inflation. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rapid City | Pennington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,870 ±$3,555 | $74,517 | +$6,442 |
| Mean household income | $96,820 ±$5,348 | $99,289 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,204 ±$2,202 | $42,302 | +$3,685 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5% ±1.4 pts | 11.2% | −3.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.1% ±3.4 pts | 15.2% | −6.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4% ±1.1 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.6% ±1.1 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3% ±1.3 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rapid City?
Owners occupy 62.9% of Rapid City's occupied homes and renters 37.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $299,400 by its owner (±$7,825). The median renter pays $1,109 a month including utilities, and 33.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rapid City | Pennington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $299,400 ±$7,825 | $302,200 | +$72,091 |
| Median gross rent | $1,109 ±$48 | $1,120 | +$79 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.9% ±3.8 pts | 33.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,743 ±$58 | $1,803 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.9% ±1.6 pts | 69.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.1% ±1.6 pts | 30.7% | – |
| Housing units | 35,577 ±459 | 51,681 | +2,715 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3% ±2.1 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.0% ±1.7 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.6% ±0.6 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.5% ±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.6% ±1.4 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.4% ±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.0% ±0.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rapid City building?
Builders took permits for 326 new housing units in Rapid City in 2025 (230 in single-family houses), 4.0 per 1,000 residents against 5.7 across South Dakota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rapid City work and get to work?
76.7% of Rapid City's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Rapid City | Pennington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.9% ±1.3 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6% ±0.6 pts | 3.2% | −3.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.7% ±1.9 pts | 77.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3% ±1.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0% ±1.4 pts | 9.6% | +5.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.5 min ±1.2 | 19.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rapid City?
18 census tracts lie mostly in Rapid City, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $31,167 (Tract 102.02) to $137,159 (Tract 110.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 110.02Pennington County | 7,194 | $89,809 |
| Tract 109.05Pennington County | 7,565 | $82,685 |
| Tract 114Pennington County | 8,347 | $59,886 |
| Tract 109.04Pennington County | 4,921 | $84,125 |
| Tract 110.04Pennington County | 8,088 | $137,159 |
| Tract 107Pennington County | 3,892 | $49,375 |
| Tract 113Pennington County | 6,717 | $95,304 |
| Tract 108Pennington County | 3,797 | $56,268 |
| Tract 104Pennington County | 3,511 | $48,281 |
| Tract 103Pennington County | 3,498 | $49,565 |
| Tract 106Pennington County | 3,471 | $53,360 |
| Tract 112Pennington County | 3,122 | $79,045 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rapid City) · Census block assignment files
How does Rapid City compare with other places in South Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rapid City is the 462nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 2nd-most populous of 310 in South Dakota.
Rapid City ranks 42nd of 82 places in South Dakota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 2nd | 310 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 18th | 73 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th | 84 |
| Median household income | 42nd | 82 |
| Per capita income | 24th | 83 |
| Median home value | 20th | 81 |
| Median gross rent | 12th | 72 |
| Poverty rate | 24th | 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th | 81 |
| Median age | 46th | 83 |
| Owner-occupied share | 59th | 84 |
| Work from home | 16th | 44 |
| Travel time to work | 36th | 84 |
Rapid City's figures with every place in South Dakota (CSV)
Every place in South Dakota, sortable · Compare Rapid City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rapid City?
3 of the 57 figures for Rapid City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rapid City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rapid City.