South DakotaPop. 6,975Towns
Is Rapid Valley a Good Place to Live? Rapid Valley, South Dakota: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Rapid Valley ranks #715 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #119 of 234 towns and #11 of 20 in South Dakota. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.5%, #27 of 234), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
Rapid Valley by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Rapid Valley's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Rapid Valley: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Rapid Valley safe?
What is the cost of living in Rapid Valley?
Rapid Valley's cost of living index is 89.2, 11% below the US level of 100 and #177 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,174/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $255,500.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 89.2#177 of 1,308 | 88.6 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $255,500#404 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,174/mo#412 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 3.1x#230 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 16.9%#144 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Is Rapid Valley safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Rapid Valley alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Rapid Valley crime rate or rank it on safety. South Dakota as a whole records 308 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Rapid Valley?
The median household in Rapid Valley earns $83,208, in line with the US figure of $83,163 and 8% above South Dakota ($76,881). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $83,208#560 of 1,312 | $76,881 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 4.5%#77 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Rapid Valley?
The median resident of Rapid Valley is 43.2 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 19.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1174 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 92.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 43.2 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 19.8%#1174 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 92.3% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Rapid Valley's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Rapid Valley to describe its public schools. 33.9% of adults are obese and 10.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 33.9%#694 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 10.4%#479 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 16%#410 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 8.4%#432 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Rapid Valley?
The average commute in Rapid Valley is 19.8 minutes (South Dakota 18.5); 0% of workers take transit and 9.2% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Rapid Valley scores 7.1 of 20 (below average walkable), #1228 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 69.3°F and winters 25.3°F, with 17.4 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 19.8 min#327 of 1,312 | 18.5 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 7%#835 of 1,312 | 4.4% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 81.5% | 78.1% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 0.2% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1.9% | 3% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.3% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 9.2% | 8% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 7.1#1228 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36 | 12.7 | 0.3 |
| Feb | 38.1 | 14 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 48.2 | 22.6 | 0.9 |
| Apr | 56.6 | 31.2 | 2.1 |
| May | 66.5 | 41.7 | 3.5 |
| Jun | 77.6 | 51.6 | 2.9 |
| Jul | 86.4 | 58.5 | 2.3 |
| Aug | 85.4 | 56.2 | 1.6 |
| Sep | 76.1 | 46.4 | 1.2 |
| Oct | 60.4 | 33.7 | 1.4 |
| Nov | 47.3 | 21.9 | 0.5 |
| Dec | 37.2 | 13.9 | 0.4 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Rapid City Rgnl Airport.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 46.7°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 69.3°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 25.3°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 17.4 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Rapid City Rgnl Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Rapid Valley?
Pennington County's air had a median air quality index of 32, and 78% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Pennington County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, hail, and winter weather, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, higher than 51% of US counties.
| Measure | Rapid Valley | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 32#85 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 1#309 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.15%#686 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Pennington County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Pennington County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.036% | 94% of counties |
| Hail | 0.014% | 90% of counties |
| Winter weather | 0.0012% | 81% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.0016% | 70% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.077% | 45% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0016% | 37% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0036% | 31% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Rapid Valley compare with similar-size cities?
Rapid Valley is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #119 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 6,975.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Valley, SDPop. 6,975 | #715 | 54.8 | $83,208 | $1,174/mo | no data | 19.8 min |
| Lander, WYPop. 7,432 | #699 | 55.0 | $74,813 | $896/mo | part year | 13.6 min |
| Caribou, MEPop. 7,382 | #615 | 56.5 | $53,709 | $757/mo | 82 | 14.7 min |
| Kingston, RIPop. 7,332 | #215 | 64.1 | $107,404 | — | no data | 18.4 min |
| Devils Lake, NDPop. 7,308 | #1006 | 50.0 | $43,220 | $711/mo | 191 | 12.1 min |
| Lockwood, MTPop. 7,181 | #1061 | 48.7 | $75,700 | $1,138/mo | no data | 21.3 min |
| Pike Creek, DEPop. 7,129 | #89 | 68.8 | $139,635 | $2,262/mo | no data | 29 min |
| St. Albans, VTPop. 6,954 | #818 | 53.1 | $57,980 | $1,150/mo | 735 | 22.6 min |
| Gateway, AKPop. 6,845 | #206 | 64.4 | $137,772 | $1,741/mo | no data | 34.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Rapid Valley compare with the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid Valley ranks #11 of the 20 South Dakota cities we track, with a score of 54.8 against South Dakota's statewide 79.3. Its households earn 8% above the South Dakota median.
| City | Rank in SD | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon, SDPop. 10,996 | #1 | 70.0 | $110,806 | $976/mo | 46 |
| Tea, SDPop. 6,786 | #2 | 69.8 | $120,139 | $1,220/mo | 169 |
| Dakota Dunes, SDPop. 3,936 | #3 | 68.7 | $136,125 | $1,225/mo | no data |
| Harrisburg, SDPop. 8,519 | #4 | 62.7 | $108,724 | $1,362/mo | no data |
| Sioux Falls, SDPop. 201,469 | #5 | 61.9 | $75,970 | $1,035/mo | 364 |
| Aberdeen, SDPop. 28,189 | #6 | 59.8 | $64,405 | $762/mo | 425 |
| Brookings, SDPop. 23,948 | #7 | 56.9 | $63,493 | $889/mo | 113 |
| Watertown, SDPop. 23,044 | #8 | 55.7 | $69,600 | $942/mo | 181 |
| Madison, SDPop. 6,094 | #9 | 55.7 | $65,593 | $981/mo | 99 |
| Spearfish, SDPop. 12,930 | #10 | 55.1 | $65,688 | $963/mo | 232 |
| Rapid Valley, SDPop. 6,975 | #11 | 54.8 | $83,208 | $1,174/mo | no data |
| Yankton, SDPop. 15,540 | #12 | 53.9 | $67,804 | $790/mo | 191 |
| Pierre, SDPop. 13,948 | #13 | 53.5 | $77,672 | $983/mo | 561 |
| Mitchell, SDPop. 15,649 | #14 | 52.8 | $58,620 | $851/mo | 288 |
| Box Elder, SDPop. 12,902 | #15 | 52.7 | $73,008 | $1,491/mo | 312 |
| Rapid City, SDPop. 77,946 | #16 | 52.1 | $70,870 | $1,109/mo | 767 |
| Huron, SDPop. 14,385 | #17 | 49.4 | $61,452 | $888/mo | 281 |
| Belle Fourche, SDPop. 5,804 | #18 | 49.1 | $65,071 | $983/mo | 254 |
| Vermillion, SDPop. 11,878 | #19 | 48.4 | $50,456 | $764/mo | 185 |
| Sturgis, SDPop. 7,086 | #20 | 47.6 | $54,404 | $780/mo | 329 |
All 20 South Dakota cities we track, by overall score. South Dakota statewide: median income $76,881, violent crime 307.5 per 100,000.
How is Rapid Valley's score calculated?
Rapid Valley scores 54.8 out of 100, #715 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with South Dakota's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Rapid Valley. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
41.9 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Rapid Valley. Similar-size median 56.5.
58.7 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Rapid Valley's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
79.1 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Rapid Valley. Similar-size median 50.8.
68.2 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Rapid Valley. Similar-size median 48.3.
44.1 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Rapid Valley's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
32.1 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
62.4 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Rapid Valley alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Rapid Valley.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Rapid Valley.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Rapid Valley's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Rapid Valley has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Rapid Valley
Is Rapid Valley, SD a good place to live?
Rapid Valley ranks #715 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #119 of 234 towns and #11 of 20 in South Dakota. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (4.5%, #27 of 234), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
What is the cost of living in Rapid Valley?
Rapid Valley's cost of living index is 89.2, 11% below the US level of 100 and #177 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,174/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $255,500.
Is Rapid Valley safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Rapid Valley alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Rapid Valley crime rate or rank it on safety. South Dakota as a whole records 308 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Rapid Valley?
The median household in Rapid Valley earns $83,208, in line with the US figure of $83,163 and 8% above South Dakota ($76,881). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Rapid Valley?
Median rent in Rapid Valley is $1,174/mo (Census), #412 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 16.9% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Rapid Valley?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Rapid Valley is $255,500, #404 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Rapid Valley?
We have too few school records for Rapid Valley to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Rapid Valley?
The average commute is 19.8 minutes, #327 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 18.5 minutes across South Dakota. 7% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Rapid Valley?
Rapid Valley averages 46.7°F over the year, 69.3°F in summer and 25.3°F in winter, with 17.4 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Rapid Valley walkable?
Rapid Valley scores 7.1 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1228 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Rapid Valley at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Pennington County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, hail, and winter weather, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, higher than 51% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Rapid Valley?
Pennington County's air had a median air quality index of 32, and 78% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Rapid Valley?
Rapid Valley has 6,975 residents. The median resident of Rapid Valley is 43.2 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 19.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1174 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 92.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Rapid Valley compare with the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid Valley ranks #11 of the 20 South Dakota cities we track, with a score of 54.8 against South Dakota's statewide 79.3. Its households earn 8% above the South Dakota median.
What cities are similar in size to Rapid Valley?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Rapid Valley's population of 6,975 are Lander, WY (#699 overall), Caribou, ME (#615 overall), Kingston, RI (#215 overall), Devils Lake, ND (#1006 overall), and Lockwood, MT (#1061 overall). Rapid Valley is #715.