City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Empire, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Empire - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

384
Residents
$75,938
Median income
$368,400
Median home
$1,224
Median rent (state)

Empire - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Empire places in the 57th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

57th
percentile, household income
74th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Empire, MI

Michigan's Empire is a small town, with 384 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $75,938 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.7%. Empire's housing stock carries a median value of $368,400, and the median resident age is 63.7 years. 51.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 42.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,224 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 22.7 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

384 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$75,938 /yr

Poverty 12.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Empire compare to other US cities?

Here's how Empire stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 74% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Empire's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

57thIncome percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Empire's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$368,400 26th percentile more affordable than 26% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Empire $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Empire, MI Empire, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Empire, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Empire, MI median $75,938/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Empire, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Empire, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 51.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 42.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
384
Median Income
$75,938
Median Home Value
$368,400
Median Age
63.7
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Labor force participation
42.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
51.3%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
345 residents350 residents355 residents360 residents 202020212022202320242025 346 residents 355 residents ▲ +2.6%
Empire's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.7%
Carpool
6.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
18.8%

Based on 133 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Empire sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,224/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
22.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Otter Lake
387 people
Sherwood
388 people
Brimley
379 people
New Troy
379 people
Kinde
390 people
Rothbury
377 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Empire's 384 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wall Lane, AZ
384 people
Traver, CA
384 people
Yankee Hill, CA
384 people
Odum, GA
384 people
Tiger, GA
384 people
Dow City, IA
384 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Empire's $75,938 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

South Fork, CO
$75,938 median income
Provencal, LA
$75,938 median income
Farnham, NY
$75,938 median income
Benton Ridge, OH
$75,938 median income
Sheffield, TX
$75,938 median income
Bancroft, WV
$75,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Empire, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Empire, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.5% White 91.9% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 5.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Empire compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Empire (this city) 384 $75,938
Otter Lake 387 $43,750
Sherwood 388 $56,645
Brimley 379 $72,885
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Empire, MI?

What is the population of Empire, MI? +

Empire, MI counts 384 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Empire, MI? +

Median annual household income in Empire runs $75,938, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Empire? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Empire; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Empire, MI? +

A typical home in Empire is worth $368,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.