Royal City, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Royal City, Washington had a total population of 1,683, the 335th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $50,478, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.0% is notably above the national average.
Royal City Quick Facts
How Royal City 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 | 1,615 | 1,683 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $49,417 | $50,478 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $180,300 | $228,600 | +26.8% |
How Royal City 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: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Royal City Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake | 26,083 | $74,752 | 15.8% | $310,000 |
| Ephrata | 8,560 | $69,551 | 20.8% | $252,000 |
| Quincy | 7,998 | $87,902 | 6.2% | $336,800 |
| Cascade Valley | 4,609 | $60,715 | 12.6% | N/A |
| Moses Lake North | 4,517 | $57,602 | 29.8% | $242,200 |
| Mattawa | 3,616 | $38,388 | 33.3% | N/A |
| Desert Aire | 2,788 | $85,960 | 7.8% | $455,100 |
| Warden | 2,581 | $57,743 | 20.9% | $189,900 |
| Coulee Dam | 1,595 | $66,732 | 15.8% | $238,500 |
| Lakeview | 1,584 | $45,787 | 18.6% | $195,200 |
Cities Similar to Royal City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 1,792 | $52,375 | $177,000 | 5.8% | 11.9% |
| Kettle Falls | 1,575 | $48,682 | $250,000 | 16.8% | 14.5% |
| Long Beach | 1,792 | $53,032 | $362,700 | 22.9% | 13.1% |
| Lakeview | 1,584 | $45,787 | $195,200 | 12.0% | 18.6% |
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | $368,000 | 19.2% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Royal City is a small community located in Washington, within Grant County. The total population is 1,683. It ranks as the 335th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Royal City is 24.6 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 37.7% of the population under 18, Royal City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Royal City is $50,478. This is 49% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.8%. This is 262% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. 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 18.0%. This is 254% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $228,600. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Royal City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 80.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.8%) is well below the state average of 63.1%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (80.7% vs 14.4%).
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 45.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Royal City, Washington 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 Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. 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 City, Washington?
Royal City, Washington has a population of 1,683 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Royal City, WA?
The median household income in Royal City is $50,478, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Royal City, WA?
The poverty rate in Royal City is 35.8%. This means approximately 596 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Royal City, Washington?
Royal City's population is 18.8% White, 0.5% Black, 80.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Royal City, WA?
The median home value in Royal City is $228,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Royal City, Washington?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Royal City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.