Rapid City city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Rapid City city, South Dakota has a total population of 76,836, the 2nd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $65,712, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Rapid City city is the 2nd largest city in South Dakota with a population of 76,836.
Rapid City city Quick Facts
How Rapid City city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rapid City city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder city | 12,457 | $73,698 | 7.4% | $271,800 |
| Hill City city | 699 | $85,714 | 3.9% | $246,700 |
| New Underwood city | 538 | $54,167 | 23.5% | $188,700 |
| Keystone town | 404 | $62,159 | 11.1% | $188,800 |
| Hermosa town | 296 | $53,194 | 14.9% | $108,800 |
| Fairview town | 95 | $69,464 | 17.9% | $129,200 |
| Wasta town | 77 | $45,000 | 7.8% | $111,500 |
| Quinn town | 76 | $95,795 | 0.0% | $104,200 |
Cities Similar to Rapid City city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls city | 197,642 | $74,714 | $271,400 | 37.4% | 9.6% |
| Aberdeen city | 28,297 | $63,715 | $205,500 | 33.6% | 12.9% |
| Brookings city | 23,710 | $61,979 | $243,600 | 49.7% | 16.1% |
| Watertown city | 22,859 | $62,721 | $212,300 | 21.2% | 10.7% |
| Yankton city | 15,501 | $69,071 | $202,300 | 30.2% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Rapid City city is a mid-sized community located in South Dakota, within Pennington County. The total population is 76,836. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rapid City city is 39.0 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rapid City city is $65,712. This is 9% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 10% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $270,000. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rapid City city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%.
Education
36.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rapid City city, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rapid City city, South Dakota?
Rapid City city, South Dakota has a population of 76,836 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rapid City city, SD?
The median household income in Rapid City city is $65,712, which is 16% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Rapid City city, SD?
The poverty rate in Rapid City city is 13.3%. This means approximately 9,760 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rapid City city, South Dakota?
Rapid City city's population is 76.8% White, 1.5% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rapid City city, SD?
The median home value in Rapid City city is $270,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Rapid City city, South Dakota?
36.4% of adults (25+) in Rapid City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.