Empire, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Empire, Georgia had a total population of 306, the 561st largest community in Georgia, with a median household income of $43,438, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% 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 | 447 | 306 | -31.5% |
| Median household income | $60,250 | $43,438 | -27.9% |
| Median home value | $97,600 | $121,900 | +24.9% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Empire Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Dodge County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keysville | 297 | N/A | $49,400 | 9.2% | 10.4% |
| Lone Oak | 297 | N/A | N/A | 7.2% | 55.2% |
| Mineral Bluff | 294 | N/A | $97,600 | 0.0% | 24.5% |
| Higgston | 292 | $42,500 | $96,300 | 16.3% | 18.5% |
| Mendes | 327 | N/A | $143,800 | 53.6% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 306, 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 Georgia, within Dodge County. The total population is 306. It ranks as the 561st most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Empire is 54.0 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 8.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Empire is $43,438. This is 44% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.8%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. 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 9.4%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $121,900. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Empire is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Empire is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.7%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Empire, Georgia 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 Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. 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, Georgia?
Empire, Georgia has a population of 306 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Empire, GA?
The median household income in Empire is $43,438, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Empire, GA?
The poverty rate in Empire is 27.8%. This means approximately 85 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Empire, Georgia?
Empire's population is 70.3% White, 29.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Empire, GA?
The median home value in Empire is $121,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Empire, Georgia?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Empire hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.