Metro area profile · South Dakota
Rapid City, SD metro area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Rapid City metro area, each scored against other metro areas.
- Population, 2025
- 156,934
- +6.2% since 2020
- Households
- 62,789
- Median household income
- $75,255
- Median home value
- $307,700
- Jobs located here
- 69,449
- Highest market score
- 77
- Funeral homes, #41 of 377 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Rapid City metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Rapid City metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 156,934 people live in the Rapid City metro area, in 62,789 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Rapid City metro area from 2020 to 2025 at +6.2%, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Rapid City metro area is $75,255 a year, 7% below the U.S. median of $80,734.
Set against the U.S., households in the Rapid City metro area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 126, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (69).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Rapid City metro area are for funeral homes (77), primary care and pediatric clinics (75) and hair salons (71). The Rapid City metro area ranks #41 of 377 scored metro areas for funeral homes.
The Rapid City metro area takes in 3 counties: Pennington County, Meade County and Custer County. For its number of households, the Rapid City metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for roofing and gutter companies (2.4 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for barbershops (38% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Rapid City metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Rapid City metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral homes | 77 | #41 of 377 | 10 | 1.6 | $910K | 134 | 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 75 | #36 of 387 | 30 | 4.8 | $2.9M | 165 | 95 |
| Hair salons | 71 | #32 of 387 | 130 | 20.7 | $477K | 111 | 28 |
| Grocery stores | 71 | #54 of 387 | 33 | 5.3 | $11.5M | 124 | 21 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 65 | #50 of 387 | 253 | 40.3 | $245K | 115 | 65 |
| Pest control | 65 | #70 of 345 | 6 | 1.0 | $12.9M | 126 | 6 |
| Barbershops | 64 | #84 of 387 | 21 | 3.3 | $3M | 157 | 5 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 63 | #66 of 347 | 13 | 2.1 | $4.3M | 105 | 15 |
| Laundromats | 62 | #109 of 364 | 7 | 1.1 | $17.6M | 140 | 6 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 60 | #98 of 387 | 90 | 14.3 | $617K | 93 | 31 |
| Nail salons | 60 | #98 of 387 | 30 | 4.8 | $2.1M | 124 | 14 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 60 | #99 of 387 | 26 | 4.1 | $2.1M | 106 | 16 |
| Physical therapy | 60 | #122 of 386 | 35 | 5.6 | $2.5M | 105 | 28 |
| Gyms | 59 | #114 of 387 | 51 | 8.1 | $1.1M | 84 | 15 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 56 | #148 of 387 | 50 | 8.0 | $4.9M | 117 | 57 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 56 | #166 of 387 | 141 | 22.5 | $2.7M | 79 | 25 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 55 | #153 of 387 | 85 | 13.5 | $1M | 106 | 67 |
| Convenience stores | 55 | #171 of 387 | 81 | 12.9 | $4.7M | 59 | 4 |
| Tire shops | 55 | #181 of 386 | 30 | 4.8 | $2.5M | 101 | 17 |
| Auto repair shops | 54 | #167 of 387 | 165 | 26.3 | $459K | 103 | 131 |
| Spas and skin care | 52 | #174 of 387 | 67 | 10.7 | $926K | 106 | 17 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 51 | #178 of 387 | 340 | 54.1 | $713K | 107 | 134 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 49 | #205 of 387 | 102 | 16.2 | $2.4M | 78 | 127 |
| Pizza | 49 | #209 of 387 | 60 | 9.6 | $4M | 80 | 127 |
| Auto repair and car care | 49 | #211 of 387 | 301 | 47.9 | $252K | 94 | 181 |
| Pet stores | 48 | #207 of 382 | 17 | 2.7 | $3.1M | 68 | 4 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 46 | #222 of 387 | 671 | 106.9 | $132K | 86 | 257 |
| Gas stations | 46 | #227 of 387 | 101 | 16.1 | $1.9M | 79 | 88 |
| Veterinarians | 45 | #232 of 384 | 22 | 3.5 | $2.4M | 88 | 21 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 43 | #245 of 387 | 110 | 17.5 | $1.1M | 88 | 67 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 42 | #259 of 387 | 157 | 25.0 | $783K | 89 | 76 |
| Car washes and detailing | 42 | #265 of 387 | 41 | 6.5 | $1.8M | 73 | 24 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 40 | #261 of 387 | 726 | 115.6 | $334K | 90 | 320 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 40 | #266 of 381 | 32 | 5.1 | $2.4M | 77 | 47 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 40 | #266 of 373 | 28 | 4.5 | Index only | 81 | 10 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 40 | #285 of 386 | 35 | 5.6 | $2.5M | 81 | 18 |
| Pet businesses | 37 | #293 of 387 | 79 | 12.6 | $666K | 76 | 43 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 37 | #293 of 386 | 28 | 4.5 | $1.9M | 74 | 18 |
| Property management | 36 | #306 of 374 | 19 | 3.0 | Index only | 83 | 43 |
| Chiropractors | 36 | #308 of 386 | 62 | 9.9 | $1.4M | 60 | 38 |
| Insurance agencies | 34 | #282 of 387 | 105 | 16.7 | $1.1M | 88 | 100 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 34 | #287 of 385 | 37 | 5.9 | $2.1M | 71 | 78 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 34 | #320 of 387 | 97 | 15.4 | $2.5M | 68 | 57 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 32 | #324 of 387 | 61 | 9.7 | $1.3M | 75 | 151 |
| Child care and preschools | 32 | #324 of 387 | 43 | 6.8 | $588K | 59 | 42 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 32 | #335 of 387 | 49 | 7.8 | $3.5M | 73 | 78 |
| Real estate | 28 | #377 of 387 | 273 | 43.5 | Index only | 74 | 214 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 27 | #380 of 387 | 222 | 35.4 | Index only | 73 | 139 |
| House cleaning | 26 | #356 of 375 | 18 | 2.9 | $4.3M | 67 | 67 |
| Electricians | 26 | #357 of 383 | 34 | 5.4 | $5M | 42 | 63 |
| Home repair trades | 26 | #371 of 387 | 138 | 22.0 | $1.2M | 51 | 168 |
| Roofing and gutters | 25 | #364 of 381 | 55 | 8.8 | $3.1M | 37 | 27 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.6 | Index only | 84 | 4 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.5 | $41M | 262 | 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.5 | $25.3M | 184 | 8 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.3 | $44.2M | Too few | 11 |
Household spending in the Rapid City metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $75.8M | $1,207 | 126 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $191.2M | $3,044 | 117 |
| Food away from home | $242.5M | $3,862 | 95 |
| Groceries | $378.9M | $6,034 | 95 |
| Personal care products and services | $62M | $988 | 98 |
| Child care and other personal services | $25.3M | $402 | 69 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $55.5M | $884 | 90 |
| Medical and dental services | $88.3M | $1,407 | 109 |
| Pets | $52.6M | $838 | 92 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $123M | $1,958 | 95 |
| Vehicle insurance | $116M | $1,847 | 94 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $170.8M | $2,720 | 90 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $77.1M | $1,229 | 87 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $879.9M | $14,014 | 84 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Rapid City metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 156,934+6.2% since 2020
- Households
- 62,789
- Median age
- 41.8
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 71%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 7,805 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 20
- Median household income
- $75,255
- Average household income
- $99,099
- Median home value
- $307,700
- Jobs located here
- 69,449
- Daytime population
- 153,009Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Rapid City metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Rapid City metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Rapid City metro area 3
- Pennington County, SD113,512 people
- Meade County, SD30,546 people
- Custer County, SD8,892 people
Other markets based in South Dakota 10
- Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area298,181 people
- Aberdeen, SD area41,925 people
- Brookings, SD area35,353 people
- Watertown, SD area28,767 people
- Spearfish, SD area27,233 people
- Mitchell, SD area25,808 people
- Yankton, SD area23,414 people
- Pierre, SD area20,679 people
- Huron, SD area19,309 people
- Vermillion, SD area15,219 people
Questions
How fast is the Rapid City, SD metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Rapid City metro area at 156,934 people in 2025, up 6.2% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 62,789 households.
How much do households in the Rapid City, SD metro area spend?
Households in the Rapid City metro area spend about $879.9M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $378.9M on groceries and $242.5M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Rapid City metro area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 126, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (69).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Rapid City, SD metro area?
Of the business types scored in the Rapid City metro area, funeral homes (77), primary care and pediatric clinics (75) and hair salons (71) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For funeral homes, that ranks #41 of 377 scored metro areas.
How does the Rapid City, SD metro area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Rapid City metro area is $75,255, 7% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 6.2% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $307,700, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for roofing and gutter companies (2.4 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for barbershops (38% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 52 of the 56 business types have a score in the Rapid City metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Rapid City metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Rapid City metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Rapid City metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.