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Empire, MI
Full City Profile · Michigan · Benzie County County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
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
305
Violent Crime/100K
1,840 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good 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
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
305 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$368,400
31% above
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$379/mo
67% below
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
81.9%
25% above US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
362
Median year built: 1974
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$368,400
Zillow (ZHVI)
$608,126
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
81.9%
Owner-Occupied
18.1%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$807/mo
1 Bedroom
$891/mo
2 Bedroom
$1,113/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,419/mo
4 Bedroom
$1,588/mo
Census median rent:
$379/mo
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
36.4%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
17% above US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1974
Average age of housing stock: 52 years
Homeownership Rate
81.9%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $368,400 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $608,126 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $379 |
| FMR Studio | $807 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $891 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $1,113 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $1,419 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $1,588 |
Market
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 81.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 18.1% |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% |
| Total Housing Units | 362 |
| Median Year Built | 1974 |
| Rent Burden | 36.4% |