Royse City is a city in Rockwall County in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

. It also extends into Collin and

Hunt Hunting is the Human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, and killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to obtain the animal's body for meat and useful animal products (fur/hide (sk ...

counties. The population was 2,957 at the 2000 census, rising to 9,349 in 2010. The estimated population in 2018 was 12,998. In 2020, its population grew to 13,508.

History

Garrett Burgess Griffin Royse, better known as Byrd Royse, was born in

Adair County, Kentucky Adair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,903. Its county seat and only municipality is Columbia. The county was founded in 1801 and named for John Adair, then Speaker of t ...

, on January 31, 1838, to William and Mary Stone Royse. He was the seventh of 14 children. ''Circa'' 1850, Royse's future grandmother-in-law, Mrs. Nancy McCasland, and her sons bought several tracts of land that were later to become known as Royse City. Royse was instrumental in getting the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway line brought from Greenville to

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

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 A garland is a decorative braid, knot or wreath of flowers, leaves, or other material. Garlands can be worn on the head or around the neck, hung on an inanimate object, or laid in a place of cultural or religious importance. In contemporary times ...

(21 miles away) and

(33 miles).

Interstate 30 Interstate 30 (I-30) is a major Interstate Highway in the southern states of Texas and Arkansas in the United States. I-30 travels 366.76 miles from Interstate 20, I-20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, and Texarkana, Texas ...

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 northeastern corner of Rockwall County, and extends north into Collin County and east into Hunt County. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, Royse City has a total area of , of which are land and , or 0.75%, is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,508 people, 4,608 households, and 3,711 families residing in the city. In 2000, 2,957 people, 1,027 households, and 781 families were residing in the city. At the 2000 census, 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. Following nationwide trends of greater diversification, the racial and ethnic makeup in 2020 was 61.67%

non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic Whites, also referred to as White Anglo Americans or Non-Latino Whites, are White Americans who are classified by the United States census as "White" and not of Hispanic or Latino origin. According to annual estimates from the Unit ...

, 8.31% Black or African American, 1.64% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.26% some other race, 4.46% multiracial, and 23.11% Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000, 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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $17,153. About 8.4% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, 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 A commuter town is a populated area that is primarily residential rather than commercial or industrial. Routine travel from home to work and back is called commuting, which is where the term comes from. A commuter town may be called by many o ...

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.

Education

The entirety of Royse City is served by the

Royse City Independent School District Royse City Independent School District is a public school district based in Royse City, Texas, Royse City, Texas (United States, USA). The district lies in eastern Rockwall County, Texas, Rockwall County, and extends into parts of Collin County ...

. Royse City High School (RCHS) is only high school serving the entirety of Royse City. In the 2024 '' U.S. News & World Report'' high school rankings, RCHS ranked #569 in Texas and #183 in the Dallas Metro Area.

Infrastructure

Roads

* is the primary route through Royse City. * .

Notable people

* Taylor Hearn, baseball player * Gus Ketchum, baseball player * Olivia Mojica, semi-finalist from American Idol * Glen Payne, southern gospel vocalist, formerly of the Cathedral Quartet

Notes

References

External links

Royse City official website

Royse City Chamber of Commerce
{{authority control Cities in Texas Cities in Collin County, Texas Cities in Rockwall County, Texas Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex Populated places established in 1885 1885 establishments in Texas