Royal Pines, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Royal Pines, North Carolina had a total population of 4,325, the 198th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $107,885, which is 49% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 57.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Royal Pines Quick Facts
How Royal Pines 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 | 4,528 | 4,325 | -4.5% |
| Median household income | $105,956 | $107,885 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $369,500 | $400,200 | +8.3% |
How Royal Pines 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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Royal Pines Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Buncombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | 14.2% | $440,000 |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | 5.9% | $358,900 |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | 14.1% | $366,700 |
| Swannanoa | 6,901 | $69,760 | 16.8% | $287,500 |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | 4.2% | $463,700 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | 1.4% | $412,900 |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | 11.3% | $92,300 |
| Fairview | 2,298 | $92,132 | 25.1% | $439,600 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | 2.0% | $1,333,300 |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | 15.6% | $404,000 |
Cities Similar to Royal Pines
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Oaks | 4,293 | $107,604 | $349,300 | 46.1% | 20.4% |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | $343,100 | 65.8% | 3.5% |
| Swansboro | 3,997 | $114,425 | $378,700 | 39.8% | 14.1% |
| Troutman | 3,995 | $98,462 | $398,800 | 41.4% | 6.1% |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | $437,700 | 37.4% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Royal Pines is a small community located in North Carolina, within Buncombe County. The total population is 4,325. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Royal Pines is 41.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Royal Pines is $107,885. This is 49% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 88% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $400,200. Housing costs are 39% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 88.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Royal Pines has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.7% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
57.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Royal Pines in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.8%. Notably, 25.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Royal Pines, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Royal Pines, North Carolina?
Royal Pines, North Carolina has a population of 4,325 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Royal Pines, NC?
The median household income in Royal Pines is $107,885, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Royal Pines, NC?
The poverty rate in Royal Pines is 1.5%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Royal Pines, North Carolina?
Royal Pines's population is 90.7% White, 0.8% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Royal Pines, NC?
The median home value in Royal Pines is $400,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Royal Pines, North Carolina?
57.1% of adults (25+) in Royal Pines hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.