Royal, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Royal, Illinois had a total population of 292, the 1091st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $86,250, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.7% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Royal Quick Facts
How Royal 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 | 313 | 292 | -6.7% |
| Median household income | $93,500 | $86,250 | -7.8% |
| Median home value | $144,600 | $161,200 | +11.5% |
How Royal 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Royal Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Champaign County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 89,996 | $56,118 | 25.9% | $210,900 |
| Urbana | 39,341 | $45,346 | 28.0% | $184,900 |
| Rantoul | 12,421 | $48,691 | 16.9% | $118,200 |
| Mahomet | 10,049 | $118,586 | 3.8% | $299,100 |
| Savoy | 8,968 | $91,966 | 7.9% | $320,300 |
| St. Joseph | 3,778 | $120,789 | 4.1% | $270,900 |
| Tolono | 3,566 | $69,653 | 4.6% | $208,600 |
| Lake of the Woods | 2,091 | $61,625 | 4.7% | $193,500 |
| Fisher | 1,605 | $97,702 | 2.1% | $190,100 |
| Philo | 1,487 | $105,625 | 10.3% | $205,400 |
Cities Similar to Royal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggsville | 294 | $86,250 | $83,500 | 23.3% | 10.9% |
| Royal Lakes | 301 | N/A | $54,300 | 3.3% | 24.3% |
| Ste. Marie | 281 | $86,250 | $102,400 | 20.6% | 4.3% |
| Troy Grove | 300 | $83,917 | $200,800 | 30.1% | 47.3% |
| Kangley | 302 | $88,125 | $96,100 | 16.4% | 8.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 292, Royal's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Royal is a small community located in Illinois, within Champaign County. The total population is 292. It ranks as the 1091st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Royal is 39.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years. 11.0% 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 Royal is $86,250. This is 3% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.7%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $161,200. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Royal is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Royal has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.3% vs 58.1%).
Education
22.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Royal, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 Royal, Illinois?
Royal, Illinois has a population of 292 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Royal, IL?
The median household income in Royal is $86,250, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Royal, IL?
The poverty rate in Royal is 2.7%. This means approximately 8 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Royal, Illinois?
Royal's population is 87.3% White, 8.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Royal, IL?
The median home value in Royal is $161,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Royal, Illinois?
22.2% of adults (25+) in Royal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.