Royal Oak city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Royal Oak city, Michigan has a total population of 57,880, the 22nd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $95,182, which is 34% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan.
- 62.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Royal Oak city Quick Facts
How Royal Oak city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Royal Oak city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy city | 87,307 | $119,299 | 5.3% | $396,800 |
| Farmington Hills city | 83,316 | $101,863 | 6.3% | $333,200 |
| Rochester Hills city | 76,086 | $119,054 | 4.9% | $377,400 |
| Southfield city | 76,025 | $65,848 | 11.2% | $226,900 |
| Novi city | 66,224 | $110,938 | 4.7% | $399,100 |
| Pontiac city | 61,914 | $42,791 | 25.6% | $110,600 |
| Oak Park city | 29,370 | $65,882 | 14.2% | $198,500 |
| Madison Heights city | 28,411 | $66,726 | 11.3% | $190,300 |
| Auburn Hills city | 24,911 | $78,727 | 11.2% | $233,900 |
| Birmingham city | 21,612 | $153,125 | 4.9% | $712,700 |
Cities Similar to Royal Oak city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clair Shores city | 58,287 | $72,693 | $196,400 | 29.4% | 7.7% |
| Kentwood city | 54,114 | $73,647 | $249,000 | 35.1% | 9.4% |
| Novi city | 66,224 | $110,938 | $399,100 | 61.2% | 4.7% |
| Portage city | 49,015 | $79,529 | $243,400 | 48.4% | 7.5% |
| Dearborn Heights city | 62,099 | $61,035 | $174,900 | 23.9% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Royal Oak city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 57,880. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Royal Oak city is 36.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Royal Oak city is $95,182. This is 34% higher than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $305,900. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Royal Oak city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 13.2%.
Education
62.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Royal Oak city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 97% higher than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.5%. Notably, 24.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Royal Oak city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Royal Oak city, Michigan?
Royal Oak city, Michigan has a population of 57,880 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Royal Oak city, MI?
The median household income in Royal Oak city is $95,182, which is 21% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Royal Oak city, MI?
The poverty rate in Royal Oak city is 5.9%. This means approximately 3,428 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Royal Oak city, Michigan?
Royal Oak city's population is 80.8% White, 6.1% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Royal Oak city, MI?
The median home value in Royal Oak city is $305,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Royal Oak city, Michigan?
62.6% of adults (25+) in Royal Oak city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.