Rapid City, SD Metro Area

Rapid City, SD · Metro Area

152,950Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying), part of the Rapid City-Spearfish, SD combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $75,255
Median home value: $307,700
Land area: 7,804 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Pennington County, SD	Central	113,512	$74,517	$302,200
Meade County, SD	Outlying	30,546	$74,790	$310,900
Custer County, SD	Outlying	8,892	$84,112	$372,100

Largest cities and towns

54 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Rapid City, SD	City	77,946	$70,870
Box Elder, SD	City	12,902	$73,008
Sturgis, SD	City	7,086	$54,404
Rapid Valley, SD	CDP	6,975	$83,208
Summerset, SD	City	3,022	$119,271
Blackhawk, SD	CDP	2,934	$71,993
Colonial Pine Hills, SD	CDP	2,609	$98,696
Custer, SD	City	2,341	$78,369
Green Valley, SD	CDP	1,642	$81,582
Ashland Heights, SD	CDP	1,105	$57,353
Piedmont, SD	City	981	$53,866
Hill City, SD	City	834	$95,385
Johnson Siding, SD	CDP	704	$102,716
Blucksberg Mountain, SD	CDP	692	$89,500
Wall, SD	Town	622	$58,984
New Underwood, SD	City	509	$56,250
Hermosa, SD	Town	353	$53,203
Keystone, SD	Town	336	$64,702
Faith, SD	City	297	$47,083
Pringle, SD	Town	206	$39,583
Buffalo Gap, SD	Town	131	$54,063
Fairview, SD	—	102	$71,719
Cedar Butte, SD	—	77	$81,667
Wasta, SD	Town	70	$34,375
Fairburn, SD	Town	61	$41,250

Also in the Rapid City-Spearfish, SD combined area

Spearfish, SD · micro · 27,233

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Unemployment

3.1%

College Educated

33.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$75,255

Mean Household Income

$99,099

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

51.2%

Female

48.8%

Population Split

Male51.2%

Female48.8%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German29.6%

Irish13.2%

English11.1%

Mexican3.4%

French2.5%

Italian2.4%

Polish2.4%

Scottish2.3%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

2.3%Foreign Born

97.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized50.8%

Non-Citizen49.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later45.0%

Before 201055.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

69,843

Median Rent

$1,140/mo

Median Home Value

$307,700

Median Year Built

1985

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

32,569

College Enrollment

17.2%

High School

22.0%

College Educated

33.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

20.0 min

Drive Alone Rate

77.0%

Public Transit

0.3%

Work From Home

9.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.4%

18-34 Years

21.2%

35-64 Years

37.2%

65+ Years

20.2%

Population Composition

Under 1821.4%

18-3421.2%

35-6437.2%

65+20.2%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.5%

Single Parent

5.2%

Living Alone

30.8%

Avg Size

2.35

Household Types

Married Couples49.5%

Single Parent5.2%

Living Alone30.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$42,169

SNAP Usage

7.4%

Health Insurance

89.9%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k13.2%

$25k - $50k17.7%

$50k - $100k34.6%

$100k+34.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

5.9%

Retail Trade

11.9%

Education & Health Care

26.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

89.9%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.9%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

95.0%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

89.2

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

121.5

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?