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Rapid City, SD
Full City Profile · South Dakota · Lawrence County County
3.4
/5.0
B
Good
76,836
Population
1,373/sq mi density
$65,712
Median Income
$40,447 per capita
$270,000
Home Value
$356,038 Zillow
$1,053
Median Rent
29.0% income on rent
48°F
Avg Temperature
276 sunny days/yr
707
Violent Crime/100K
3,214 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$65,712 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$270,000 home value, $1,053/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
707 violent crimes/100K (86% above avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Rapid City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 20.0 inches. The area receives 53.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.0°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,389 ft (1,033 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,373/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0711°N, 103.2179°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in |
Rapid City has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").