County · South Dakota
Pennington County, South Dakota
Pennington County, South Dakota. Pennington County had 116,792 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.9% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 34 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs, 20 towns and townships and 6 census-designated) and 25 census tracts. GEOID 46103.
Pennington County is one of the 3 counties of the Rapid City, SD metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
116,792
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 109,222 · ACS 2020-2024: 113,512
Median household income
$74,517
±$2,445 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$302,200
±$9,091 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$1,120
±$40 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Pennington County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 109,222 residents in Pennington County. The Census Bureau estimates 116,792 for July 1, 2025, up 6.9% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 113,512 over 2,777 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pennington County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 113,512 | 907,428 | +2,827 |
| Households | 46,370±532 | 365,544 | +2,296 |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.03 | 2.39 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 51,681±155 | 408,584 | +2,996 |
Pennington County's population since 2000
From 88,565 in 2000 to 116,792 in 2025: up 31.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Pennington County?
Pennington County holds 34 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 20 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Rapid City with 80,589 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Rapid City | 74,703 | $70,870 |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Valley | 8,098 | $83,208 |
| Box Elder | 11,746 | $73,008 |
| Colonial Pine HillsGEOID 4613355 | 1,903 | $98,696 |
| Green ValleyGEOID 4626035 | 1,051 | $81,582 |
| Hill City | 872 | $95,385 |
| Wall | 699 | $58,984 |
| Ashland HeightsGEOID 4602530 | 678 | $57,353 |
| Johnson SidingGEOID 4632820 | 614 | $102,716 |
| New UnderwoodGEOID 4645060 | 590 | $56,250 |
| KeystoneGEOID 4633820 | 240 | $64,702 |
| Scenic TownshipGEOID 4610357820 | 75 | $42,115 |
| WastaGEOID 4669140 | 65 | $34,375 |
| QuinnGEOID 4652500 | 63 | $79,000 |
| Fairview Township, Pennington CountyGEOID 4610320900 | 57 | not published |
| Lake Creek TownshipGEOID 4610335280 | 46 | not published |
| Huron TownshipGEOID 4610331100 | 42 | $87,500 |
| Lake Hill TownshipGEOID 4610335420 | 37 | $117,917 |
| Peno TownshipGEOID 4610349140 | 35 | not published |
| Cedar Butte TownshipGEOID 4610310820 | 34 | not published |
| Lake Flat TownshipGEOID 4610335300 | 33 | $111,042 |
| CaputaGEOID 4609780 | 32 | not published |
| Castle Butte TownshipGEOID 4610310380 | 31 | not published |
| Shyne TownshipGEOID 4610358660 | 25 | not published |
| Rainy Creek/Cheyenne TownshipGEOID 4610352720 | 23 | not published |
| Crooked Creek TownshipGEOID 4610314700 | 23 | not published |
| Owanka TownshipGEOID 4610347980 | 22 | not published |
| Wasta TownshipGEOID 4610369180 | 21 | not published |
| Ash Township, Pennington CountyGEOID 4610302520 | 19 | not published |
| Imlay TownshipGEOID 4610331420 | 13 | $2,500 or less |
| Sunnyside TownshipGEOID 4610362340 | 12 | not published |
| Quinn TownshipGEOID 4610352540 | 12 | not published |
| Flat Butte TownshipGEOID 4610321660 | 10 | not published |
| Conata TownshipGEOID 4610313620 | 7 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Pennington County?
The median resident of Pennington County is 40.1 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.5%. 2.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pennington County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1±0.3 | 38.0 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0% | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±0.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7% | 4.8% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.8%±0.5 pts | 79.8% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 6.0%±0.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.5%±0.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.4%±0.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.3%±1.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.6%±1.0 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.2%±0.8 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.6%±0.7 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.6%±1.3 pts | 31.9% | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.7%±0.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.6%±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
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 Pennington County earn?
Half of Pennington County's 46,370 households earn less than $74,517 a year (±$2,445), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,198 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,319 after inflation. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pennington County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,517±$2,445 | $75,081 | +$4,319 |
| Mean household income | $99,289±$3,964 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,302±$1,644 | $40,550 | +$3,075 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2%±1.2 pts | 11.9% | −2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.2%±2.5 pts | 14.3% | −6.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.1%±0.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.6%±1.1 pts | 89.6% | – |
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 Pennington County?
Owners occupy 69.3% of Pennington County's occupied homes and renters 30.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $302,200 by its owner (±$9,091). The median renter pays $1,120 a month including utilities, and 33.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pennington County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $302,200±$9,091 | $257,400 | +$71,076 |
| Median gross rent | $1,120±$40 | $946 | +$84 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.9%±3.5 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,803±$47 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.3%±1.4 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 51,681±155 | 408,584 | +2,996 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1%±1.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.3%±1.3 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.7%±1.0 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.4%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.5%±0.9 pts | 15.8% | – |
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 Pennington County building?
Builders took permits for 563 new housing units across Pennington County in 2025 (465 single-family), 4.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Pennington County get to work?
77.4% of Pennington County's workers drive alone and 9.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Pennington County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.4%±1.1 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±1.6 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±1.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.6%±1.1 pts | 9.7% | +4.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.4 min±1.1 | 17.8 min | +1.5 min |
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 are Pennington County's census tracts?
Pennington County is divided into 25 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,167 (Tract 102.02) to $137,159 (Tract 110.04).
All 25 census tracts of Pennington County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pennington County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 10th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 66 |
| Median household income | 24th of 66 |
| Median home value | 5th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 30th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 66 |
| Median age | 40th of 66 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Pennington County 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' school search.