Poverty and living standards in Rapid City, South Dakota: official figures
12.5% of residents of Rapid City (9,342 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 402nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; South Dakota: 11.9%).
How many children live in poverty in Rapid City?
18.1% of children under 18 in Rapid City lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (3,030 children), 314th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; South Dakota: 14.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Rapid City?
By age, the poverty rate in Rapid City was 15.5% for children under 6 and 11.5% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Rapid City live in deep poverty?
4,273 people in Rapid City, 5.7% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 404th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Rapid City are cost-burdened?
50.4% of renting households in Rapid City spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (5,712 households), 299th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; South Dakota: 39.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Rapid City spend half their income on rent?
20.0% of renting households in Rapid City spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 88th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Rapid City compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Rapid City ranks 402 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 399 | Southaven | 12.6% |
| 400 | Kannapolis | 12.6% |
| 401 | Paramount | 12.6% |
| 402 | Rapid City | 12.5% |
| 403 | Smyrna | 12.5% |
| 404 | Tyler | 12.5% |
| 405 | St. Petersburg | 12.5% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Rapid City ranks 314 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | Springdale | 18.2% |
| 312 | Miami Gardens | 18.2% |
| 313 | Hanford | 18.2% |
| 314 | Rapid City | 18.1% |
| 315 | San Marcos | 18.1% |
| 316 | Rialto | 18.1% |
| 317 | Decatur | 18.1% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Rapid City ranks 420 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Gardena | 5.8% |
| 418 | Palm Coast | 5.8% |
| 419 | Mesquite | 5.7% |
| 420 | Rapid City | 5.7% |
| 421 | Manchester | 5.7% |
| 422 | Medford | 5.7% |
| 423 | Vallejo | 5.7% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Rapid City ranks 525 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 522 | Columbus | 50.5% |
| 523 | Johns Creek | 50.5% |
| 524 | Yorba Linda | 50.5% |
| 525 | Rapid City | 50.4% |
| 526 | North Richland Hills | 50.4% |
| 527 | Hammond | 50.4% |
| 528 | Bowling Green | 50.4% |
More on Rapid City: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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