Rapid City, South Dakota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rapid City, South Dakota
City
Left to right, from top: Downtown Rapid City, The Journey Museum and Learning Center, Dahl Arts Center, Rapid City Public Library, and Hotel Alex Johnson.
Flag Logo
Nickname(s):  Gateway to the Black Hills, City of Presidents
Location in Pennington County and the state of South Dakota
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
County	Pennington
Founded	February 1876
Incorporated	February 1883
Area
• City	55.129 sq mi (142.783 km2)
• Land	55.067 sq mi (142.623 km2)
• Water	0.062 sq mi (0.160 km2)
Elevation	3,356 ft (1,023 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	74,703
• Estimate  (2023)	79,404
• Rank	US: 461st SD: 2nd
• Density	1,442/sq mi (556.7/km2)
• Urban	85,679 (US: 342nd)
• Metro	155,974 (US: 276th)
Demonym(s)	Rapid Citian
Time zone	UTC–7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC–6 (MDT)
ZIP Codes	57701, 57702, 57703, 57709
Area code(s)	605
FIPS code	46-52980
GNIS feature ID	1267543
Sales tax	6.2%

Rapid City is a city in South Dakota, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, after Sioux Falls. Rapid City is located on the eastern side of the Black Hills in western South Dakota. It was named after Rapid Creek, a stream that flows through the area. In 2020, about 74,703 people lived there.

Rapid City is often called the "Gateway to the Black Hills." It's also known as the "City of Presidents" because of the life-size bronze statues of U.S. presidents found downtown. The city is divided by a low mountain ridge called ‘The Gap.’ Ellsworth Air Force Base, a military base, is just outside the city.

You can find many cool places in Rapid City. These include Art Alley, Dinosaur Park, and Storybook Island. The historic "Old West" town of Deadwood is also nearby. In the Black Hills, you can visit famous spots like Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park. To the east of the city is Badlands National Park.

History of Rapid City

Rapid City in 1938

In 1874, gold was discovered in the Black Hills. This brought many miners and settlers to the area. A group of miners who didn't find gold founded Rapid City in 1876. They called it "Hay Camp" at first. They wanted to make it a trading center and called it the "Gateway to the Black Hills."

In February 1876, John Richard Brennan and Samuel Scott helped plan the city. It was named after the spring-fed Rapid Creek. The city was set up with a business section in the middle. Merchants soon came to sell supplies to miners and pioneers.

Rapid City's location made it a good spot for railroads in the late 1880s. By 1900, it had become an important trading center.

Rapid City in the 20th Century

The Black Hills became popular for tourism in the early 1900s. After World War I, better roads and more cars brought many tourists. Even President Calvin Coolidge visited in 1927. He announced from Rapid City that he would not run for president again.

Work on Mount Rushmore began in 1927 by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. His son, Lincoln Borglum, continued the work. It was finished in 1941. Tourism helped the city during the Great Depression. However, during World War II, travel decreased due to gasoline rationing. But new military bases brought more people and businesses to the area.

In the 1940s, Rapid City grew a lot when the Rapid City Army Air Base opened. This base later became Ellsworth Air Force Base. The city's population almost doubled between 1940 and 1948. Military families and workers needed places to live, and businesses thrived.

During the Cold War, missile sites were built near Rapid City. These included Nike Air Defense sites and Titan missile launch sites. Later, 150 Minuteman missile silos were built. These were all closed in the early 1990s.

In 1949, city leaders planned for growth. They wanted a civic center, more parking, new schools, and paved streets. Construction continued into the 1950s.

The 1972 Rapid Creek Flood

Cars thrown together by the 1972 flood

On June 9–10, 1972, very heavy rains caused huge floods in the eastern Black Hills. About 15 inches (380 mm) of rain fell in six hours near Nemo. This caused record floods along Rapid Creek and other streams.

The floods happened after dark, killing 238 people. More than $100 million in property was destroyed. This included 1,335 homes and 5,000 cars. Canyon Lake Dam, on the west side of Rapid City, broke during the flood. This sent a wall of water down the creek.

To prevent future damage, the city now does not allow homes or businesses on the flood plain. This area is now used for parks, golf courses, and sports fields. The Rapid City Public Library has a digital archive about the flood. It includes stories, photos, and news from survivors.

Rapid City Today

After the flood, the city rebuilt many damaged buildings. The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and a new Central High School were built. This created many construction jobs.

In 1980, the Supreme Court of the United States made a ruling about the Black Hills. The court said the government had not fairly paid the Sioux people for the land. The Sioux had a treaty that gave them the Black Hills. The government offered money, but the Sioux refused it. They still want their land back. This land includes Rapid City.

Tourism grew again in the 1980s. The city hosts the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Rapid City is now a main city for tourism and fun in South Dakota. It is also becoming a center for technology, medicine, and scientific research.

Geography and Climate

Rapid City is located near Black Elk Peak. This peak is the second highest point east of the Rocky Mountains. The city covers about 55 square miles (142 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

Rapid City is on the eastern edge of the Black Hills. The city's "Westside" is in a valley known for its red soil. Rapid City has grown into the foothills. This dry area has a higher risk of wildfires.

Rapid Creek

View of the city from Dinosaur Park

Rapid Creek flows through Rapid City. It comes from Dark Canyon and flows north of downtown. After the 1972 flood, the city made the area along the creek a public park. This area now has parks, gardens, and bike trails. This helps connect the city to the creek for everyone to enjoy.

Weather in Rapid City

View of southern Rapid City from the east after a rainstorm, including a view of Black Elk Peak and the Black Hills

Rapid City has a climate that is a mix of dry and humid. Summers are long and dry, and winters are long and dry. Spring and autumn are shorter but clear. The city gets about 17.44 inches (443 mm) of rain each year.

Winters are cold and dry. January is the coldest month. Sometimes, warm Chinook winds can make temperatures rise quickly. Snow falls often but is usually not very heavy. March and April are usually the snowiest months.

Summers are pleasant, dry, and sunny. July is the warmest month. Temperatures can reach 90°F (32°C) or higher about 32 days a year. However, nights are usually cool. Rapid City gets a lot of sunshine throughout the year.

Population and People

In 2020, Rapid City had 74,703 people. There were 31,261 households. Most people (72.9%) were White. About 12.3% were Native American, and 1.4% were Black or African American. About 5.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

About 22% of the people in Rapid City were under 18 years old. About 20% were 65 years or older.

Economy of Rapid City

Rapid City has a varied economy. The biggest part of the economy is government services. This includes local, state, and federal jobs. Major employers are Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Army National Guard at Camp Rapid. Many federal agencies also have offices here.

Healthcare is another big part of the economy. Monument Health is a large healthcare provider in the area. It employs over 8,000 people.

Tourism is also very important. Many people visit Rapid City because it is close to Mount Rushmore and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The city provides many services for tourists. It can host large events like conventions.

Other parts of the economy include financial services, insurance, and investing. Rapid City is also a major market town for parts of five states. This means people from South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska come here to shop and do business.

Arts and Culture

Places to Visit

Cultural Spots

Rapid City has many public sculptures. One famous series is "The City of Presidents." These are life-sized bronze statues of every former President of the United States. You can find them on street corners downtown.

Library

Rapid City Public Library

The Rapid City Public Library is a great place for learning and research.

Sports Teams

Active Teams

• The Rapid City Rush is a minor league ice hockey team. They play in the ECHL.
• American Legion Baseball has two teams: Post 22 and Post 320.
• The Rapid City Marshals play indoor American football in the Champions Indoor Football league.

Past Teams

• The Black Hills Posse and Black Hills Gold were professional basketball teams.
• The Rapid City Flying Aces were an indoor football team.
• The Rapid City Thrillers were a professional basketball team.

Other Sports Events

• Rapid City has two public high schools. Their teams compete in the SDHSAA.
• The South Dakota Mines Hardrockers have 13 sports teams. They compete in NCAA Division II.
• The Lakota Nation Invitational is held every year at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Education

Rapid City has several colleges and technical schools. These include:

• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
• Oglala Lakota College's He Sapa College Center
• Black Hills State University - Rapid City University Center
• National American University
• Western Dakota Technical Institute

Most of the city is part of the Rapid City Area Schools district. There are three high schools: Rapid City Central High School, Stevens High School, and Rapid City High School. The district also has middle schools and 16 elementary schools.

There are also private schools in Rapid City. These include four Christian high schools and several private grade schools.

Media

Rapid City has many radio stations, both AM and FM. It also has several television channels.

AM Radio Stations

FM Radio Stations

Television Channels

Print Media

City Services

Getting Around Rapid City

Rapid City has a public bus service called Rapid City Rapid Ride. It offers routes and on-demand service. There is also limited bus service to other cities along I-90.

Roads

Major roads in Rapid City include:

• Interstate 90
• Interstate 190
• US Highway 16
• South Dakota Highway 44
• South Dakota Highway 79

Air Travel

Rapid City Regional Airport has flights to major airline hubs. It also handles general aviation, including planes for fighting wildfires. The airport supports medical flights for local hospitals.

Railroads

Rapid City is served by the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad. There is no passenger train service in the city.

Power and Water

Rapid City gets its electricity from hydroelectric plants on the Missouri River. It also imports power from other areas. The city used to have its own coal-fired power plant, but it closed.

National Guard officer candidates take part in a tactical road march through a west Rapid City neighborhood.

Most of Rapid City's water comes from Rapid Creek. The city owns water rights in Pactola Reservoir, which is west of the city. It also gets water from springs.

Healthcare and Emergency Services

Rapid City has several hospitals:

• Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, a major trauma center.
• Black Hills Surgical Hospital
• Indian Health Service’s Oyate Health Center, which serves the Native American community.

The Rapid City Fire Department provides emergency medical services. Air medical transportation is also available from Black Hills Life Flight and MARC.

Notable People

Sister Cities

Rapid City has two sister cities:

• Apolda, Thuringia, Germany
• Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan

Images for kids

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  Downtown Rapid City

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  The Journey Museum and Learning Center

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  Dahl Arts Center

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  Rapid City Public Library

• 

  Hotel Alex Johnson

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  Flag of Rapid City

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  Rapid City Logo

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  Map of Rapid City's location

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  Rapid City in 1938

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  Panoramic view of Sixth and Main Streets in Rapid City, 1912

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  Cars thrown together by the 1972 flood

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  View of the city from Dinosaur Park

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  View of southern Rapid City from the east after a rainstorm

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  Rapid City Public Library

• 

  National Guard officer candidates take part in a tactical road march through a west Rapid City neighborhood.

See also

In Spanish: Rapid City (Dakota del Sur) para niños