Living in Rapid City, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rapid City · Census data 2020–2024
Rapid City has 1,328 residents with a median age of 50.1. The median household income is $73,021 (about the same as the Michigan median), the median home value is $214,700, the median rent is $969/month.
Rapid City is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Rapid City at a glance
- Population
- 1,328
- Median age
- 50.1State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $73,021State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $214,700State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $969/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 84.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.9%
- Average commute
- 35 min
Is Rapid City a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the Michigan median; home values 7% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 12.7%.
Cons: An average commute of 35 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Rapid City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rapid City the median home value is $214,700, 35% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $969 per month, which is 14.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,223 a month in housing costs.
Rapid City median household income
The median household income in Rapid City is $73,021 and the income per person is $36,532. 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Rapid City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 944
- Owner-occupied
- 84.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 15.2%
- Vacant
- 33.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.10
33.1% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Rapid City has many vacation and second homes.
Rapid City demographics
- Population
- 1,328
- Median age
- 50.1
- Under 18
- 17.4%
- 65 and older
- 25.5%
- Households
- 632
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 11.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rapid City ›
Education in Rapid City
13.9% of adults 25 and older in Rapid City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 7.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rapid City
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 35 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5%
- Drive alone
- 81.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.1%
Rapid City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 1,328 | $73,021 | $214,700 | $969 |
| Alden | 133 | $56,250 | $311,400 | — |
| Elk Rapids | 1,624 | $70,938 | $393,400 | $1,056 |
| Kalkaska | 2,539 | $57,143 | $155,600 | $633 |
| Bellaire | 1,008 | $55,789 | $230,100 | $799 |
| Mancelona | 1,476 | $51,691 | $131,400 | $791 |
| Manistee Lake | 412 | $56,250 | $175,000 | — |
| South Boardman | 553 | $83,750 | $193,300 | — |
| Central Lake | 1,051 | $63,269 | $167,100 | $1,008 |
More for people moving to Rapid City
Rapid City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rapid City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rapid City, MI?
The median household income in Rapid City is $73,021, about the same as the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rapid City?
The median home value in Rapid City is $214,700, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Rapid City?
The median gross rent in Rapid City is $969 per month, about 14.5% of household income.
Is Rapid City, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the Michigan median; home values 7% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 12.7%. Minuses: an average commute of 35 minutes.
What is the median age in Rapid City?
The median age in Rapid City is 50.1 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Rapid City?
The average commute to work in Rapid City is 35 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rapid City?
The unemployment rate in Rapid City is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rapid City?
13.9% of adults in Rapid City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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