Empire, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Empire is a small town in Michigan with a population of 384. Residents earn $75,938 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
384 Population 373/sq mi density
$75,938 Median Income $60,295 per capita
$368,400 Home Value $608,126 Zillow
$379 Median Rent 36.4% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$75,938 median income, 0.6% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$368,400 home value, $379/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,938
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $368,400
31% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 51.3%
52% higher than US avg
Median Rent $379
67% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.1%
6% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

How Empire Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population384
Median Age63.7 yrs
Density373/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans11.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$75,938
Per Capita$60,295
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$741M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$368,400
Rent$379
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$608,126
Housing Units362
Rent Burden36.4%

Health

Obesity30.1%
Uninsured3.9%
Smoking9.0%
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation619 ft (189 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+51.3%
High School+98.1%
Graduate+21.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute24 min
Broadband88.1%
EV Stations5
Libraries4

Is Empire a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Empire receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Empire stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Empire is $75,938, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Empire is $368,400, 31% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $379 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Empire is a highly educated community — 51.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Empire experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 93.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Empire has a population of 384 with a density of 373 people per square mile. The median age is 63.7 years, 64% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.9%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

384
Total Population
373
People / sq mi
63.7yrs
Median Age
64% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Empire vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Empire vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Empire is $75,938, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Empire vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,938
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$60,295
Avg Weekly Wage$877
IRS Avg AGI$72,228

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)483
County GDP$741M

Business (County)

Restaurants67
Healthcare34
Retail65
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,350
139% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Drive Alone73.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Empire is $368,400, 31% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $379 (67% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $608,126.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$368,400
31% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$608,126

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$379
67% below US avg
Rent Burden36.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.9%
Housing Units362
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,350
139% above US avg
Effective Rate2.27%
In Empire, 30.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 3.9% of residents lack health insurance. 9.0% are current smokers. 27.3% report depression. 14.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Empire vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.1%
6% below US avg
Diabetes6.9%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure26.3%
Asthma11.0%
COPD4.5%
Cancer8.3%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking9.0%
36% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity14.9%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress9.8%
Short Sleep30.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Uninsured3.9%
55% below US avg
Checkup Rate79.1%
Dental Visits77.2%
Premature Death9,354/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access62.3%
Healthcare Facilities34
Empire has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall93.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation619 ft (189 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density373/sq mi
Coordinates44.8126°N, 86.0593°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26019
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 51.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 8.7-point margin. 88.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.7%
D 45%

Winner: Republican by 8.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+51.3%
52% above US avg
High School+98.1%
Graduate Degree+21.0%
School Test Score5.23
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density373/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.1%
EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants67
Retail Stores65

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Drive Alone73.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.8%

Nearby Cities

Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 14.8 mi Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 19.1 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 21.8 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 22.7 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 30.5 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 32.6 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 37.7 mi Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 41.4 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 42.6 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 43.3 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 49.3 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 50.1 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 51.1 mi Charlevoix, MI 2,420 pop · 52.3 mi
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