Rapid City

Rapid City, South Dakota Overview

Rapid City scores 56.2/100 overall (B), ranking #8 of 20 cities in South Dakota — below the state composite of 81.8. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 79/100, while Education lags at 39/100.

Income & Employment in Rapid City

The median household income in Rapid City is $70,094, 3% below the statewide median of $72,280. The local unemployment rate of 1.7% is lower than the state’s 2%. Population grew 0.7% recently.

Cost of Living in Rapid City

Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $270,000. Median monthly rent is $1,053. Renters spend 18.0% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Rapid City

The adult obesity rate in Rapid City is 34% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 11.8%. Residents report an average of 16 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. South Dakota ranks #24 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Rapid City

Rapid City has a high school graduation rate of 77%. The student-teacher ratio is 16.1:1. Per-pupil spending is $10,377. The city has 22 public schools serving 12,018 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Rapid City

The annual average temperature in Rapid City is 52.3°F. Summers average 67.8°F. Winters average 33.9°F. Annual precipitation is 22.5 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions