City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Royston, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Royston - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,335
Residents
$31,136
Median income
$220,500
Median home
$1,017
Median rent (state)

Royston - the verdict

Nationally, Royston sits in the 3rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

3rd
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Royston, GA

2,335 people live in Royston, Georgia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $31,136 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.6%. Royston's housing stock carries a median value of $220,500, and the median resident age is 40.0 years. About 21.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 44.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Royston (No Permits), per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Georgia at 96.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,017 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Georgia run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Royston workers runs 31.4 minutes, with 73.7% driving alone and 3.5% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 33.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,335 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$31,136 /yr

Poverty 20.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Royston compare to other US cities?

Here's how Royston stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Royston's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Georgia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

3rdIncome percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Royston's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$220,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Royston $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Royston, GA Royston, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Royston, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Royston, GA median $31,136/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Royston, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Royston, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,335
Median Income
$31,136
Median Home Value
$220,500
Median Age
40.0
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Labor force participation
44.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.8%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,620 residents2,640 residents2,660 residents2,680 residents2,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,642 residents 2,693 residents ▲ +1.9%
Royston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
31.4 minutes
Drive Alone
73.7%
Carpool
14.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
3.5%
Other
7.0%

Based on 811 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Royston sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,017/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
33.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Demorest
2,335 people
Deenwood
2,340 people
Webster County unified government
2,348 people
Aragon
2,304 people
Gumlog
2,303 people
Brooklet
2,295 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Royston's 2,335 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Aristocrat Ranchettes, CO
2,335 people
Temple, PA
2,335 people
Ben Avon, SC
2,334 people
Dyer, TN
2,334 people
Blanco, TX
2,336 people
Pierre Part, LA
2,333 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Royston's $31,136 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rocksprings, TX
$31,125 median income
East Prairie, MO
$31,159 median income
Pickens, MS
$31,107 median income
Weaubleau, MO
$31,103 median income
Logan, WV
$31,100 median income
Mathis, TX
$31,090 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Royston, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Royston, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.9% 30.1% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.4% White 60.9% Black or African American 30.1% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 6.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Royston compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Royston (this city) 2,335 $31,136
Demorest 2,335 $69,583
Deenwood 2,340 $57,717
Webster County unified government 2,348 $40,764
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Royston, GA?

What is the population of Royston, GA? +

Royston, GA counts 2,335 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Royston, GA? +

Median annual household income in Royston runs $31,136, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Royston? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Royston; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Royston, GA? +

Royston's median home value sits at $220,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.