Rapid City closed out 2025 with a record-setting surge in sales tax collections, driven by a historic December that delivered the highest single‑month total in city history.
City officials reported more than $91.8 million in sales tax revenue for 2025 — a nearly 5% increase over the $87.5 million collected in 2024.
December’s receipts topped $10.2 million, the strongest month ever recorded in Rapid City.
The total was:
- Over $3 million higher than November’s $7 million
- $1.6 million higher than the previous record month, June 2025, which brought in $8.58 million
Finance Director Daniel Ainslie said warm weather and multiple major construction projects helped fuel the late‑year jump.
For 2025:
- General fund sales tax revenue increased 5.28%, finishing 2.5% above budget.
- Tourism tax collections dipped slightly in December (down 0.27% from December 2024)
- But overall tourism receipts were up 2.48% for the year
Ainslie noted the annual performance spotlights the importance of local shopping, visitor traffic, and construction activity in supporting Rapid City’s economy and capital improvement projects.
Ainslie is scheduled to present the full December and year-end 2025 report to the City’s Legal and Finance Committee during its meeting today at 12:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
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