Royal, IA

Iowa

Royal is a small town in Iowa with a population of 518. Residents earn $57,450 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
518 Population 1,727/sq mi density
$57,450 Median Income $27,831 per capita
$79,400 Home Value $100,881 Zillow
$798 Median Rent 21.6% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$57,450 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$79,400 home value, $798/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,450
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $79,400
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.7%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $798
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.2%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

How Royal Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population518
Median Age31.2 yrs
Density1,727/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans9.5%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,450
Per Capita$27,831
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$1,540M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$79,400
Rent$798
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$100,881
Rent Burden21.6%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.1%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain26.8 in/yr
Elevation1,416 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.7%
High School+95.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute24 min
Broadband89.5%
Libraries5

Is Royal a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Royal receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Royal offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Royal is $57,450, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Royal is $79,400, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $798 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Royal experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Royal has a population of 518 with a density of 1,727 people per square mile. The median age is 31.2 years, 20% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95%), with 1.5% Black.

Population

518
Total Population
1,727
People / sq mi
31.2yrs
Median Age
20% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Royal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.1%
12% above US avg
Spanish11.9%
11% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Royal vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Royal is $57,450, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Royal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,450
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,831
Avg Weekly Wage$1,029
IRS Avg AGI$77,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)742
County GDP$1,540M

Business (County)

Restaurants48
Healthcare57
Retail97
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,811
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.6 min
Drive Alone65.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Royal is $79,400, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $798 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $100,881.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$79,400
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$100,881

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$95
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio94.6%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$798
31% below US avg
Rent Burden21.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,811
37% above US avg
Effective Rate6.06%
In Royal, 35.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.1% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Royal vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.2%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma9.9%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.5%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.4%
Checkup Rate74.1%
Premature Death7,924/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access74.6%
Healthcare Facilities57

Crime Rates: Royal vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Royal has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.8 inches
29% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,416 ft (432 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density1,727/sq mi
Coordinates43.0644°N, 95.2837°W
County FIPS19041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.2-point margin. 89.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 43.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.7%
42% below US avg
High School+95.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,727/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.5%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities57
Restaurants48
Retail Stores97

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.6 min
Drive Alone65.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Royal with another city: