Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2025 Boosts South Dakota's Economy

The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was a huge cash cow for South Dakota.

Cha Ching!

The South Dakota Department of Revenue estimates that tax collections from the 2025 rally totaled $1,581,736, a 13% increase over last year’s collections of $1,399,501. These figures include revenues from state sales tax, tourism tax, municipal sales tax, and municipal gross receipts tax.

State sales tax made up the largest portion, contributing $901,513—a notable rise from $790,805 collected in 2024. The 2025 rally also generated $299,619 in state tourism tax and $380,604 in municipal taxes.

More Vendors

This year’s rally saw a significant increase in vendor participation, with 1,181 temporary vendors, representing a 32% increase over 2024.

READ MORE: Lost and Found: The Most Bizarre Items Abandoned at the Sturgis Rally

In the Northern Black Hills—which includes Sturgis and surrounding communities in Meade and Lawrence counties—1,069 vendors generated $1,169,300 in tax revenue, an 18% increase from last year. Meanwhile, in the Southern Black Hills, including Rapid City, Custer, Hill City, and Keystone, 112 vendors brought in $412,436 in tax collections.

Big Crowds

Attendance was expected to be up for the 85th anniversary of the event, and it was.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation estimates an increased number of motorcycles of more than 11 percent during the 2025 festivities, compared to the five-year average.

In all, an estimated 537,459 vehicles made their way through Sturgis between August 1-10, far exceeding the average levels from 2020-2024 (482,987 vehicles).

Daily Counts

Monday (August 4) was the busiest day and saw the biggest uptick over the average, when 68,906 vehicles converged on the area - a 19 percent increase.

Friday, August 1: 56,000 vehicles (+8.2%)
Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025: 62,500 vehicles (+12.5%)
Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025: 60,495 vehicles (+2.4%)
Monday, Aug. 4, 2025: 68,906 vehicles (+19)
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025: 63,863 vehicles (+13.1%)
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025: 59,414 vehicles (+9.7%)
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025: 54,697 vehicles (+11.1%)
Friday, Aug. 8, 2025: 50,672 vehicles (+13.3%)
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025: 38,158 vehicles (+13.6%)
Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025: 22,754 vehicles (+10.9%)

Accident Figures

As for accident numbers, bigger crowds didn't lead to bigger numbers for the most part.

The roads in and around Sturgis were safer overall in 2025 with 54 non-injury traffic accidents, which is down 27 percent from 2024. Unfortunately, 35 of those accidents involved injuries, which is an increase of 86 percent from last year. Four people died in traffic accidents, which is one more than in the 2024 event.

Arrest Report

When it comes to criminal activity, the number of total citations was up five percent - from 1,455 last year to 1,524 this year, but arrests were down across the board.

There was a 36 percent drop in felony drug arrests (163 to 104), a 23 percent dip in DUI arrests (155 to 119), and a five percent reduction in misdemeanor drug arrests (281 to 265).

Plan Ahead
The 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is scheduled to take place August 7–16, 2026.

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Life on a Cattle Ranch in Western South Dakota

Life is different out in the country. One look at the photo from Robin Bickel and you quickly realize that a workday is quite different as well, after all, she lives out west in South Dakota Cattle Country.

Robin Bickel took time to tell KIKN Country a little bit about her life out west and life as a woman, working outdoors with animals and nature in God's Country. Bickel lives and works on a cattle ranch operated by herself, her father, Jack, and his brother Keith. How far out in the country is she? How does 50 miles west of Mobridge, South Dakota sound? Yep, mountain time out there.

Life is so different in Sioux Falls, South Dakota compared to what our friends on the farm and ranches deal with. It's a half-mile to the grocery store for our family. For Robin, it's 17 miles. However, it's a quick step out her door and she's right in the middle of where a lot of the groceries come from.

Gallery Credit: JD COllins

LOOK: 10 Reasons to Visit the South Dakota Badlands

Returning from a weekend trip to Rapid City, South Dakota for state basketball tournaments we decided to visit the Badlands National Park.

A quick turn-off I-90 will take you into some of the most awe-inspiring scenery.

It's also fun to note that several big-screen movies were filmed in the Badlands. Dances With Wolves, Starship Troopers, Armageddon, and most recently, Academy Award winner, Nomadland.

It's a spectacular park with tons to do. If you're setting out on a hike, bring lots of water and sign the hikers' logs at the trailheads. It could save your life. It's a tough place to survive.

Here are 10 facts about the Badlands:

Gallery Credit: Danny V

TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO SOUTH DAKOTA'S WALL DRUG

Source: South Dakota Sees A Surge In Revenue From Sturgis Rally

Filed Under: Tourism

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