Rapid Valley, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rapid Valley, South Dakota had a total population of 6,975, the 16th largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $83,208, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
Rapid Valley Quick Facts
How Rapid Valley 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 | 7,153 | 6,975 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $85,217 | $83,208 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $226,300 | $255,500 | +12.9% |
How Rapid Valley 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 Valley Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 77,946 | $70,870 | 12.5% | $299,400 |
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | 7.5% | $302,100 |
| 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 Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | 6,786 | $120,139 | $351,100 | 47.1% | 4.7% |
| Sturgis | 7,086 | $54,404 | $271,200 | 24.4% | 9.2% |
| Madison | 6,094 | $65,593 | $193,100 | 34.4% | 9.5% |
| Belle Fourche | 5,804 | $65,071 | $222,500 | 17.1% | 10.6% |
| Harrisburg | 8,519 | $108,724 | $312,200 | 43.8% | 0.5% |
Population Overview
Rapid Valley is a small city located in South Dakota, within Pennington County. The total population is 6,975. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rapid Valley is 43.2 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rapid Valley is $83,208. This is 11% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $255,500. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 92.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rapid Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 3.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 1.4%).
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rapid Valley, 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 Valley, South Dakota?
Rapid Valley, South Dakota has a population of 6,975 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rapid Valley, SD?
The median household income in Rapid Valley is $83,208, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rapid Valley, SD?
The poverty rate in Rapid Valley is 4.5%. This means approximately 309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rapid Valley, South Dakota?
Rapid Valley's population is 75.8% White, 1.2% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rapid Valley, SD?
The median home value in Rapid Valley is $255,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Rapid Valley, South Dakota?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Rapid Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.