Median Income
$45,018
40% lower than US avg
Home Value
$84,700
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
8.7%
74% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment
2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
20.5%
65% higher than US avg
How Empire Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population1,218
Median Age27.7 yrs
Density233/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 38%
Economy
B
Median Income$45,018
Per Capita$20,803
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty20.5%
County GDP$4,007M
Commute20 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$84,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Health
Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease8.0%
Climate
Avg Temp70°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain62.8 in/yr
Elevation7 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+8.7%
High School+71.8%
School Score4.48
Community
2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute20 min
Libraries3
Is Empire a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Empire receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Empire offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Empire is $45,018, 40% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 20.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Empire is $84,700, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 71.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.
Climate & Weather
Empire enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 62.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.
Empire has a population of 1,218 with a density of 233 people per square mile. The median age is 27.7 years, 29% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (47.5%), with 37.7% White, 3.4% Hispanic.
Population
27.7yrs
Median Age
29% below US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 83.8% |
| 7% above US avg |
| Spanish | 16.2% |
| 21% above US avg |
The median household income in Empire is $45,018, which is 40% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $45,018 |
| 40% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $20,803 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,696 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $77,259 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 2.2% |
| 39% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% |
| 65% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 876 |
| County GDP | $4,007M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 58 |
| Healthcare | 23 |
| Retail | 67 |
| Manufacturing | 28 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,988 |
| 15% below US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.53% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 20.1 min |
| Work from Home | 2.0% |
The median home value in Empire is $84,700, 70% below the national average.
Home Values
| Census Median | $84,700 |
| 70% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $763 |
| 1 Bedroom | $832 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,007 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,298 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,508 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,988 |
| 15% below US avg |
| Effective Rate | 3.53% |
In Empire, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.3% report depression. 36.6% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Empire vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 42.2% |
| 31% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 16.2% |
| Heart Disease | 8.0% |
| High Blood Pressure | 42.1% |
| Asthma | 10.6% |
| COPD | 9.7% |
| Stroke | 4.6% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 17.4% |
| Physical Inactivity | 36.6% |
| Depression | 27.3% |
| Mental Distress | 21.8% |
| Physical Distress | 17.5% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 96.0% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 78.7% |
| Premature Death | 9,582/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 6.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 45.1% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 23 |
Crime Rates: Empire vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 6 |
Safety Score
Empire has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 62.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 70.3°F |
| 30% above US avg |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 62.8 inches |
| 65% above US avg |
| Snowfall | 0.0 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 233/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.4452°N, 89.6144°W |
| County FIPS | 22075 |