Royal Oak, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Royal Oak, Michigan had a total population of 57,950, the 22nd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $101,109, which is 39% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan.
- 64.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Royal Oak Quick Facts
How Royal Oak Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,195 | 57,950 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $100,506 | $101,109 | No clear change (+0.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $276,417 | $328,700 | +18.9% |
| Median gross rent | $1,328 | $1,381 | No clear change (+4.0%) |
How Royal Oak Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 80.3%
- Black: 6.0%
- Hispanic: 4.6%
- Asian: 3.5%
- Other: 0.6%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 2.9%
- HS Diploma: 10.6%
- Some College: 15.8%
- Associate's: 6.6%
- Bachelor's: 38.5%
- Graduate+: 25.6%
Royal Oak Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 87,898 | $120,045 | 5.4% | $420,300 |
| Farmington Hills | 83,515 | $104,836 | 7.6% | $354,500 |
| Rochester Hills | 77,089 | $120,694 | 5.2% | $409,800 |
| Southfield | 76,236 | $68,166 | 10.3% | $236,200 |
| Novi | 66,717 | $110,723 | 5.4% | $421,900 |
| Pontiac | 62,104 | $44,329 | 24.4% | $121,700 |
| Oak Park | 29,318 | $71,510 | 12.0% | $212,300 |
| Madison Heights | 28,419 | $69,503 | 10.8% | $199,100 |
| Auburn Hills | 25,105 | $84,375 | 11.1% | $245,000 |
| Birmingham | 21,763 | $153,510 | 5.1% | $698,300 |
Cities Similar to Royal Oak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clair Shores | 58,140 | $73,500 | $210,700 | 29.7% | 8.4% |
| Novi | 66,717 | $110,723 | $421,900 | 64.1% | 5.4% |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | $268,200 | 36.7% | 10.4% |
| Portage | 49,259 | $83,212 | $262,300 | 47.9% | 7.1% |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | $152,600 | 16.4% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Royal Oak is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 57,950. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Royal Oak is 36.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Royal Oak is $101,109. This is 39% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $328,700. Housing costs are 42% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 68.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Royal Oak is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.0%. The Black or African American population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
64.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Royal Oak in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.1%. Notably, 25.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Royal Oak, Michigan 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 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. 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 Oak, Michigan?
Royal Oak, Michigan has a population of 57,950 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Royal Oak, MI?
The median household income in Royal Oak is $101,109, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Royal Oak, MI?
The poverty rate in Royal Oak is 6.2%. This means approximately 3,574 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Royal Oak, Michigan?
Royal Oak's population is 80.3% White, 6.0% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Royal Oak, MI?
The median home value in Royal Oak is $328,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Royal Oak, Michigan?
64.1% of adults (25+) in Royal Oak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.