Empire, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Empire, Colorado had a total population of 672, the 257th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $66,797, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 549 | 672 | +22.4% |
| Median household income | $63,092 | $66,797 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $297,600 | $356,500 | +19.8% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Empire Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Clear Creek County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Springs | 1,986 | $89,436 | 6.9% | $446,500 |
| Georgetown | 1,053 | $79,118 | 13.4% | $521,700 |
| Upper Bear Creek | 954 | $186,071 | 3.6% | $1,075,600 |
| Floyd Hill | 841 | $182,981 | 0.0% | $802,900 |
| Upper Witter Gulch | 731 | $250,000+ | 5.8% | $756,400 |
| Pine Valley | 392 | $127,104 | 0.0% | $753,000 |
| Downieville-Lawson-Dumont | 345 | $57,784 | 13.6% | $383,700 |
| Echo Hills | 180 | N/A | 6.1% | $920,700 |
| Silver Plume | 127 | $52,083 | 17.3% | $473,500 |
| Blue Valley | 120 | $80,100 | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dove Creek | 651 | $62,831 | $149,600 | 14.5% | 35.0% |
| Eads | 677 | $59,479 | $135,200 | 24.7% | 5.4% |
| Stratton | 716 | $61,583 | $166,300 | 18.6% | 3.9% |
| Calhan | 620 | $62,321 | $296,600 | 22.1% | 6.0% |
| Silverton | 637 | $77,546 | $471,100 | 51.6% | 22.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 672, Empire's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Empire is a small community located in Colorado, within Clear Creek County. The total population is 672. It ranks as the 257th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Empire is 44.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Empire is $66,797. This is 30% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $356,500. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Empire has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Empire, Colorado 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 Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. 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, Colorado?
Empire, Colorado has a population of 672 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Empire, CO?
The median household income in Empire is $66,797, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Empire, CO?
The poverty rate in Empire is 12.7%. This means approximately 85 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Empire, Colorado?
Empire's population is 85.1% White, 0.1% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Empire, CO?
The median home value in Empire is $356,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Empire, Colorado?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Empire hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.