RAPID CITY, SD—Rapid City’s population is now estimated at 84,930, a solid 3.05 percent increase from the previous year. City officials estimate Rapid City’s population has increased by more than 10,000 people since 2020.
Each year, the City’s Long Range Planning Division prepares a population estimate for Rapid City, utilizing data including approved building permits, housing demolitions, the 2020 Census occupancy rate and the 2020 Census persons per household rate for Rapid City and Pennington County. The methodology is approved by the United States Census Bureau.
Based on the data, City officials estimate Rapid City’s population at the end of 2024 at 84,930, an increase over the estimate of 82,418 for the City’s population at the end of 2023. Using the population estimates, Rapid City has increased by more than 10,200 people since 2020 when the US Census Bureau estimated the community’s population at 74,703.
The 3.05 percent increase is the second-largest percentage increase in population for Rapid City since 2000, surpassed only by the 3.14 percent increase in the 2022 estimate over 2021.
“The data reflects a huge spike in population for our community,” said City Long Range Planner Kelly Brennan. “These projections are based on the available data and the estimates are important as the information assists City leaders and department staff as we make plans for the future. The information is helpful in determining projected growth as it relates to infrastructure, community planning, transportation, housing and other areas in terms of policies, guidelines and planning.”
The population estimate report was shared Wednesday at the City’s Legal and Finance Committee meeting.
2024: 84,930
2023: 82,418
2022: 80,611
2021: 78,159
2020: 74,703 (US Census Bureau estimate)
