RAPID CITY, S.D. — The population trend in the second largest city in South Dakota continues to go up.
Rapid City officials say the 2020 population is estimated at 78,369. That is a rise of 1.53-percent from the 2019 estimate and consistent with the city’s growth over the past 10 years.
The Rapid City’s Community Development Department issues a population estimate every year. It’s based on methodology approved and used by the U.S. Census Bureau. The criteria used includes approved building permits, housing demolitions, the most recent US Census occupancy rate and the most recent US Census persons per household rate.
According to officials, much of the growth over the past year has been from people who have moved to the Black Hills from other states. The city will know more data later in June when it compiles a full socioeconomic report.
City officials expect to have the official 2020 U.S. Census data by late May.
