Royal Lakes, Illinois Explained

Royal Lakes, Illinois
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:USA
Pushpin Label Position:top
Pushpin Label:Royal Lakes
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the United States
Coordinates:39.1117°N -89.9606°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Illinois
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Macoupin
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Hillyard
Established Title:Founded
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Title1:Village president
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:1.33
Area Total Sq Mi:0.51
Area Land Km2:1.21
Area Land Sq Mi:0.47
Area Water Km2:0.12
Area Water Sq Mi:0.05
Elevation Ft:640
Population As Of:2020
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:167
Population Density Km2:138.49
Population Density Sq Mi:358.37
Timezone1:CST
Utc Offset1:-6
Timezone1 Dst:CDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:62685
Area Code:618
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:17-66196
Footnotes:[3]

Royal Lakes is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 167 at the 2020 census,[2] down from 197 in 2010.

Geography

Royal Lakes is located at 39.1117°N -89.9606°W (39.1116990, -89.9606600)[3] in Hillyard Township in southern Macoupin County. Royal Lakes lies at the southwestern corner of two intersecting roads, Illinois Route 16 and Illinois Route 159. The nearest large cities are St. Louis, approximately 45miles to the southwest, and Springfield, around 60miles northeast of the village.

According to the 2010 census, Royal Lakes has a total area of 0.512sqmi, of which 0.466sqmi are land and 0.046sqmi (or 8.98%) are water.[1]

Lakes

Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – are located within the village of Royal Lakes.[4]

Shad Lake is an impoundment on Coop Branch, a northwest-flowing tributary of Macoupin Creek, while Meshach and Shadrach Lakes are built on separate tributaries of Coop Branch. The entire community is within the Illinois River watershed.

History

The site that would eventually become Royal Lakes was purchased by a Chicago developer in 1956.[5] [6] The 320acres tract was to be developed as a resort-style community. Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – were constructed for recreational purposes and the remaining land was divided into 2,435 lots, each measuring 25by.[7] Royal Lakes was marketed as an affordable resort location in a rural setting. The community was heavily promoted in the predominantly African American neighborhoods of St. Louis and East St. Louis.[7] In 1957, the first families moved into Royal Lakes. A community church was organized in 1961, and the congregation moved into a permanent building seven years later.

Due to Royal Lakes' status as a "resort" area, a lack of zoning regulations meant that there had been no provisions for the developer to provide basic infrastructure. With no road maintenance, water supply, or proper sewage disposal, the overall quality of life for residents of the community deteriorated. By the early 1970s, residents agreed that the only way to improve conditions in the community was through incorporation. An incorporation election was held in October 1972. Of the 98 votes cast, 89 were in favor of incorporation and 9 opposed. Royal Lakes officially became the Village of Royal Lakes.[7] [8]

The village's first mayor, Thomas J. Stoddard, and other members of the municipal government took office in April 1973.

Demographics

2020 census

Royal Lakes village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)!Pop 2010[9] !Pop 2020[10] !% 2010!% 2020
White alone (NH)626831.47%40.72%
Black or African American alone (NH)1278564.47%50.90%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)130.51%1.80%
Asian alone (NH)100.51%0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)000.00%0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)000.00%0.00%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)1100.51%5.99%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)512.54%0.60%
Total197167100.00%100.00%

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 190 people, 80 households, and 46 families residing in the village. The population density was 408.1sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 121 housing units at an average density of 259.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the village was 15.79% White, 80.53% African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.05% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 80 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $17,708, and the median income for a family was $21,042. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,049. About 19.1% of families and 27.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 27.8% of those 65 or over.

Education

Public education in the village of Royal Lakes is provided by two school districts. The portion of Royal Lakes lying east of Julian Avenue is served by Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8. Areas west of Julian Avenue are served by Southwestern Community Unit School District 9.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois . United States Census Bureau . February 10, 2023.
  2. Web site: P1. Race – Royal Lakes village, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171). U.S. Census Bureau. February 10, 2023.
  3. 2399138. Village of Royal Lakes.
  4. Web site: Parks and Recreation . Village of Royal Lakes . March 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120125023/http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page6.html . November 20, 2008 .
  5. Web site: Royal Lakes Resort . History of Hilyard, Illinois . Village of Royal Lakes . March 17, 2010.
  6. Web site: Royal Lakes Information . Macoupin County, IL GenWeb . March 17, 2010.
  7. Web site: The History of the Village of Royal Lakes . Village of Royal Lakes . March 17, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120121745/http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page4.html . November 20, 2008 .
  8. Web site: Illinois Counties & Incorporated Municipalities . . May 2006 . March 17, 2010.
  9. Web site: P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Royal Lakes village, Illinois. United States Census Bureau.
  10. Web site: P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Royal Lakes village, Illinois. United States Census Bureau.
  11. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.