Signals
Rapid City
Blackfoot
Growth
65 · Top 26%
vs59 · Top 36%
Climate
54 · Bottom 9%
vs56 · Bottom 13%
Physical resilience
43 · Bottom 34%
vs51 · Bottom 44%
Housing affordability
87 · Bottom 30%
vs91 · Bottom 41%
Access
89 · Top 26%
vs86 · Top 32%
Economic stability
75 · Top 19%
vs71 · Top 23%
Measured values
| Metric | Rapid City | Blackfoot | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,950 | 49,664 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $75,255 | $77,878 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,169 | $31,839 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 20/sq mi | 24/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $307,700 | $293,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,140 | $874 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.1% | 80.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 21.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 11.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 989 | 185 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.5 | 3.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -30.8% | -21.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 13°F | 17°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 11.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 12 mi | 23 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.3 min | 23.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.6 | 35.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Rapid City
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire.
Blackfoot
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, heat wave.
Your best match
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Rapid City
69
Your Score
66
Area Score
Blackfoot
69
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Rapid City, SD Metro Area · Blackfoot, ID Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology