Empire, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Empire, Ohio had a total population of 242, the 1082nd largest village in Ohio, with a median household income of $45,208, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% 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 | 264 | 242 | -8.3% |
| Median household income | $57,708 | $45,208 | -21.7% |
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 Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steubenville | 18,124 | $48,172 | 26.6% | $130,700 |
| Toronto | 5,293 | $55,972 | 15.2% | $108,800 |
| Wintersville | 3,677 | $76,768 | 8.1% | $141,100 |
| Mingo Junction | 3,254 | $53,833 | 26.3% | $104,000 |
| Tiltonsville | 1,311 | $57,250 | 8.2% | $106,300 |
| Brilliant | 1,213 | $43,914 | 16.2% | $82,500 |
| Adena | 716 | $45,556 | 21.1% | $68,200 |
| Richmond | 640 | $59,375 | 10.6% | $126,800 |
| Dillonvale | 586 | $47,788 | 10.4% | $78,600 |
| Bergholz | 510 | $56,875 | 23.7% | $65,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kunkle | 244 | N/A | $46,700 | 0.0% | 30.3% |
| Orangeville | 235 | N/A | $164,600 | 29.3% | 6.8% |
| Vinton | 251 | N/A | $103,100 | 5.6% | 19.5% |
| Carbon Hill | 249 | $46,694 | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hemlock | 255 | N/A | $52,500 | 8.8% | 11.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 242, 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 Ohio, within Jefferson County. The total population is 242. It ranks as the 1082nd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Empire is 50.1 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.7 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Empire is $45,208. This is 37% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 11.9%. This is 149% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. 71.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Empire has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Empire, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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, Ohio?
Empire, Ohio has a population of 242 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Empire, OH?
The median household income in Empire is $45,208, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Empire, OH?
The poverty rate in Empire is 11.6%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Empire, Ohio?
Empire's population is 88.4% White, 6.2% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Empire, OH?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Empire — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Empire, Ohio?
5.3% of adults (25+) in Empire hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.