Empire, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Empire, California had a total population of 3,429, the 754th largest community in California, with a median household income of $52,563, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.0% is notably above the national average.
Empire Quick Facts
How Empire Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,867 | 3,429 | -11.3% |
| Median household income | $48,990 | $52,563 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $306,700 | $335,200 | +9.3% |
How Empire Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Empire Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Stanislaus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto | 219,215 | $79,891 | 13.3% | $442,700 |
| Turlock | 72,502 | $82,995 | 11.3% | $460,600 |
| Ceres | 49,342 | $79,025 | 15.9% | $424,800 |
| Riverbank | 25,166 | $87,966 | 12.8% | $463,200 |
| Patterson | 24,693 | $93,650 | 9.0% | $450,200 |
| Oakdale | 23,194 | $83,091 | 14.8% | $457,900 |
| Salida | 13,900 | $94,935 | 8.2% | $461,100 |
| Newman | 12,316 | $78,906 | 12.2% | $412,700 |
| Waterford | 9,204 | $74,343 | 13.9% | $402,200 |
| Hughson | 7,648 | $91,557 | 13.9% | $511,200 |
Cities Similar to Empire
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore | 3,515 | $51,795 | $203,900 | 1.5% | 7.6% |
| Lucerne | 3,435 | $56,625 | $243,500 | 6.2% | 19.4% |
| Squaw Valley | 3,361 | $49,904 | $271,700 | 27.5% | 16.3% |
| Jamestown | 3,265 | $57,276 | $374,600 | 21.0% | 6.1% |
| Riverdale | 3,653 | $56,975 | $283,600 | 4.8% | 12.6% |
Population Overview
Empire is a small community located in California, within Stanislaus County. The total population is 3,429. It ranks as the 754th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Empire is 41.1 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Empire is $52,563. This is 47% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 13.0%. This is 97% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $335,200. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Empire is Hispanic or Latino, making up 48.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 44.1%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
7.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Empire, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Empire, California?
Empire, California has a population of 3,429 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Empire, CA?
The median household income in Empire is $52,563, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Empire, CA?
The poverty rate in Empire is 22.3%. This means approximately 764 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Empire, California?
Empire's population is 44.1% White, 0.2% Black, 48.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Empire, CA?
The median home value in Empire is $335,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Empire, California?
7.7% of adults (25+) in Empire hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.