Roy is a small incorporated city in southern Pierce County, Washington, set in the broad farmland between Yelm and Spanaway, south of Tacoma. The area was originally inhabited by the Nisqually people, and European-American settlement followed the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the early 1870s, when the settlement was known as Media. The city was officially incorporated on January 16, 1908. For more than a century, Roy has remained a rural, farm-oriented community. Ranch-style homes, small farms, and open fields define the landscape, and the city covers less than a square mile. Roughly eight hundred people live within the city limits, though a larger surrounding community in unincorporated Pierce County shares the Roy mailing address. The city's small size and agricultural character keep its pace deliberately quiet. Roy is perhaps best known outside the area for the Roy Pioneer Rodeo, a long-running event that draws competitors and spectators from across Washington and Canada. The rodeo reflects the community's western and agricultural traditions and remains a central part of local identity. The city is also situated near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and a portion of its population has ties to the military installation. The Bethel School District serves Roy, and the Spanaway McKenna Highway (State Route 507) runs through town, connecting residents to McKenna, Yelm, and the broader Tacoma area. Mount Rainier rises to the east, with its national park accessible for day trips. For homebuyers, Roy offers genuine rural Pierce County living — farms, open space, and a close-knit community — while remaining within reach of Tacoma, Olympia, and the Puget Sound region.