The City of Royal Oak requires no introduction to the Detroit metropolitan area. Conveniently located near several major thoroughfares, Royal Oak's location is prime. This is evident in the steady rise of property values throughout the city. Royal Oak has maintained the appeal of a small town, while affording many of the amenities of a large metropolis. Because of its respect for diversity, the city's composition is truly eclectic. The population represents a diverse mix of individuals, age groups, incomes, and myriad of residential home styles. Combined efforts of a proactive city government and Downtown Development Authority over the past several years have brought about a metamorphosis of the city's central business district. Downtown improvements have included changes to the landscape that encourage socialization.

Royal Oak is the place to come to, not pass through on your way to somewhere else.

Downtown businesses have created a diverse, one-stop commercial district where customers find quality and personal service. Retail shops offer specialty items and many restaurants feature outdoor patios that connect visitors to the heart of Royal Oak. Street furniture provides convenient resting places and vantage points to observe the flurry of activity.

The renaissance of Royal Oak unveiled the city's charm. Visitors to Main, Washington and other downtown streets experience the city's unique sense of place and identity, unlike cities without downtown districts. This sentiment can be shared by pedestrians ambling along the downtown streetscapes that feature brick paving, street furniture, tree and flower plantings. It can be felt among patrons of the theaters, upscale restaurants, coffeehouses and distinctive shops. Visitors to downtown Royal Oak enjoy the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and social interaction.

The Barbara A Hallman Memorial Plaza located near the library features "The Star Dream", a contemporary sculpture crafted by the late Marshall Fredericks, the famous Royal Oak sculptor. The nearby War Memorial commemorates Canadian and U.S. Forces, and Royal Oak military service personnel who died in World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

A multitude of flora paints Royal Oak's landscape and explains why the city is often called the "City of Trees". Accounts by early Royal Oak residents describe the area as covered with enormous oak, beech, maple, basswood, linden, elm, hickory, tulip, black and white ash, black walnut and butternut trees. In 1936, the "City of Trees" committee was organized to study suitable tree types and promote their planting throughout the city. In 1938, the committee obtained 60 acorns that were direct descendents of the royal oak tree in England, from which the City of Royal Oak derived its name. The acorns were nurtured and grown at the Detroit Zoo, and some were transplanted to Memorial Park in 1948.

Royal Oak underwent much timbering in its early days to make way for growth and progress, but proper vision and planning have preserved its tree-covered landscape. A visit to most residential neighborhoods will reveal large trees lining both sides of the street and meeting overhead, creating a thick, green canopy.

For more than 20 years, Royal Oak has provided a tree-planting program for residents. The objective is to replace trees that are lost over time to disease and other factors. The program allows residents to purchase a variety of trees from the city's Department of Public Service in the spring and fall at prices lower than area nurseries.

Its commitment to tree planting and preservation has earned the City of Royal Oak the National Arbor Day Foundation distinction of "Tree City USA" every year since 1976.

Royal Oak is almost 12 square miles in size consisting entirely of land and no bodies of water. It has a population of around 60,000 according to the 2000 Census. It is a fairly young community, with 39 percent of the residents are between the ages of 25 and 44, and 21 percent between 45 and 64. Twenty percent are under age 18. 95% of Royal Oak residents are Caucasian with the remaining percentage made up equally of Africa-American, Asian and mixed-race ethnicities. Royal Oak is an middle class city, with a median household income of just over $50,000 (2000) and poverty just over four percent.

Neighborhood Boundaries: Royal Oak is bordered by Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale and Hazel Park to the south, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Southfield and Beverly Hills to the West, Birmingham, Troy and Clawson to the North, and Madison Heights to the East.

Royal Oak Apartments & Real Estate: The average selling price of a single-family home was $177,626. The south side of Royal Oak has older and more eclectic housing and is often more expensive than the slightly newer and more cookie cutter houses on the north side of Royal Oak. New condominiums in the heart of downtown Royal Oak are selling for a low starting point of around $250,000 to upwards of $800,000 for this prime piece of real estate. For those wishing to rent the average monthly apartment rental price is $581. Single family homes can be rented from around $500/month to around $2800/month.

Royal Oak Parks & Recreation: Royal Oak has 20 parks on the south end and 28 parks on the north end. 5 parks contain dog runs. A full listing of parks, location and amenities can be found here Additionally, Royal Oak offers two nine-hole municipal golf courses, one 18-hole private course and an indoor driving range. The Total Soccer bubble features indoor soccer clinics and teams from fall through spring. You can access the Royal Oak recreation listings here.

Royal Oak Shopping Areas: Royal Oak offers shopping for every interest and is reknowned for its fabulous antique finds. In fact, Royal Oak shopping has its own website! Check out the website for a detailed list, with maps, of the outstanding shopping opportunities in the downtown Royal Oak area.
Royal Oak Highway Access: Both I-75 and I-696 pass through Royal Oak along with the main thoroughfare, Woodward Avenue. Access to all highways is most convenient from the south side of Royal Oak.