Pennington County, SD

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

108,707

3.37% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Thune

Republican Party

US Senator

Mike Rounds

Republican Party

US Representative

Dusty Johnson

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

38.9

0.258% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

12.6%

10% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$62,546

7.32% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$210,900

6.95% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

53,944

2.64% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Pennington County, SD had a population of 109k people with a median age of 38.9 and a median household income of $62,546. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Pennington County, SD declined from 112,504 to 108,707, a −3.37% decrease and its median household income grew from $58,278 to $62,546, a 7.32% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Pennington County, SD are White (Non-Hispanic) (78.2%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (7.69%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.42%), White (Hispanic) (2.4%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.73%).

None of the households in Pennington County, SD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.7% of the residents in Pennington County, SD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Pennington County, SD are National American University-Rapid City (544 degrees awarded in 2021), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (514 degrees), and Western Dakota Technical College (424 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Pennington County, SD was $210,900, and the homeownership rate was 69.2%.

Most people in Pennington County, SD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Pennington County, SD was 2 cars per household.

Pennington County, SD borders Custer County, SD, Haakon County, SD, Jackson County, SD, Lawrence County, SD, Meade County, SD, Oglala Lakota County, SD, and Weston County, WY.

Photo by Jack Flanagan

United States South Dakota Rapid City, SD

Population & Diversity

Pennington County, SD is home to a population of 109k people, from which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.52% of Pennington County, SD residents were born outside of the country (2.74k people).

In 2021, there were 10.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (85.1k people) in Pennington County, SD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.36k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and 5.9k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.7%

2021 Citizenship

98.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.7% of Pennington County, SD residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Pennington County, SD was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Pennington County, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Pennington County, SD

White (Non-Hispanic)
85.1k ± 481
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
8.36k ± 649
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
5.9k ± 727

5.6%

Hispanic Population

6.09k people

5.6% of the people in Pennington County, SD are hispanic (6.09k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Pennington County, SD as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Dakota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,140 ± 1,373 people
Ethiopia
2,462 ± 1,216 people
Guatemala
2,377 ± 1,195 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Dakota was Mexico, the natal country of 3,140 South Dakota residents, followed by Ethiopia with 2,462 and Guatemala with 2,377.

Foreign-Born Population

2.52%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

2.74k people

2.48%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.79k people

As of 2021, 2.52% of Pennington County, SD residents (2.74k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Pennington County, SD was 2.48%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Pennington County, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,213 ± 292
Gulf War (2001-)
2,661 ± 369
Gulf War (1990s)
1,489 ± 277

Pennington County, SD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.21 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Pennington County, SD employs 53.9k people. The largest industries in Pennington County, SD are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,315 people), Retail Trade (6,590 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (4,765 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($82,143), Public Administration ($57,882), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($56,466).

Males in South Dakota have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,431. The income inequality in South Dakota (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

53.9k

2021 Value

± 1,812

−2.64%

1 Year decline

± 4.93%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Pennington County, SD declined at a rate of −2.64%, from 55.4k employees to 53.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Pennington County, SD, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,734 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,992 people), and Management Occupations (5,468 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Pennington County, SD.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Dakota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

53.9k

2021 Value

± 1,812

−2.64%

1 Year decline

± 4.93%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Pennington County, SD declined at a rate of −2.64%, from 55.4k employees to 53.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Pennington County, SD, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,315 people), Retail Trade (6,590 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (4,765 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Pennington County, SD, though some of these residents may live in Pennington County, SD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,239

Median earning men ± $2,362

$31,910

Median earning women ± $879

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,903), Public Administration ($63,028), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($58,135).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($49,023), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,182), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($43,125).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Dakota. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Dakota.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,373
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
946
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
782
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.13M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$461k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$440k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Dakota to other states, or from other states to South Dakota.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Dakota product (by dollars) was Cereal grains with $6.49B, followed by Other ag prods. ($5.75B) and Live animals/fish ($4.59B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Dakota products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Dakota.

$51.6B

2020 Value in South Dakota

$98.1B

Projected 2050 Value in South Dakota

90.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Dakota trade was $51.6B. This is expected to increase 90.3% to $98.1B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Dakota trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Dakota to other states, or from other states to South Dakota.

Most Common Trade Partners

Minnesota
$6.09B
Iowa
$3.04B
North Dakota
$2.14B

In 2020, the top outbound South Dakota domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Minnesota with $6.09B, followed by Iowa with $3.04B and North Dakota and $2.14B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Dakota shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennington County, SD went to Donald J. Trump with 61% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (3.21%).

John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing the state of South Dakota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennington County, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (3.21%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennington County, SD for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from South Dakota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

John Thune

Senator from South Dakota

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Mike Rounds

Senator from South Dakota

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing South Dakota.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Dakota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Pennington County, SD

Dusty Johnson

South Dakota at-large Representative

Republican Party

Pennington County, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson (Republican Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Pennington County, SD have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Pennington County, SD awarded 1,603 degrees. The student population of Pennington County, SD in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 2,989 male students and 2,129 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Pennington County, SD are White (1,090 and 70.3%), followed by Black or African American (144 and 9.28%), Hispanic or Latino (119 and 7.67%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (73 and 4.71%).

The largest universities in Pennington County, SD by number of degrees awarded are National American University-Rapid City (544 and 33.9%), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (514 and 32.1%), and Western Dakota Technical College (424 and 26.5%).

The most popular majors in Pennington County, SD are General Business Administration & Management (226 and 14.1%), General Civil Engineering (65 and 4.05%), and Mechanical Engineering (64 and 3.99%).

The median tuition cost in Pennington County, SD for a public four year colleges is $7,820 for in-state students and $12,240 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Pennington County, SD, the percentage of applicants admitted was 80.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 42%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 5,118 (58.4% men and 41.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 5,118 students enrolled in Pennington County, SD, 58.4% men and 41.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,599 records, of which 39% were women and 61% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
82 degree-majors awarded
Mechanical Engineering
64 degree-majors awarded
Health Care Administration & Management
52 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Pennington County, SD was General Business Administration & Management with 82 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Pennington County, SD according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

National American University-Rapid City
544 degrees awarded
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
514 degrees awarded
Western Dakota Technical College
424 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was National American University-Rapid City with 544 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 822 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Pennington County, SD, which is 1.05 times more than the 781 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,090 degrees mean that there were 7.57 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 144 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($10,493) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($4,860) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

Measure

In 2021, 0.528% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.395% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (202k), Some college (152k), and Bachelors Degree (127k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Pennington County, SD was $210,900 in 2021, which is 0.861 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $197,200 to $210,900, a 6.95% increase. The homeownership rate in Pennington County, SD is 69.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Pennington County, SD have an average commute time of 18.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Pennington County, SD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Pennington County, SD is $62,546. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Pennington County, SD was Census Tract 110.05 with a value of $110,110, followed by Census Tract 110.04 and Census Tract 117, with respective values of $104,813 and $79,872.

In 2022, 12.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Pennington County, SD. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.88%.

Housing

Property

$210,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,637

$30,447

Median Property Taxes

±$1,196

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Pennington County, SD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Pennington County, SD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

69.2%

Homeownership

2021

64.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 69.2% of the housing units in Pennington County, SD were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Pennington County, SD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 110.05
Census Tract 110.04
Census Tract 117

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Pennington County, SD was Census Tract 110.05 with a value of $110,110, followed by Census Tract 110.04 and Census Tract 117, with respective values of $104,813 and $79,872.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Pennington County, SD colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,546

Median Household Income

± $1,737

44k

Number of Households

± 1,557

In 2021, the median household income of the 44k households in Pennington County, SD grew to $62,546 from the previous year's value of $58,278.

The following chart displays the households in Pennington County, SD distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Pennington County, SD is from South Dakota.

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in South Dakota

0.43

2020 Wage GINI in South Dakota

In 2021, the income inequality in South Dakota was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.94% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Dakota was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Dakota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Dakota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (80.7%)
Carpooled (8.33%)
Worked At Home (6.79%)

In 2021, 80.7% of workers in Pennington County, SD drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.33%) and those who worked at home (6.79%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Pennington County, SD have a shorter commute time (18.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.35% of the workforce in Pennington County, SD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Pennington County, SD compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Pennington County, SD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Pennington County, SD have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 12.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Pennington County, SD. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.88%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

12.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Pennington County, SD (13.3k out of 106k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Pennington County, SD is White, followed by Native American and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 13.8% of the children was living in poverty in Pennington County, SD. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 562 in Pennington County, SD. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 105 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

88.7% of the population of Pennington County, SD has health coverage, with 44.6% on employee plans, 11.1% on Medicaid, 11.8% on Medicare, 16% on non-group plans, and 5.15% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Pennington County, SD see 940 patients per year on average, which represents a 9.18% decrease from the previous year (1035 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1183 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 332 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

940 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Pennington County, SD

Primary care physicians in Pennington County, SD see an average of 940 patients per year. This represents a 9.18% decrease from the previous year (1,035 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Pennington County, SD in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.6% under 18 years, 19.8% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.3%

Uninsured

44.6%

Employer Coverage

11.1%

Medicaid

11.8%

Medicare

16%

Non-Group

5.15%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Pennington County, SD grew by 1.25% from 11.1% to 11.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Pennington County, SD changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 63.9 in Pennington County, SD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Pennington County, SD.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 29.3% in Pennington County, SD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Pennington County, SD.

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