When Rapid City's founders laid out plans for their settlement in 1876, it was to serve as a supply depot for local gold miners. They had no idea that in a matter of decades, this humble town would grow into the “Gateway to the Black Hills.” Today, Rapid City is the second-largest city in South Dakota, with nearly 80,000 citizens. A steadily growing economy and the allure of natural beauty attract new residents, particularly those escaping the city. “We get a lot of people out here looking to start over or retire,” says Kristen Andrews-Lowe, a Re/Max Advantage broker and lifelong Rapid City resident.
This influx of new faces attracts various amenities and cultural upgrades to the area, including celebrated chefs, art galleries and new construction. Perhaps best known for Mount Rushmore, Rapid City doesn’t shy away from its image of patriotism. In 2000, it began placing life-sized bronze statues of American presidents downtown, completing the project in 2010 and earning a new nickname, The City of Presidents. “The people here know who they are and lean into it,” says Rapid City mayor Jason Salamun. In 2024, the city’s budget included plans for downtown development, addiction treatment and economic assistance.
Skyline Wilderness Park has amazing views of Downtown Rapid City.
The Main Street Square is a popular place to hang out in the evening in Downtown Rapid City.
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Historic homes in the West Boulevard Historic District
Whether the cause is gold or a new military base, Rapid City has been expanding its borders for almost as long as it’s been a city. Tudor and Victorian homes fill the West Boulevard Historic District, and Mid-century split-levels and ranch-style homes line the suburban streets of West Rapid City. Recently constructed homes are in Rapid Valley, with Contemporary Craftsmen and Traditional houses springing up in response to new job opportunities at Ellsworth Air Force Base. “Go west, and you’re getting into the trees and the Black Hills, and that’s typically more expensive,” says Andrews-Lowe. “When you go east, you’re getting closer to the military base, which is flatter and cheaper.” The median home price in Rapid City is in the low $400,000s, above South Dakota's numbers in the high $300,000s and comparable to the national average in the low $400,000s.
Agriculture is the dominant industry in South Dakota, and it's been that way for generations. “Those agricultural roots are embedded in the people,” says Salamun. “The idea of hard work, determination, resilience and friendliness that you see so often in rural communities are right here in the metro area.” Other top employers include Ellsworth Air Force Base, Monument Health and Black Hills Energy. Thanks to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, tourism also supports the local economy.
Beginning in 2024, federal funding is used to create more affordable housing in Rapid City and the Black Hills region.
Split level homes in the hills offer stunning views of Downtown Rapid City.
West Rapid City is full of unique custom built homes.
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Public greenery after disaster strikes
With the Black Hills to the west and prairie land to the east, most locals are fond of the outdoors and look forward to weekend fishing, camping or hiking. Hundreds of acres of public parks fill the metro areas, and national landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial are right around the corner.
The city developed much of the public greenspace after a devastating 1972 flood that destroyed over 800 houses and killed 238 people. “Those parks are a symbol of how people here rally together,” says Salamun. The Trust for Public Land has found that 54% of Rapid City’s residents live within a 10-minute walk of a public park, with 4% of the city’s land dedicated to parks and recreation.
Founders Park is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors in West Rapid City.
The famous Mount Rushmore is just a short drive from Ashland Heights.
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The world's largest motorcycle rally
Sites like the Black Hills Dinosaur Museum and the Journey Museum tell some of Rapid City’s oldest stories. The Monument Arena has hosted all kinds of touring and local entertainment, including the Rapid City Rush hockey team and the October Black Hills Powwow. The Central States Fair is held every August and includes a carnival, live music, and the Range Days Rodeo.
However, the event that affects the city the most doesn’t actually occur in Rapid City. The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the world’s largest motorcycle rally, attracting hundreds of thousands of riders to the small town of Sturgis, less than 30 miles northwest. “Last year, I think there were 500,000 visitors, and a lot of them visit Rapid City or stay here,” says Salamun.
Local James Beard Award semi-finalists
The area’s retail options include big box stores and locally owned shops. Downtown has streets lined with boutique stores that offer ice cream, art and handcrafted Lakota jewelry. Meanwhile, the Uptown Rapid Mall in North Rapid City houses dozens of familiar franchise stores and restaurants.
Though best known for unfussy cuts of beef or bison, Rapid City’s culinary scene is also the home of several renowned chefs. In 2023, Joseph Raney of the Skogen Kitchen and Sanaa Abourezk of Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean were semi-finalists for the James Beard Award’s best chef in the Midwest category.
Main Street Square offers shops and outdoor dining.
Uptown Rapid is the perfect place to buy new clothes in West Rapid City.
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Limited public transportation
Given limited walkability and public transit, cars are essential to living in Rapid City. “In bigger metro areas, you’ve got a train or a bus you can take,” says Amy Hook, a Realtor with Re/Max Advantage. “But people aren’t riding the bus around here—that’s not really a thing.”
Some of the busiest highways are Interstate 90, Highway 44 and Route 16, though locals rarely comment on traffic. The Rapid City Regional Airport has limited daily flights to areas like Denver, Minneapolis and Dallas.
The top college in South Dakota
The Rapid City Area School District has an overall grade of B-minus from Niche, which lists it as one of the top ten most diverse school districts in South Dakota. The South Dakota Mining School of Technology specializes in engineering-related fields and has over 2000 students. Niche rates the school at an A-minus and recognizes it as the top college in South Dakota for its academics and value.
Important to know
According to statistics provided by the FBI, Rapid City has higher instances of violent and property crime than the national and state averages. Downtown Rapid City has the most crime, while areas on the outskirts, like Ashland Heights and Colonial Pine Hills, have the least.
Rapid City has hot, dry summers and cold winters, though not as cold as the rest of the state. The Black Hills create a natural barrier that catches warmer winds for a “banana belt” effect that makes winters milder.
Due to dry conditions, the prairies in and around Rapid City are at risk of wildfires, depending on the local weather. Following a historic 1972 flood, the local government engineered improvements for the dams out of Rapid Creek.
Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Teal Mandzik
Video By
Max Gilmore
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Rapid City, SD sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Rapid City, SD over the last 12 months is $352,500, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
