Rapid City, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rapid City, South Dakota had a total population of 77,946, the 2nd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $70,870, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Rapid City is the 2nd largest city in South Dakota with a population of 77,946.
Rapid City Quick Facts
How Rapid City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 77,946 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $65,712 | $70,870 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $270,000 | $299,400 | +10.9% |
How Rapid City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rapid City Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | 7.5% | $302,100 |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | 4.5% | $255,500 |
| Colonial Pine Hills | 2,609 | $98,696 | 0.2% | $406,500 |
| Green Valley | 1,642 | $81,582 | 1.0% | $280,300 |
| Ashland Heights | 1,105 | $57,353 | 30.7% | $219,600 |
| Hill City | 834 | $95,385 | 2.6% | $286,200 |
| Johnson Siding | 704 | $102,716 | 10.2% | $471,700 |
| Wall | 622 | $58,984 | 8.8% | $164,800 |
| New Underwood | 509 | $56,250 | 25.8% | $193,800 |
| Keystone | 336 | $64,702 | 6.9% | $263,900 |
Cities Similar to Rapid City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 201,469 | $75,970 | $292,400 | 38.1% | 9.6% |
| Aberdeen | 28,189 | $64,405 | $217,300 | 35.0% | 13.8% |
| Watertown | 23,044 | $69,600 | $229,400 | 21.6% | 9.0% |
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | $265,500 | 47.5% | 16.9% |
| Yankton | 15,540 | $67,804 | $222,700 | 33.2% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Rapid City is a mid-sized community located in South Dakota, within Pennington County. The total population is 77,946. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rapid City is 39.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rapid City is $70,870. This is 6% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $299,400. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rapid City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%.
Education
37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rapid City, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rapid City, South Dakota?
Rapid City, South Dakota has a population of 77,946 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rapid City, SD?
The median household income in Rapid City is $70,870, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rapid City, SD?
The poverty rate in Rapid City is 12.5%. This means approximately 9,342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rapid City, South Dakota?
Rapid City's population is 76.3% White, 1.2% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rapid City, SD?
The median home value in Rapid City is $299,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Rapid City, South Dakota?
37.0% of adults (25+) in Rapid City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.