Rapid City
City in Pennington County, South Dakota
Rapid City is a city in Pennington County, South Dakota, with 74,703 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 3,232 ft (985 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Rapid Valley, 4.8 miles E.
- 74,703residents (2020 Census)
- 3,232 ftelevation · 985 m
- 56.0 sq miland area · 145.0 km²
- 1,334 / sq mipopulation density
- 57701ZIP code
About Rapid City
Rapid City is a city in and the county seat of Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 74,703 as of the 2020 census, and was estimated at 80,589 in 2025, making it the second-most populous city in South Dakota, after Sioux Falls. The Rapid City metropolitan area has 156,934 residents in 2025.
It is located on the eastern slope of the Black Hills in western South Dakota and was named after Rapid Creek, where the settlement developed.
Known as the "Gateway to the Black Hills" and the "City of Presidents" because of the life-size bronze president statues downtown, Rapid City is split by a low mountain ridge that divides the city's western and eastern parts, called ‘The Gap.’ Ellsworth Air Force Base is on the city's outskirts. Camp Rapid, part of the South Dakota Army National Guard, is in the city's western part.
Rapid City is home to such attractions as Art Alley, Dinosaur Park, the City of Presidents walking tour, Chapel in the Hills, Storybook Island, and Main Street Square. The historic "Old West" town of Deadwood is nearby. In the neighboring Black Hills are the tourist attractions of Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, The Mammoth Site and the museum at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. To the city's east is Badlands National Park.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rapid City weather: 7-day forecast
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Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).
Live webcams in Rapid City
Webcams: Windy.com
Living in Rapid City
- Median household income
- $70,870
- Median home value
- $299,400
- Median rent
- $1,109/mo
- Median age
- 39.1
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Map of Rapid City
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Rapid City Street View
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Open in Google Maps ›Rapid City, SD population
Rapid City had 74,703 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 74,703 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1,334 per sq mi (515 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Rapid City at a glance
| State | South Dakota (SD) |
|---|---|
| County | Pennington County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 74,703 (2020) |
| Land area | 55.99 sq mi (145.0 km²) |
| Water area | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km²) |
| Elevation | 3,232 ft (985 m) |
| Coordinates | 44.0711° N, 103.2179° W |
| ZIP code | 57701 |
| Official website | rcgov.org |
| Census code (GEOID) | 4652980 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Rapid City
- Rapid Valley4.8 mi E
- Green Valley5.7 mi E
- Colonial Pine Hills6.2 mi SW
- Ashland Heights6.4 mi NE
- Box Elder7.3 mi NE
- Blackhawk8.0 mi NW
- Summerset10.4 mi NW
- Johnson Siding11.0 mi W
- Wonderland Homes11.1 mi NW
- Caputa12.7 mi SE
- Piedmont13.0 mi NW
- Hermosa15.9 mi S
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Rapid City
What county is Rapid City in?
Rapid City is in Pennington County, South Dakota.
What is the population of Rapid City, SD?
74,703 people lived in Rapid City at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Rapid City, SD?
The ZIP code of Rapid City is 57701.
What is the elevation of Rapid City?
3,232 feet (985 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Rapid City?
Rapid Valley (4.8 mi), Green Valley (5.7 mi), Colonial Pine Hills (6.2 mi), Ashland Heights (6.4 mi), Box Elder (7.3 mi).
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