Known to locals as the City Center, Downtown Rapid City is the center of South Dakota’s second-largest city. Surrounded by local businesses, eclectic restaurants and historic homes, this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood serves as the cultural heart of the City of Presidents—so named for the dozens of life-sized bronze statues of presidents from every era of the country’s past. “Downtown is an exciting, unique place,” says Katy Kinann, director of outreach at Fountain Springs Church. “People who live there don’t all look the same or come from the same experience. But Rapid City is their home.”
Downtown Rapid City offers suburban living mixed with city living.
Firehouse Brewing offers delicious outdoor dining in Downtown Rapid City.
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Classic designs in the West Boulevard Historic District
Just outside the downtown’s retail district is a collection of classic Colonial, Tudor and American Foursquare homes, many of which date back to the city's founding in the late 1800s. Connected by well-maintained sidewalks, this heavily manicured area is called the West Boulevard Historic District. With their various styles and conditions, home prices range from the mid-$300,000s to the high $900,000s. But those interested should be ready to hold their homes to a specific standard, something Ascend Realty owner Michael Frybarger describes as a struggle between the homeowner's rights and maintaining a historic atmosphere. “Say you get into a home built in 1902 and want to upgrade the windows to nice new Anderson windows,” he says. “But the Historical Society is going to want you to use true wood windows that are period accurate, and they’re four times more expensive.” Subdivisions further from the center of the neighborhood have a more typically suburban feeling to them, with Cape Cods, mid-century and Craftsman-style homes selling in the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$300,000s, depending on their size and proximity to schools and businesses.
Tudor style homes are abundant in Downtown Rapid City.
Cape Cod style homes are prevalent in Downtown Rapid City.
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A "fine diner" and handmade Lakota jewelry
Tally’s Silver Spoon has been a local favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner since it opened in the 1930s. Now run by Le Cordon Bleu-trained Executive Chef Benjamin Klinkel, Tally’s has been referred to as a “fine diner,” combining elements of upscale cuisine with greasy spoon sensibilities for classic dishes like bison steak, pulled pork and biscuits and gravy. Those intimidated by the wide selection of choices can opt instead for their “Indecision Menu,” which gives the chefs free rein to create a custom tasting menu. As South Dakota’s oldest operating brewery, Firehouse Brewing Company takes pride in its vast assortment of beer styles, including dense stouts and cactus-fruit-flavored sour ales. Downtown’s shopping district buzzes with customers from all over the state who visit the dozens of locally owned shops for everything from books to jewelry made by local Sioux and Lakota artisans. Familiar franchises like Walmart Supercenter and Safeway are also available.
Main Street Square offers shops and outdoor dining.
Firehouse Brewing is a popular place during evenings in Downtown Rapid City.
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Hiking through Founders Park
Found in the center of town, Main Street Square offers a splash of greenery within the city’s urban atmosphere. With numerous seating areas and outdoor art, its seasonal offerings are its largest draw. “During the hotter months, it has a splash pad, and all the families come out to cool off,” says Frybarger. “But during the winter, they convert that into an ice skating rink.” The original campsite of the city’s 19th-century settlers, Founders Park still has a woodsy reputation, with over 20 miles of walking and mountain bike trails that wind around and through hills dusted with shady trees and sandstone outcroppings. Picnic tables and open stretches of grass offer a picturesque view of what the locals call M Hill, named after the enormous initials of the South Dakota School of Mines planted at the top.
Canyon Lake Park offers activities like fishing and boating near Downtown Rapid City.
Canyon Lake Park is the perfect place to go on a scenic walk near Downtown Rapid City.
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STEM studies at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Students who live in the City Center begin their educations at South Park Elementary School, which scores a C-plus on Niche, before heading to South Middle School, which has a C. Older students enroll at B-minus-ranking Central High School, which has a robust selection of extracurricular activities, including ROTC, varsity sports and an award-winning robotics club, all designed to excite and enrich students. “We measure success by whether or not kids are thriving here,” says Jason Salamun, Mayor of Rapid City since 2023. “If you don’t have a flourishing next generation to hand everything off to, then you’re not winning.” The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology serves thousands of students in both undergraduate and graduate capacities and was ranked one of the top 10 Midwestern public universities by U.S. News and World Report.
A straight shot to Boulder and Sioux Falls
Though Downtown Rapid City attracts residents who prefer to get around on foot, the Rapid City Rapid Ride is available for weekday commutes during work hours. Interstate 90 and South Dakota Highway 79 provide straight shots to Sioux Falls, 340 miles to the east, and Boulder, Colorado, some 390 miles south. Monument Health Rapid City Hospital is 2 miles south in the neighboring community of Southeast Rapid City, and the Rapid City Regional Airport is 11 miles southeast. “We don’t worry about traffic so much,” says Seth Malott, owner of Century 21 Clearview Realty and lifelong resident. “That’s one of the advantages of living in a big city with a small-town feel.”
The Rapid City Airport is just a short drive from Downtown Rapid City.
Interstate 90 is the fastest way to get around Downtown Rapid City.
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Professional hockey at The Monument
Summer Nights is one of the downtown’s most popular annual events, with live music and food trucks making up a high-energy block party every Thursday night during the summer. The Black Hills Farmers Market allows locals to pick up locally raised produce and meats year-round. The Monument is the city’s largest venue and civic center, hosting the Rapid City Rush hockey team, Rodeo Rapid City and touring performers like Dwight Yoakam and Cody Johnson.
Memorial Park offers history of famous leaders in South Dakota in Downtown Rapid City.
Memorial Park offers an escape from the city buzz in Downtown Rapid City.
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Important to know
Factors like dryness and hot air have left South Dakota grasslands at risk of wildfires. On particularly hot, arid days, residents should refer to their local risk levels.
With nearby historic sites such as Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, tourism makes up a significant part of the local economy. Navigating tourists and visitors is a standard way of life in Downtown Rapid City, particularly during events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which saw over 600,000 attendees during its 10-day run.
Downtown Rapid City offers suburban streets near all the night life action.
Split level homes in the hills offer stunning views of Downtown Rapid City.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
If you are looking for a charming home with a ton of natural light and an amazing location, this is the home for you! Located in the West Boulevard area, this fenced property features 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and an attached 2 car garage. Upon entering the home, you walk into a cozy living room with French doors to the side patio. Beautiful hardwood floors on the main floor, updated light
Listed by Matt Stewart, Keller Williams Realty BLACK HILLS, (605) 430-7695. Welcome to this spacious bungalow-style home full of charm and character nestled just a block off West Blvd in the historic district. Featuring beautiful hardwood floors and classic architectural details, this home blends timeless appeal with everyday functionality. The home offers 2 bedrooms and a bathroom on the main
Welcome to 206 E St Anne St. This well-maintained home offers charm, space, and smart updates. The main level features three bedrooms, one full bathroom, beautiful hardwood floors, central air, and a functional kitchen with updated appliances. Downstairs includes a second updated bathroom with laundry and a space ready for a fourth bedroom with an egress window already in place. Outside, enjoy a
Contact listing agents Calvin Stribbling or Karson Klein at (414) 334-3950 to schedule a showing. Welcome to 433 E Indiana St, a charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home located in the heart of Rapid City. Built in 1954, this residence offers 864 square feet of living space on a generous 10,018 sq ft lot, providing ample room for outdoor activities and potential expansion. The home's classic design and
Block5 is where your downtown living experience begins. Enjoy the modern elegance of our thoughtfully designed homes, soak in the breathtaking city views and indulge in an array of upscale community amenities.Choose from our sophisticated floor plans offering studio to two-bedroom apartments. Each home is crafted to elevate your lifestyle with elegant finishes that cater to your taste.Start your
The Walmart and adjacent shopping center strip, coupled with multiple new national and regional businesses and new multi-family apartments in the area, make this 3.1 acre versatile lot with Catron, 5th St, and E Stumer frontage a great site for your next high volume traffic-needs business! (+-585' of total frontage.) City and other utility services are at or near the lot line. The land lease rate
The Elements is a brand-new apartment building located in downtown Rapid City. The four-story building includes studio units, one-bedroom units and two-bedroom units which opened February 2024. Featured amenities include a community room, fitness center, underground and surface parking and guest suites.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Carri Odle,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
15,785
Median Age
36
Population under 18
21.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$41,691
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$63,013
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.2%
College Graduates
25.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.8%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.3%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
59/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
55/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
