Rapid City lies east of Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota. It’s known as “The City of Presidents,” due to its proximity to Mount Rushmore, and 43 life-size bronze presidential statues throughout its downtown. Founded in 1876, Rapid City is split by a low mountain ridge that divides the city’s western and eastern sections. The city covers 55.1 square miles, and it has a median age of 37.2 (2022). Its economy is mainly driven by tourism, government services, and financial services.

Chartered in 1856 on the banks of the Big Sioux River, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has earned many accolades for being a great place to live. It was incorporated as a village in 1876 and became a city in March 1889. It now covers 81.9 square miles, and has a median age of 34.2 (2022). Retail, finance, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and distribution and trade are the main drivers of its economy.