Rapid City Area Information

Rapid City, the Gateway City to Mt. Rushmore National Monument, is South Dakota’s second-largest city and rests amid the State’s (and the country’s) oldest mountain range – the Black Hills. Rapid City was founded by gold miners in 1876, and was named after Rapid Creek, which runs through the city.

Agriculture, tourism, mining, logging, professional services/retail, and Ellsworth Air Force Base are the major contributors in Rapid City's economy. The area is also known for the manufacture of high-value, low-bulk items that can be swiftly shipped to market or assembly centers in other parts of the nation.

Agriculture is the major industry in South Dakota, and Rapid City is the regional trade center for farm-ranch activity in the southwest part of the state and neighboring counties in Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Cattle and sheep production dominate the agricultural scene. Services offered to area farmers and ranchers include sales of new and used farm equipment, spare parts and repairs, and flour milling.

The health care sector is strong, employing more than 8,000 people in the Black Hills region at major health care facilities such as Rapid City Regional Hospital. Other important industrial and employment institutions include several large construction companies, rock quarries, steel fabrication firms, and trucking firms. Regional or headquarters facilities of many state and federal offices also operate in the city.

Centrally located in the beautiful Black Hills region, Rapid City benefits from a large annual tourist trade. Five of the country's most famous national park areas are located within a half-day drive of Rapid City: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Devil's Tower National Monument, Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Wind Cave National Park. The area boasts of a variety of restaurants, several large annual events and attractions, more than 4,400 hotel/motel rooms and many modern campgrounds.

Ellsworth Air Force Base, the largest employer in the area, contributes a multi-million dollar boost to Rapid City’s economy.

City Overview

As of 2008, Rapid City's population was 70,092. Rapid City MSA population is 120,000. The Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Pennington and Meade counties.

In 2007, Rapid City was ranked seventh by Forbes Magazine as one of the nation’s best small metropolitan cities for starting a business or career*.
*Rapid City Economic Development, http://www.rapiddevelopment.com/pdf/CommunityProfile.pdf

Economy

The income per capita is $22,001. The median household income is $39,437*.
*Sperling's, www.bestplaces.net/city/Rapid_City-South_Dakota.aspx#

Rapid City’s sales tax rate is 6 percent. South Dakota does not have a personal or corporate income tax.

Employment

The unemployment rate in Rapid City is 4.8 percent* (U.S. average is 9.4%).
*SD Dept. of Labor

Housing

The median home cost in Rapid City is $141,090.*
*Sperling’s, www.bestplaces.net/city/Rapid_City-South_Dakota.aspx

Renters make up 40.7 percent of the Rapid City population.*
US Census 2000

Education

Rapid City schools spend $4,465 per student. The student to staff ratio is 16.6*.
*Rapid City Economic Development, http://www.rapiddevelopment.com/pdf/CommunityProfile.pdf

Recreation

For outdoor enthusiasts, Rapid City and the Black Hills area offers many opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, and golfing. The Mickelson Trail and Centennial offer great hiking and mountain biking. Fish for trout in Canyon Lake and Rapid Creek, or go boating in the nearby lakes of Pactola Reservoir, Sheridan Lake and Angostura Lake. Winter sports include skiing and snowboarding at the area ski resorts, Terry Peak and Deer Mountain. In addition, there are many snowmobile and cross-country ski trails throughout the area. See Black Hills Area Activities for more information.

Climate

Rapid City gets an average of 18 inches of rain per year. Average annual snowfall is 37 inches. On average, there are 226 sunny days per year in Rapid City. The average July high is around 86 degrees. The average January low is 12 degrees. Click here for more Rapid City climate information.

Rapid City and Black Hills Area Maps

Need a Rapid City map? Or a Black Hills area map? Check out these maps... Easy to print out and take with you to find your place to rent!