Royston, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Royston, Georgia had a total population of 2,258, the 278th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $34,435, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Royston Quick Facts
How Royston Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,335 | 2,258 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $31,136 | $34,435 | +10.6% |
| Median home value | $220,500 | $220,800 | +0.1% |
How Royston Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Royston Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
Cities Similar to Royston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State University | 2,284 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Lavonia | 2,279 | $36,859 | $198,100 | 26.8% | 26.8% |
| Wrens | 2,187 | $37,609 | $123,400 | 6.6% | 26.1% |
| Georgetown-Quitman County | 2,264 | $40,179 | $104,600 | 12.4% | 15.7% |
| Homerville | 2,432 | $35,671 | $94,200 | 11.7% | 31.3% |
Population Overview
Royston is a small community located in Georgia, within Madison County. The total population is 2,258. It ranks as the 278th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Royston is 39.1 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 12.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Royston is $34,435. This is 55% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $220,800. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Royston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Royston, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Royston, Georgia?
Royston, Georgia has a population of 2,258 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Royston, GA?
The median household income in Royston is $34,435, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Royston, GA?
The poverty rate in Royston is 22.2%. This means approximately 475 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Royston, Georgia?
Royston's population is 59.0% White, 29.8% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Royston, GA?
The median home value in Royston is $220,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Royston, Georgia?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Royston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.