Editing Royal Lakes, Illinois

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Royal Lakes, Illinois
| official_name = 
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| settlement_type = [[List of towns and villages in Illinois|Village]]
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| image_map = File:Macoupin County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Royal Lakes Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location in Macoupin County, Illinois
| image_map1 = 
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| map_alt1 = 
| map_caption1 = 
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_label = Royal Lakes
| pushpin_map_alt = 
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| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| coordinates = {{coord|39|6|42|N|89|57|38|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
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| grid_name = 
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| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Illinois
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = [[Macoupin County, Illinois|Macoupin]]
| subdivision_type3 = Township
| subdivision_name3 = [[Hillyard Township, Macoupin County, Illinois|Hillyard]]
| subdivision_type4 = 
| subdivision_name4 = 
| established_title = Founded
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| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = 
| leader_title1 = Village president
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| total_type = 
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_17.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref>
| 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
| area_water_percent = 
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| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m = 
| elevation_ft = 640
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| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US1766196&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Royal Lakes village, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=February 10, 2023}}</ref>
| population_total = 167
| pop_est_as_of = 
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| population_density_km2 = 138.49
| population_density_sq_mi = 358.37
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| timezone1 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1 = -6
| timezone1_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST = -5
| timezone2 = 
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| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code = 62685
| postal2_code_type = 
| postal2_code = 
| area_code_type = 
| area_code = [[Area code 618|618]]
| geocode = 
| iso_code = 
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 17-66196
| blank1_name = 
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| website = 
| footnotes = <ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=2399138|name=Village of Royal Lakes}}</ref>
}}
'''Royal Lakes''' is a [[village (Illinois)|village]] in [[Macoupin County, Illinois|Macoupin County]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]]. The population was 167 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> down from 197 in [[2010 United States census|2010]].

==Geography==
Royal Lakes is located at {{coord|39|6|42|N|89|57|38|W|type:city|display=inline}} (39.1116990, -89.9606600)<ref name="gnis"/> in [[Hillyard Township, Macoupin County, Illinois|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 {{convert|45|mi|km}} to the southwest, and [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], around {{convert|60|mi|km}} northeast of the village.

According to the 2010 census, Royal Lakes has a total area of {{convert|0.512|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.466|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.046|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 8.98%) are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/>

===Lakes===
[[Image:RoyalLakes.png|thumb|center|300px|Map of the three lakes in Royal Lakes, Illinois<br> 1 – Meshach Lake<br> 2 – Shad Lake<br> 3 – Shadrach Lake]]
Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – are located within the village of Royal Lakes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page6.html | title = Parks and Recreation | publisher = Village of Royal Lakes | access-date = March 14, 2010 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120125023/http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page6.html | archive-date = November 20, 2008 }}</ref>
* '''Meshach Lake''' is located in the east central portion of Royal Lakes. With an average depth of between {{convert|9|and|12|ft}}, it is the deepest of the three lakes.
* '''Shad Lake''' covers approximately {{convert|1.5|acre|m2}} with a maximum depth of {{convert|2|ft}}.
* '''Shadrach Lake''' is located north of Magnolia Drive and west of North Dogwood Drive. Its depth ranges from {{convert|5|to|8|ft}}.
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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://genealogytrails.com/ill/macoupin/hilyard.html | title = Royal Lakes Resort | work = History of Hilyard, Illinois | publisher = Village of Royal Lakes | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.macoupinctygenealogy.org/township/m_hilyar.html#royal | title = Royal Lakes Information | publisher = Macoupin County, IL GenWeb | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref> The {{convert|320|acre|km2|adj=on}} 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 {{convert|25|by|125|ft}}.<ref name="RL History">{{cite web | url = http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page4.html | title = The History of the Village of Royal Lakes | publisher = Village of Royal Lakes | access-date = March 17, 2010 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120121745/http://www.villageofroyallakes.com/page4.html | archive-date = November 20, 2008 }}</ref> 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, Illinois|East St. Louis]].<ref name="RL History"/> 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 [[municipal incorporation|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.<ref name="RL History"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/ipub11.pdf | title = Illinois Counties & Incorporated Municipalities | publisher = [[Illinois Secretary of State]] | date = May 2006  | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref>

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

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1980= 270
|1990= 272
|2000= 190
|2010= 197
|2020= 167
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Royal Lakes village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Royal Lakes village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1766196&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Royal Lakes village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1766196&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Royal Lakes village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1766196&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|30
|62
|style='background: #ffffe6; |68
|15.79%
|31.47%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |40.72%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|153
|127
|style='background: #ffffe6; |85
|80.53%
|64.47%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |50.90%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|1
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3
|0.53%
|0.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.80%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|0
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]]  or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|4
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10
|2.11%
|0.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.99%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|2
|5
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1
|1.05%
|2.54%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.60%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''190'''
|'''197'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''167'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2000 census===

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 190 people, 80 households, and 46 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|408.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 121 housing units at an average density of {{convert|259.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 15.79% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 80.53% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.53% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.05% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.11% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Macoupin County, Illinois}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1957]]
[[Category:Villages in Macoupin County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Illinois]]