City · Georgia
Royston, Georgia
Royston, city, mostly in Franklin County (75.1% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Hart and Madison counties, Georgia. Royston had 2,693 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,649 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,258 (±404). GEOID 1367452.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,693
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,649 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,258 ±404
Median household income
$34,435
±$3,470 (90% margin)
Georgia: $77,353
Median home value
$220,800
±$29,325 (90% margin)
Georgia: $303,300
Median gross rent
$545
±$150 (90% margin)
Georgia: $1,393
Where is Royston and what county is it in?
Royston is a city mostly in Franklin County (75.1% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Hart and Madison counties, Georgia. It covers 3.3 square miles of land, 803 residents per square mile in 2020.
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 1,989 | 75.1% |
| Hart County | 659 | 24.9% |
| Madison County | 1 | 0.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Royston, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,693 people lived in Royston on July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than Georgia (+5.5%). The 2020 Census counted 2,649 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,258 (±404).
| Measure | Royston | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,258 ±404 | 24,234 | no clear change |
| Households | 974 ±180 | 8,994 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.21 ±0.24 | 2.62 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,120 ±190 | 10,905 | no clear change |
Royston's population since 2000
From 2,493 in 2000 to 2,693 in 2025: up 8.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Royston as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Royston?
The median resident of Royston is 39.1 years old; 27.6% are under 18 and 22.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 59.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.8%.
| Measure | Royston | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 ±8.7 | 40.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.6% ±4.8 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.0% ±6.4 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Male | 45.4% ±4.4 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% ±2.1 pts | 5.4% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 59.0% ±9.3 pts | 80.9% | −17.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.8% ±8.0 pts | 8.8% | +11.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±6.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.5% ±5.5 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.6% ±4.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.1% ±4.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2% ±3.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 19.8% ±5.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.6% ±5.7 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.5% ±7.2 pts | 83.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.2% ±9.1 pts | 17.8% | +13.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.7% ±5.5 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.6% ±8.6 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Royston earn?
Half of Royston's 974 households earn less than $34,435 a year (±$3,470), against $53,046 in Franklin County and $77,353 in Georgia. In 2015-2019 the median was $25,998 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,437 after inflation. 22.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Royston | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $34,435 ±$3,470 | $53,046 | +$8,437 |
| Mean household income | $62,727 ±$16,765 | $74,204 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,954 ±$7,236 | $30,074 | +$10,182 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.2% ±8.5 pts | 19.5% | −13.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.3% ±21.3 pts | 28.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.6% ±8.6 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 84.2% ±6.9 pts | 90.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 68.3% ±9.4 pts | 82.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Royston?
Owners occupy 61.3% of Royston's occupied homes and renters 38.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $220,800 by its owner (±$29,325). The median renter pays $545 a month including utilities, and 15.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Royston | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $220,800 ±$29,325 | $179,000 | +$98,100 |
| Median gross rent | $545 ±$150 | $844 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 15.7% ±9.5 pts | 26.7% | −22.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,386 ±$118 | $1,432 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.3% ±9.5 pts | 77.2% | +18.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.7% ±9.5 pts | 22.8% | – |
| Housing units | 1,120 ±190 | 10,905 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 5.8% ±6.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±5.8 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.8% ±7.9 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.9% ±4.4 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.2% ±2.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.1% ±3.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 19.2% ±6.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Royston building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Royston in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 5.4 across Georgia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Royston work and get to work?
75.1% of Royston's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 36.1 minutes.
| Measure | Royston | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.3% ±7.7 pts | 53.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% ±3.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.1% ±9.7 pts | 78.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.6% ±9.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±6.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.7% ±1.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.3% ±2.5 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.1 min ±7.2 | 27.0 min | +13.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Royston?
1 census tract lies mostly in Royston, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8904.02Franklin County | 3,018 | $40,214 |
| Tract 9603Hart County | 3,467 | $56,129 |
| Tract 206Madison County | 2,107 | $61,528 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Royston) · Census block assignment files
How does Royston compare with other places in Georgia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Royston is the 6,671st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 216th-most populous of 537 in Georgia.
Royston ranks 324th of 348 places in Georgia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 216th | 537 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 183rd | 297 |
| Residents per square mile | 200th | 360 |
| Median household income | 324th | 348 |
| Per capita income | 210th | 357 |
| Median home value | 177th | 346 |
| Median gross rent | 331st | 337 |
| Poverty rate | 113th | 302 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 137th | 343 |
| Median age | 126th | 360 |
| Owner-occupied share | 157th | 354 |
| Travel time to work | 25th | 359 |
Royston's figures with every place in Georgia (CSV)
Every place in Georgia, sortable · Compare Royston with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Royston?
20 of the 57 figures for Royston on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Royston are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Royston.