Rapid City population
Rapid City, South Dakota had an estimated 80,589 residents on July 1, 2025, the 478th-largest city in the US. That is up 18.6% since the 2010 Census and up 32.6% since 2000.
- Population, July 2025
- 80,589+7.8% since April 2020
- People per sq mile
- 1,44056.0 sq mi of land
- Median age
- 39.120.7% are 65 or older
- Households with kids
- 24.8%with anyone under 18
Population by year, 2000 to 2025
| Year | Population | Change | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 80,589 | +445 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2024 | 80,144 | +724 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2023 | 79,420 | +681 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2022 | 78,739 | +1,940 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2021 | 76,799 | +2,064 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2020 | 74,735 | -3,179 | April 2020 estimates base |
| 2019 | 77,914 | +1,551 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2018 | 76,363 | +1,018 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2017 | 75,345 | +1,159 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2016 | 74,186 | +752 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2015 | 73,434 | +392 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2014 | 73,042 | +1,274 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2013 | 71,768 | +1,011 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2012 | 70,757 | +1,167 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2011 | 69,590 | +1,634 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2010 | 67,956 | +651 | 2010 Census (April 1) |
| 2009 | 67,305 | +1,036 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2008 | 66,269 | +1,380 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2007 | 64,889 | +895 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2006 | 63,994 | +761 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2005 | 63,233 | +249 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2004 | 62,984 | +878 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2003 | 62,106 | +178 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2002 | 61,928 | +366 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2001 | 61,562 | +768 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2000 | 60,794 | April 2000 estimates base |
Year-to-year changes across 2010 and 2020 mix census counts with estimates, so small jumps at those years are partly method changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Rapid City in 2025?
The Census Bureau estimates Rapid City had 80,589 residents on July 1, 2025, making it the 478th-largest city in the US.
Is Rapid City growing?
Yes. Rapid City has grown 18.6% since the 2010 Census (67,956 people), and grown 7.8% since 2020.
What was the population of Rapid City in 2000?
About 60,794 (the Census Bureau's April 2000 estimates base). By the 2010 Census it was 67,956.
How dense is Rapid City?
Rapid City has about 1,440 people per square mile of land (56.0 square miles).
More about Rapid City
See cost of living, jobs and commutes in Rapid City, Rapid City weather by month, or every Rapid City ZIP code. For the biggest cities in the country, see the largest US cities.