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CITY

Empire

California · 3,429 residents · 1.168 sq mi
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The short version

Empire has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,563. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $335,200. The poverty rate of 22.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 47% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 115%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,429
−12%since 2000
from 3,903 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Population density
2,936 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 3,342 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
+30%since 2000
from 31.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 2000 – 2024
3K4K4K4K5K2000201020202024Empire
20243K
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,563
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,645
+103%since 2000
from $12,133 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.1%
+25.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.423
+4%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction11.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$335,200
+115%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
2000 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,238
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $562 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.8%
−7.0 ptssince 2000
from 67.8% in 2000
39.2% rent
Vacancy rate
10.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
34.3%
−14.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.6%
−14.2 ptssince 2009
from 65.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.4
+105%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Gentrification Score
58
RELATED:See current rent listings in Empire on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic50.7%(1,977)
Black0.4%(15)
Hispanic / Latino42.9%(1,674)
Asian1.8%(69)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.8%(2,530)
2024
White, non-Hispanic44.2%(1,514)
Black0.2%(7)
Hispanic / Latino48.6%(1,668)
Asian0%(0)
Other7%(240)
Diversity Score70.4%(2,415)
Diversity Score
70
+9%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
74.2%
+15.6 ptssince 2000
from 58.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+60%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 84.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.9%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.4%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.0%
−8.1 ptssince 2011
from 21.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 58.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.1%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.0%
−27.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.3%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
44.7%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
21.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.4%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.8%
−64.5 ptssince 2013
from 72.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.8%
+35.1 ptssince 2017
from 61.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
59.4%
+7.1 ptssince 2016
from 52.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
40.6%
−3.3 ptssince 2016
from 43.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Empire to nearby cities

EMPIRE VS
Hughson
Income$91,557+74%
Home value$511,200+53%
Population8,051+135%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPIRE VS
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Income$79,025+50%
Home value$424,800+27%
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EMPIRE VS
Modesto
Income$79,891+52%
Home value$442,700+32%
Population219,652+6306%
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EMPIRE VS
Riverbank
Income$87,966+67%
Home value$463,200+38%
Population26,557+674%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Empire, California?

Empire, California has about 3,429 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Empire, California?

The typical household in Empire, California earns about $52,563 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Empire, California expensive?

In Empire, California, the median home is worth about $335,200, and the typical rent is about $1,238 a month.

How educated are people in Empire, California?

About 7.7% of adults age 25 and over in Empire, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Empire, California?

About 22.3% of people in Empire, California live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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