Royse City is a city in Rockwall County in the U.S. state of Texas. It also extends into Collin and Hunt Counties. The population was 2,957 at the 2000 census, rising to 9,349 in 2010. The estimated population in 2018 was 12,998.
History
Garrett Burgess Griffin Royse, better known as Byrd Royse, was born in Adair County, Kentucky, on January 31, 1838, to William and Mary Stone Royse. He was the seventh of 14 children. Around 1850, Royse's future grandmother-in-law, Mrs. Nancy McCasland, and her sons bought several tracts of land that were later to be known as Royse City.
Royse was instrumental in getting the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway line brought from Greenville to Dallas through Rockwall County. Royse City was settled in 1885, when the railway came through the area. The town was named after G. B. Royse, who plotted the town and sold the first lots.
After its founding, Royse City preserved its stable, small, country-town status due to its proximity to Garland (21 miles away) and Dallas (33 miles).
Interstate 30 was constructed just south of the city in the mid-1960s. The city grew south to meet the interstate.
In 2000, Royse City had a population of 2,957. Still a small town, Royse City was feeling the impacts of the rapid growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, along with Rockwall County. The city's location along Interstate 30 between Rockwall and Greenville helped to fuel this growth.
Royse City has grown rapidly to the north and south as newer subdivisions have been built. By 2010, Royse City had a population of 9,349, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents a growth rate of 216.2%.
Geography
Royse City is located in the northeast corner of Rockwall County, and extends north into Collin County and east into Hunt County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Royse City has a total area of , of which are land and , or 0.75%, is covered by water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,508 people, 4,608 households, and 3,711 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 2,957 people, 1,027 households, and 781 families were residing in the city. The population density was 289.8 people per square mile (111.9/km2). The 1,089 housing units averaged 106.7 per mi2 (41.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.44% White, 7.51% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 9.54% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 20.97% of the population.
Of the 1,027 households, 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were not families. About 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88, and the average family size was 3.34.
In the city, the age distribution was 32.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,266, and for a family was $48,804. Males had a median income of $30,966 versus $23,804 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,153. About 8.4% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Royse City serves as a bedroom community for nearby Dallas and Greenville. Most of the development in the city is residential.
The local economy consists of service businesses, restaurants, stores, schools, and medical offices. In June 2019, the popular travel center chain Buc-ee's added a store in Royse City.
In 2007, Royse City was designated as an official Texas Main Street City. The Royse City Main Street program was set up to promote the city's downtown area, where the goals are to foster a thriving business district, while preserving historic buildings.
In 2015, construction was completed on an overpass at Interstate 30 and Erby Campbell Blvd. Walmart and CVS opened stores in Royse City shortly thereafter.
Education
Public schools
Royse City is served by the Royse City Independent School District.
Infrastructure
Roads
Interstate 30 is the primary route through Royse City.
Texas State Highway 66.
Notable people
Taylor Hearn, baseball player
Gus Ketchum, baseball player
Olivia Mojica, semi-finalist from American Idol
Glen Payne, musician
