Government budget and revenue in Rapid City, South Dakota: official figures
Rapid City's city government took in $207.75 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,636 for each of its 78,824 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 249th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Rapid City spend and on what?
It spent $183.09 million in the same year, $2,323 per resident, the 211th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (14.2%), fire protection (13.7%) and parks and recreation (13.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Rapid City collect per resident?
Taxes raised $110.46 million ($1,401 per resident, the 162nd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 60.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Rapid City rely on?
Of Rapid City's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 28.3%, general sales tax 71.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Rapid City's property tax share is the 112th lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Rapid City get?
Payments from other governments made up 9.6% of Rapid City's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 5.3% from the federal government ($123 per resident), 3.9% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Rapid City raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $47.06 million, 25.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $25.49 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Rapid City spend on police?
Rapid City's city government spent $25.91 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $329 per resident (the 240th lowest of 582) and 14.2% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Rapid City spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $25.01 million, $317 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Rapid City have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Rapid City's city government owed $208.21 million in long-term debt, $2,641 per resident (the 240th highest of 582). During the year it issued $16.25 million of new long-term debt and repaid $13.64 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Rapid City pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $8.22 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 4.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Rapid City city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 9.6% from $2,404 to $2,636, spending per resident rose 42.7% to $2,323, taxes per resident rose 2.9% to $1,401.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Rapid City compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 354 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | Boynton Beach | $2,417 |
| 352 | Winter Haven | $2,414 |
| 353 | Murfreesboro | $2,414 |
| 354 | Rapid City | $2,404 |
| 355 | Hammond | $2,402 |
| 356 | College Station | $2,399 |
| 357 | Santa Maria | $2,397 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 552 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 549 | Peoria | $1,636 |
| 550 | Reno | $1,632 |
| 551 | Modesto | $1,630 |
| 552 | Rapid City | $1,628 |
| 553 | Valdosta | $1,623 |
| 554 | Burlington | $1,622 |
| 555 | Fulshear | $1,620 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 170 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Cedar Rapids | $1,376 |
| 168 | Sioux Falls | $1,374 |
| 169 | Evanston | $1,370 |
| 170 | Rapid City | $1,362 |
| 171 | Oklahoma City | $1,361 |
| 172 | Bellingham | $1,361 |
| 173 | Encinitas | $1,360 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 519 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 516 | Rock Hill | $258 |
| 517 | Roanoke | $258 |
| 518 | Boise City | $258 |
| 519 | Rapid City | $258 |
| 520 | Logan | $257 |
| 521 | Virginia Beach | $257 |
| 522 | Kokomo | $256 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 559 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 556 | Manteca | $943 |
| 557 | Paterson | $940 |
| 558 | Kokomo | $937 |
| 559 | Rapid City | $935 |
| 560 | Clifton | $928 |
| 561 | Durham | $920 |
| 562 | St. Peters | $920 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 580 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 577 | Inglewood | 27.7% |
| 578 | Bellflower | 27.6% |
| 579 | Santa Rosa | 27.6% |
| 580 | Rapid City | 27.6% |
| 581 | Fairfield | 27.5% |
| 582 | Tulare | 27.5% |
| 583 | Manteca | 27.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rapid City ranks 674 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 671 | San Mateo | 6.7% |
| 672 | Garland | 6.6% |
| 673 | Olympia | 6.6% |
| 674 | Rapid City | 6.5% |
| 675 | Watsonville | 6.5% |
| 676 | Chino Hills | 6.4% |
| 677 | Gulfport | 6.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 334 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 331 | Bothell | $2,677 |
| 332 | Irving | $2,658 |
| 333 | Commerce City | $2,652 |
| 334 | Rapid City | $2,636 |
| 335 | Surprise | $2,633 |
| 336 | Mount Prospect | $2,618 |
| 337 | Sioux Falls | $2,612 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 372 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 369 | Moreno Valley | $2,331 |
| 370 | Jeffersonville | $2,325 |
| 371 | Topeka | $2,324 |
| 372 | Rapid City | $2,323 |
| 373 | Tucson | $2,316 |
| 374 | Greenwood | $2,313 |
| 375 | Oshkosh | $2,312 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 162 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 159 | St. Louis Park | $1,411 |
| 160 | Oklahoma City | $1,408 |
| 161 | Council Bluffs | $1,403 |
| 162 | Rapid City | $1,401 |
| 163 | Cedar Rapids | $1,396 |
| 164 | Asheville | $1,389 |
| 165 | Euless | $1,389 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 343 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 340 | Laredo | $330 |
| 341 | West Haven | $329 |
| 342 | Missoula | $329 |
| 343 | Rapid City | $329 |
| 344 | Tigard | $328 |
| 345 | Arlington | $328 |
| 346 | Salem | $328 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 240 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 237 | Orlando | $2,686 |
| 238 | Rogers | $2,685 |
| 239 | Lenexa | $2,647 |
| 240 | Rapid City | $2,641 |
| 241 | Jackson | $2,629 |
| 242 | Bothell | $2,627 |
| 243 | Tracy | $2,596 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 469 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 466 | Ontario | 29.0% |
| 467 | Fairfield | 28.7% |
| 468 | Vancouver | 28.4% |
| 469 | Rapid City | 28.3% |
| 470 | South Gate | 27.9% |
| 471 | Whittier | 27.6% |
| 472 | Denver | 27.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rapid City ranks 481 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 478 | Florissant | 9.6% |
| 479 | Visalia | 9.6% |
| 480 | San Angelo | 9.6% |
| 481 | Rapid City | 9.6% |
| 482 | Stillwater | 9.6% |
| 483 | Roseville | 9.5% |
| 484 | Scranton | 9.5% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.