Royal Lakes is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 167 at the 2020 census, down from 197 in 2010. Geography Royal Lakes is located at (39.1116990, -89.9606600) 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 to the southwest, and Springfield, around northeast of the village. According to the 2010 census, Royal Lakes has a total area of , of which are land and (or 8.98%) are water. Lakes Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – are located within the village of Royal Lakes. Meshach Lake is located in the east central portion of Royal Lakes. With an average depth of between , it is the deepest of the three lakes. Shad Lake covers approximately with a maximum depth of . Shadrach Lake is located north of Magnolia Drive and west of North Dogwood Drive. Its depth ranges from . 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. The 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 . 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. 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