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CITY · 2020 ACS

Empire

Michigan · 362 residents · 1.029 sq mi
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The short version

Empire has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,786. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $239,700. With a median age of 63.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 63.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
43% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
362
−4%since 2000
from 378 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
63.3
+29%since 2000
from 49.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2242713183654121990201020202024Empire
2024341
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2020
Under 53.3%(12)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 93.3%(12)
US avg: 6.1%
10 to 144.1%(15)
US avg: 6.5%
15 to 193.6%(13)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 241.7%(6)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 343%(11)
US avg: 13.5%
35 to 448.8%(32)
US avg: 12.7%
45 to 548.3%(30)
US avg: 12.3%
55 to 6417.7%(64)
US avg: 13.1%
65 to 7427.6%(100)
US avg: 10%
75 to 8413.5%(49)
US avg: 4.9%
85 and over5%(18)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,786
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,722 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,977
+8%since 2000
from $27,850 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.1%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.7%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services8.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Information5.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade4.6%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$239,700
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $129,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$364
−54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $527 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
24.1% rent
Afford Score
4.6
−38%since 2009
from 7.4 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Empire on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(374)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.3%(1)
Other0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(340)
Black0.3%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(5)
Asian0.6%(2)
Other0.9%(3)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican7.7%(25)
Asian origin
Filipino0.6%(2)
Ancestry
German38%(123)
English16.4%(53)
Irish14.2%(46)
French11.7%(38)
Polish5.9%(19)
Finnish4.9%(16)
Dutch4.6%(15)
Czech4.3%(14)
Swedish4%(13)
American3.7%(12)
Scottish2.8%(9)
+ 7 more ancestry groups with data
Swiss1.5%(5)
Belgian1.2%(4)
Greek0.6%(2)
Italian0.6%(2)
Norwegian0.6%(2)
Ukrainian0.6%(2)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest French population · Largest Mexican population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.0%
+12.7 ptssince 2000
from 30.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
100.0%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 92.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
25.6%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+18%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.9%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.0%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 11.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
43.3%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 48.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.4%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.3%
−84.5 ptssince 2013
from 88.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married23.7%(33)
Married64%(89)
Widowed6.5%(9)
Divorced5.8%(8)
Women 15+
Never married26.8%(38)
Married52.1%(74)
Widowed8.5%(12)
Divorced12.7%(18)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

Places similar to Empire

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Pop 359
Braswell
Pop 366
Carlton
Pop 311
La Crosse
Pop 323
Places similar to Empire
Head to head

Compare Empire to nearby cities

EMPIRE VS
Traverse City
Income$74,087+43%
Home value$415,400+73%
Population15,832+4360%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPIRE VS
Cadillac
Income$51,773same
Home value$134,300−44%
Population10,438+2840%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPIRE VS
Sturgeon Bay
Income$59,926+16%
Home value$236,300−1%
Population9,917+2694%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPIRE VS
Marinette
Income$58,638+13%
Home value$120,200−50%
Population11,168+3046%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Empire, Michigan?

Empire, Michigan has about 362 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Empire, Michigan?

The typical household in Empire, Michigan earns about $51,786 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Empire, Michigan expensive?

In Empire, Michigan, the median home is worth about $239,700, and the typical rent is about $364 a month.

How educated are people in Empire, Michigan?

About 43.0% of adults age 25 and over in Empire, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Empire, Michigan?

About 16.7% of people in Empire, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Empire, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Empire, Michigan has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1 residents, a change of about 0 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →