Rapid City, SD Demographics

A map of Rapid City's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	59,460	54,444	76.3%	72.9%
Native American/Other	5,994	9,516	7.7%	12.7%
Multiracial	5,761	4,513	7.4%	6.0%
Hispanic	4,745	3,962	6.1%	5.3%
Asian	1,031	1,188	1.3%	1.6%
Black	955	1,080	1.2%	1.4%

Rapid City, South Dakota has an estimated population of 77,946, an increase from the 74,703 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.3% White, 7.7% Native American/Other, 7.4% Multiracial, 6.1% Hispanic, 1.3% Asian, and 1.2% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rapid City, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rapid City has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than South Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rapid City, that probability was 44.6% in 2020 and 40.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rapid City is ranked the 2nd most populous place in South Dakota, out of 485 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rapid City was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rapid City's White Population

59,460 residents of Rapid City, or 76.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rapid City is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Rapid City ranks 391st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid City's White population has grown by an estimated 9.2%. White residents' share of Rapid City's population has increased from 72.9% to 76.3%.

Rapid City is more White than neighboring Rapid Valley (75.8% White), and Green Valley (66.5% White). Rapid City is less White than neighboring Ashland Heights (92.6% White), Colonial Pine Hills (93.8% White), and Blackhawk (77.5% White).

Rapid City's Black Population

955 residents of Rapid City, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rapid City is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Rapid City ranks 27th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid City's Black population has declined by an estimated 11.6%. Black residents' share of Rapid City's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Rapid City is more Black than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Black), Colonial Pine Hills (0% Black), and Green Valley (0% Black). Rapid City is less Black than neighboring Blackhawk (3.3% Black).

Rapid City's Asian Population

1,031 residents of Rapid City, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rapid City is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Rapid City ranks 24th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid City's Asian population has declined by an estimated 13.2%. Asian residents' share of Rapid City's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Rapid City is more Asian than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Asian), Colonial Pine Hills (1.2% Asian), and Green Valley (0% Asian). Rapid City is less Asian than neighboring Rapid Valley (3.6% Asian), and Blackhawk (2.5% Asian).

Rapid City's Hispanic Population

4,745 residents of Rapid City, or 6.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rapid City is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rapid City ranks 86th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid City's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 19.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Rapid City's population has increased from 5.3% to 6.1%.

Rapid City is more Hispanic than neighboring Rapid Valley (3.5% Hispanic), Ashland Heights (0% Hispanic), Colonial Pine Hills (0% Hispanic), and Blackhawk (2.9% Hispanic). Rapid City is less Hispanic than neighboring Green Valley (12.7% Hispanic).

Rapid City's Native American/Other Population

5,994 residents of Rapid City, or 7.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rapid City is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Rapid City ranks 85th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid City's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 37.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rapid City's population has decreased from 12.7% to 7.7%.

Rapid City is more Native American/Other than neighboring Rapid Valley (6.2% Native American/Other), Ashland Heights (0% Native American/Other), Colonial Pine Hills (0% Native American/Other), Green Valley (1.6% Native American/Other), and Blackhawk (3.4% Native American/Other).

Rapid City's Multiracial Population

5,761 residents of Rapid City, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rapid City is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Rapid City ranks 78th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid City's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 27.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Rapid City's population has increased from 6.0% to 7.4%.

Rapid City is more Multiracial than neighboring Colonial Pine Hills (5% Multiracial). Rapid City is less Multiracial than neighboring Rapid Valley (9.7% Multiracial), Green Valley (19.1% Multiracial), and Blackhawk (10.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.