The population of Royal Oak is 59,040 according to the 2020 census. This makes it the 19th most populous city in Michigan and the 656th most populous in the United States. Royal Oak is located in Oakland County. The population of Royal Oak has grown by 3.15% since the 2010 census, which is below the state average growth rate. The city spans over twelve square miles, and its population density is 5,007 people per square mile.
Those in Royal Oak, MI are 35 years old on average. The median age was 36 for both native and foreign-born residents. Those aged 65 and older comprise 14.2% of the population. The unemployment rate in Royal Oak, Michigan was 3.2%. This figure includes government employees, those employed in the private sector, and those unemployed. However, the city has a relatively low rate of unemployment compared to other areas of the country.
As of 2019, the median property value of Royal Oak, MI is $224,600, or 0.934 times smaller than the national average. The city's homeownership rate is 67.4%, indicating that many residents have their own homes. The city is also home to the Detroit Zoo, one of the top tourist attractions in southeast Michigan. The city is served by the Daily Tribune, Oakland Press, and Royal Oak Review.
Despite its low cost, the city is home to many businesses. Livingston County has the largest percentage of black residents in Michigan, and the city ranks fourth among all communities in per capita income. The city also has a high school, which serves the entire population of Royal Oak. Several of the public schools are closed, which sparked protests by local residents. In 2007, the city's high school was merged with two middle schools. This left six elementary schools. Parents have protested the planned closures, and some of them have filed applications to have their schools recognized as historic districts.