Median Income
$65,438
13% lower than US avg
Home Value
$212,500
25% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
13.0%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$987
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment
4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate
8.4%
32% lower than US avg
How Rapid City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population1,315
Median Age51.6 yrs
Density243/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Economy
B+
Median Income$65,438
Per Capita$31,757
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty8.4%
County GDP$839M
Commute25 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$212,500
Rent$987
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$352,531
Health
Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.1%
Heart Disease5.7%
Climate
Avg Temp43°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.7 in/yr
Elevation617 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+13.0%
High School+94.6%
School Score5.23
Community
2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute25 min
EV Stations1
Libraries1
Is Rapid City a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Rapid City receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Rapid City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Rapid City is $65,438, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Rapid City is $212,500, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $987 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Education
13.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.
Climate & Weather
Rapid City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.7 inches, including 132.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Rapid City has a population of 1,315 with a density of 243 people per square mile. The median age is 51.6 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 1.5% Hispanic.
Population
51.6yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Rapid City vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 98.8% |
| 26% above US avg |
| Spanish | 1.2% |
| 91% below US avg |
Social Characteristics
Rapid City vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Rapid City is $65,438, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Income: Rapid City vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $65,438 |
| 13% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $31,757 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,162 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $56,719 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 4.0% |
| 11% above US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% |
| 32% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 388 |
| County GDP | $839M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 32 |
| Healthcare | 24 |
| Retail | 64 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,661 |
| 33% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.19% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 24.8 min |
| Work from Home | 3.8% |
The median home value in Rapid City is $212,500, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $987 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $352,531.
Home Values
| Census Median | $212,500 |
| 25% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $352,531 |
| Median List Price | $214,900 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $214,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $102 |
| Homes Sold | 1 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 93.7% |
| Price Drops | 0.0% |
| Inventory | 6 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $987 |
| 15% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $807 |
| 1 Bedroom | $891 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,113 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,419 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,588 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,661 |
| 33% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.19% |
In Rapid City, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.1% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Rapid City vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 36.4% |
| 13% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 9.3% |
| Heart Disease | 5.7% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.6% |
| Asthma | 11.8% |
| COPD | 7.2% |
| Stroke | 2.9% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 18.9% |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.5% |
| Depression | 29.1% |
| Mental Distress | 19.7% |
| Physical Distress | 13.4% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 88.1% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 77.2% |
| Premature Death | 9,139/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 43.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 24 |
Crime Rates: Rapid City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 4 |
Safety Score
Rapid City has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 43.0°F |
| 20% below US avg |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 33.7 inches |
| 11% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 132.1 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 617 ft (188 m) |
| Area | 5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 243/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.8384°N, 85.2898°W |
| County FIPS | 26079 |