Empire, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Empire, Minnesota had a total population of 3,092, the 210th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $147,700, which is 66% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 66% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Minnesota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.9% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Empire Quick Facts
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Empire Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | 2,894 | $153,750 | $567,700 | 54.3% | 1.2% |
| Afton | 2,957 | $133,305 | $679,300 | 58.6% | 6.3% |
| St. Augusta | 3,625 | $140,227 | $388,400 | 43.6% | 0.0% |
| Hanover | 3,626 | $156,536 | $447,900 | 52.4% | 0.6% |
| Grant | 3,950 | $150,875 | $683,400 | 58.3% | 3.7% |
Population Overview
Empire is a small community located in Minnesota. The total population is 3,092. It ranks as the 210th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Empire is 37.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 28.6% of the population under 18, Empire has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Empire is $147,700. This is 66% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 83% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.9%. This is 79% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $469,500. Housing costs are 43% higher than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 94.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Empire has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
37.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Empire, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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, Minnesota?
Empire, Minnesota has a population of 3,092 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Empire, MN?
The median household income in Empire is $147,700, which is 83% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Empire, MN?
The poverty rate in Empire is 1.9%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Empire, Minnesota?
Empire's population is 93.3% White, 0.2% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Empire, MN?
The median home value in Empire is $469,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Empire, Minnesota?
37.4% of adults (25+) in Empire hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.