1st Advantage MortgageAbout 69% of Pennington County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $74,517. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Pennington County by the numbers
- Household income in Pennington County
- Pennington County housing compared with South Dakota
- The Pennington County job picture
- The communities that make up Pennington County
- How Pennington County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Pennington County
- Local borrowing considerations for Pennington County
- More Pennington County figures
- Steps before you apply in Pennington County
- South Dakota rules that apply in Pennington County
- More guides for Pennington County
- Frequently asked questions
Pennington County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pennington County's population at 113,512; only 1 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. It covers 2,777 square miles of land, or about 41 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Rapid City, SD metropolitan area. Of the 14 Census places inside Pennington County, Rapid City leads by population with about 77,946; 8 of the 14 are incorporated.
Household income in Pennington County
Half of Pennington County households take in less than $74,517 a year and half take in more, about the same as the South Dakota median of $75,081. In the state ranking that is 24th of 66.
| Household income | Pennington County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.9% | 0.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | -2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.9% | +0.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 34% of Pennington County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 11.2%, 1 point lower than the state's 11.9%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.460 here. For a borrower in Pennington County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Pennington County housing compared with South Dakota
A typical Pennington County rental runs $1,120 a month including utilities, which is 18% above South Dakota. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. With a median value of $302,200, a typical Pennington County house costs 4.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 69% of homes. Median construction year: 1982.
| Home costs | Pennington County | South Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,120/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $302,200 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 11% | n/a |
The Pennington County job picture
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Pennington County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Education and health care stands out: 27% of workers here, versus 25% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 77% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 5.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Pennington County workers | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.6% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.3% | +2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.6% | -3.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The communities that make up Pennington County
The table lists the 14 largest of 14 Census places in Pennington County, by population. Together all 14 hold about 106,329 people, so roughly 6% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $56,250 in New Underwood to $102,716 in Johnson Siding. Rent is cheapest in New Underwood ($850) and steepest in Box Elder ($1,491). This guide covers each of the 14 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | city | 77,946 | $70,870 | $1,109 | 20 mi |
| Box Elder | city | 12,902 | $73,008 | $1,491 | 15 mi |
| Rapid Valley | CDP | 6,975 | $83,208 | $1,174 | 15 mi |
| Colonial Pine Hills | CDP | 2,609 | $98,696 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Green Valley | CDP | 1,642 | $81,582 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Ashland Heights | CDP | 1,105 | $57,353 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Hill City | city | 834 | $95,385 | $1,345 | 37 mi |
| Johnson Siding | CDP | 704 | $102,716 | n/a | 31 mi |
| Wall | town | 622 | $58,984 | n/a | 29 mi |
| New Underwood | city | 509 | $56,250 | $850 | 7 mi |
| Keystone | town | 336 | $64,702 | $546 | 31 mi |
| Wasta | town | 70 | $34,375 | $775 | 19 mi |
| Quinn | town | 48 | $79,000 | n/a | 35 mi |
| Caputa | CDP | 27 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
How Pennington County compares with nearby counties
Custer County is closest, 39 miles from center to center; the sixth, Fall River County, is 64 miles off. Custer County leads the group on income ($84,112), Jackson County trails ($35,417), and Pennington County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennington County | - | $74,517 | $1,120/mo | 69% |
| Custer County, SD | 39 mi | $84,112 | $1,112/mo | 86% |
| Meade County, SD | 42 mi | $74,790 | $1,264/mo | 73% |
| Oglala Lakota County, SD | 48 mi | $41,417 | $584/mo | 51% |
| Lawrence County, SD | 54 mi | $73,384 | $938/mo | 65% |
| Jackson County, SD | 64 mi | $35,417 | $442/mo | 67% |
| Fall River County, SD | 64 mi | $67,917 | $931/mo | 72% |
Room for a loan payment in Pennington County
Pennington County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $6,210 a month: gross income for a household at the Pennington County median
- Housing at the median rent of $1,120 uses 18%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,116 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Pennington County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Pennington County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Pennington County. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
More Pennington County figures
Degree holders: 35% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 10.2%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Pennington County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.6% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.4% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 45.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Steps before you apply in Pennington County
Steps that save money for Pennington County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
South Dakota rules that apply in Pennington County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Pennington County resident can confirm its license with the South Dakota Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The South Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Pennington County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Pennington County?
$74,517 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,081 for South Dakota. It ranks 24th of 66 in the state.
What do renters pay in Pennington County?
$1,120 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Pennington County?
By population: Rapid City, Box Elder, Rapid Valley, Colonial Pine Hills, Green Valley. The county has 14 Census places in all.
Are Pennington County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Pennington County?
Start with the South Dakota Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.