Rapid City

Rapid City is located in western South Dakota, on the eastern slopes of the Black Hills, near Mount Rushmore National Monument.

Called the Gateway to the Black Hills, Rapid City is the main population and trade center for the region. This growing community is located about 400 miles north of Denver, Colorado, and 625 miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Climate

Rapid City enjoys an elevation of 3,162 feet AMSL. The average annual rainfall is 16.7 inches, and the average annual snowfall is 39.1 inches. The average relative humidity is 61%, and the average wind speed is 11.2 mph. There are an average of 166 freezing days, 19 0º F days, and 26 90º F days. In the average year, the sky is clear 110 days, partly cloudy 112 days, and cloudy 143 days.

Population Data

Rapid City currently has a population of about 70,092. Economic indicators suggest a Rapid City area population of nearly 120,000 by 2020, and is expected to have more jobs, more people, and a smaller percentage of working-age residents. Per-capita income is expected to rise over 25% according to Woods & Poole.

Educational And Medical Facilities

Educational facilities in the area are considered above average.

In addition to the elementary and high schools, Rapid City is the home of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, a 4-year-degree college specializing in engineering and related fields. In addition, National American University provides 2- and 4-year degrees in business. Western Dakota Technical Institute provides vocational training in area such as drafting and computers. Sixty-five miles to the north and west, in Spearfish, is Black Hills State University which has shown steady growth in recent years.

Rapid City recently constructed a modern regional hospital. It is recognized as being one of the leading medical facilities between Denver and Minneapolis. There are also smaller medical facilities in many of the surrounding towns.

Utilities

Utilities serving this area include:

Electricity
Black Hills Power & Light West River Electric Association Black Hills Electric Cooperative	(605) 342-3200 (605) 393-1500 (605) 341-8119
Water & Sewer
City of Rapid City Black Hawk Water Company Northdale Sanitary District Rapid Valley Sanitary District	(605) 394-4125 (605) 787-5777 (605) 787-4640 (605) 393-1050
Garbage
City of Rapid City Fish Garbage Services Kieffer Sanitation Rapid City	(605) 394-4151 (605) 341-2201 (605) 342-5575 (605) 355-3496

Natural Gas
Montana-Dakota Utilities	(605) 342-0165
Telephone
Knology of the Black Hills Midcontinent Communications Qwest	(605) 721-2000 (800) 888-1300 (800) 244-1111
Cable
Knology of the Black Hills Midcontinent Communications Direct TV Wirefree US	(605) 721-2000 (800) 888-1300 (605) 343-0755 (605) 343-3806

Economic Base

The federal sector and the tourism industry are vital to the Rapid City and Black Hills area economy.

The Black Hills is a popular vacation area. There are all varieties of outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, snowmobiling, skiing, climbing, etc. In addition, legalized gambling in Deadwood, located 50 miles north of Rapid City, has had a dramatic impact on travel through the Black Hills.

In addition to tourism, the area’s forest products, mining, education, and government sectors provide a moderately diversified economic base for the Black Hills.

Ellsworth Air Force Base is the largest employer, with 3,406 employees (3,002 military and 404 civilian). Other large employers include Rapid City Regional Hospital, with 3000 employees, and the Rapid City School District, with 1,906 employees. (2001 data)

Recreation

Rapid City’s recreational opportunities are abundant. Some 27 parks, recreation areas, playgrounds and special outdoor public facilities span about 500 acres inside the city limits. The parks range in size from 220-acre Sioux Park to several tiny 1-acre playgrounds scattered through the local neighborhoods.

There are 8 golf courses in the city, 4 public swimming pools, 31 tennis courts, 5 athletic clubs, 31 ball fields, 6 soccer fields, 6 ice skating rinks, 1 hockey rink, one 9-hole Frisbee Golf course, 16 horseshoe courts, 1 lawn bowling alley, 2 bowling alleys, 9 movie theaters, 3 museums, a 13 1/2-mile bike/jogging path that winds through the city, 1 auto race track, and an IBA Championship Basketball Team, the Black Hills Posse.

The proximity of the Black Hills also offers a wide range of activities, from snowskiing and snowmobiling to hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing. Rushmore National Monument brings thousands of visitors to the Black Hills each year. The limited gaming in Deadwood has also become a draw for many. And don’t forget the Sturgis Bike Rally held annually just up the interstate from Rapid City.