About the Box Elder and Ellsworth Communities
We support local businesses through efforts to create a strong business environment, networking opportunities and to grow professional connections.
Box Elder, home to Ellsworth Air Force Base, is a growing residential community for both military and civilian families. It is the 12th largest city in South Dakota with a population slightly over 12,000 people. It’s also the third fastest-growing city in South Dakota.
Founded in 1907 as a whistle stop on the Chicago & North Western Railroad line, Box Elder took on an important new role in 1941 as home to the Rapid City Army Air Base. During World War II, the base was a training facility B-17 bomber crews. It later served in a variety of roles. In 1953, it was named renamed in honor of Brig. Gen. Richard Ellsworth, who died in a crash over Newfoundland.
During the Cold War, Ellsworth was a missile and bomber base, hosting a missile wing and a fleet of B-52 bombers. In 1987, the B-1B Lancer bombers came to Ellsworth. Today, Ellsworth has 28 of the sleek B-1s. The most recently unveiled B-21 Raider will join soon.
Ellsworth’s total impact on the South Dakota economy is estimated at $331 million. Also, Box Elder is fast becoming the go-to destination for young families seeking affordable housing. Between 2010 and 2013, the city issued more than $71 million in building permits, mostly for single-family homes. We continue to grow with 7 different housing areas being built in.
On March 27, 2019, Ellsworth AFB was selected as the home to the B-21 Formal Training Unit and will be the first base to receive an operational squadron of B-21 Raider bombers. This is huge for Box Elder, western SD and the state. We look forward to the integration of this very important new mission.
Box Elder
- 2020 Population: 10,551
- Climate: Winter Average High 28 °F / Summer Average High 84.7°F
- Zip Code: 57719
- Owner Occupied Housing Unit Rate, 2015-2019:46.8%
- Median household income 2015-2019: $53,382
- Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019: $160,700