Rapid City, SD local economy

Rapid City, SD ranks in the 76th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum rising over the past 12 months.

New business applications or registrations was 2,175 in January 2025, up 3.0% from January 2024. Dwelling units authorized by permit was 93 in July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How does Rapid City, SD rank among United States metros?

Rapid City, SD ranks in the 76th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum rising over the past 12 months.

What is the new business applications or registrations in Rapid City, SD?

New business applications or registrations in Rapid City, SD was 2,175 in January 2025.

What is the dwelling units authorized by permit in Rapid City, SD?

Dwelling units authorized by permit in Rapid City, SD was 93 in July 2026.

What is the payrolled or covered employment in Rapid City, SD?

Payrolled or covered employment in Rapid City, SD was 72,304 in January 2026.

Nearby and related

• United States overview
• Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
• Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
• Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
• Iowa City, IA
• Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
• Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
• Kansas City, MO-KS
• Greensboro-High Point, NC
• Grand Island, NE
• Reno, NV

Sources and methodology

• U.S. Census Bureau — Business Formation Statistics (BFS)
• U.S. Census Bureau — Building Permits Survey (BPS), CBSA monthly
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), national all-industry

Method: 2026.09. Updated 2026-09-10. Coverage: 100% of weighted components available.

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