Rapid City, South Dakota Income Statistics
Rapid City Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Rapid City Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Rapid City | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,082 | $75,087 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,363 | $53,860 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.8% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.3% | 10.1% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.7% | 8.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Rapid City is about 12% lower than in South Dakota. Income has been growing faster in Rapid City (4.8%/yr) than in South Dakota (4.6%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Rapid City earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Dakota average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Rapid City, South Dakota grew by 61.6% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $66,082 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Rapid City
| Metric | Rapid City | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.501 | 0.504 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $55,782 | $62,990 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $50,031 | $50,603 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.3% | 19.7% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Rapid City, it is 0.501, about the same as South Dakota's 0.504, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 11% more than women's income in Rapid City, South Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $201,285 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rapid City, South Dakota has narrowed from about 21% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 25% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,049 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Rapid City | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 9.7% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 15 | 22 |
Approximately 862 people are unemployed in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The average commute time in Rapid City is 15 minutes, about the same as in South Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Rapid City, South Dakota has fallen from 7.3% to 2.7% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 7.6% in 2012.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Rapid City, South Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with South Dakota, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Rapid City, South Dakota.
How Rich Is Rapid City, South Dakota?
Rapid City has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $66,082, about 12% lower than the South Dakota average of $75,087.
How has median household income changed in Rapid City, South Dakota?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Rapid City, South Dakota rose 62%, from $40,892 to $66,082. Over the same years, income here lagged behind South Dakota as a whole: +62% against +67%.
What was the median household income in Rapid City in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Rapid City, South Dakota was $61,901, up 7% from $58,052 in 2022. The South Dakota median that year was $72,558.
What was the median household income in Rapid City in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Rapid City, South Dakota was $49,934. By 2024 it had risen 32% to $66,082.
What is the Gini coefficient in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Rapid City is 0.501. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Rapid City, South Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rapid City, South Dakota has narrowed from about 21% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 25% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,049 since 2009.
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