Rapid Valley, SD Demographics

A map of Rapid Valley's Population by Race

Rapid Valley, South Dakota has an estimated population of 6,975, a large decrease from the 8,098 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.8% White, 9.7% Multiracial, 6.2% Native American/Other, 3.6% Asian, 3.5% Hispanic, and 1.2% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rapid Valley, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rapid Valley has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Valley, that probability was 34.2% in 2020 and 40.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rapid Valley is ranked the 16th 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 Valley was ranked the 14th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rapid Valley's White Population

5,290 residents of Rapid Valley, or 75.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rapid Valley is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Rapid Valley ranks 362nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid Valley's White population has declined by an estimated 18.8%. White residents' share of Rapid Valley's population has decreased from 80.4% to 75.8%.

Rapid Valley is more White than neighboring Green Valley (66.5% White), and Box Elder (71.1% White). Rapid Valley is less White than neighboring Ashland Heights (92.6% White), Rapid City (76.3% White), and Caputa (100% White).

Rapid Valley's Black Population

84 residents of Rapid Valley, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rapid Valley is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Rapid Valley ranks 61st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid Valley's Black population has grown by an estimated 50.0%. Black residents' share of Rapid Valley's population has increased from 0.7% to 1.2%.

Rapid Valley is more Black than neighboring Green Valley (0% Black), Ashland Heights (0% Black), and Caputa (0% Black). Rapid Valley is less Black than neighboring Box Elder (2.8% Black).

Rapid Valley's Asian Population

252 residents of Rapid Valley, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rapid Valley is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Rapid Valley ranks 56th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid Valley's Asian population has grown by an estimated 227.3%. Asian residents' share of Rapid Valley's population has increased from 1.0% to 3.6%.

Rapid Valley is more Asian than neighboring Green Valley (0% Asian), Box Elder (1.1% Asian), Ashland Heights (0% Asian), Rapid City (1.3% Asian), and Caputa (0% Asian).

Rapid Valley's Hispanic Population

241 residents of Rapid Valley, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rapid Valley is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rapid Valley ranks 102nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid Valley's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 37.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Rapid Valley's population has decreased from 4.8% to 3.5%.

Rapid Valley is more Hispanic than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Hispanic), and Caputa (0% Hispanic). Rapid Valley is less Hispanic than neighboring Green Valley (12.7% Hispanic), Box Elder (8.2% Hispanic), and Rapid City (6.1% Hispanic).

Rapid Valley's Native American/Other Population

431 residents of Rapid Valley, or 6.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rapid Valley is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Rapid Valley ranks 118th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid Valley's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rapid Valley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.2%.

Rapid Valley is more Native American/Other than neighboring Green Valley (1.6% Native American/Other), Ashland Heights (0% Native American/Other), and Caputa (0% Native American/Other). Rapid Valley is less Native American/Other than neighboring Box Elder (8.3% Native American/Other), and Rapid City (7.7% Native American/Other).

Rapid Valley's Multiracial Population

677 residents of Rapid Valley, or 9.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rapid Valley is higher than in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Rapid Valley ranks 54th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rapid Valley's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Rapid Valley's population has increased from 7.1% to 9.7%.

Rapid Valley is more Multiracial than neighboring Box Elder (8.4% Multiracial), Ashland Heights (7.4% Multiracial), Rapid City (7.4% Multiracial), and Caputa (0% Multiracial). Rapid Valley is less Multiracial than neighboring Green Valley (19.1% 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.