Empire ZIP Code List — Leelanau County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Empire, Michigan and it is 49630. Area code: 231.

ZIP codes

60.46

sq mi land

7.55

sq mi water

231

area code

Empire, MI ZIP code map

About Empire, MI

Empire, Michigan, is a charming village located nestled within the picturesque Leelanau County. Known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant local community, Empire is a favorite destination for tourists exploring northern Michigan. The village's rich landscape and friendly atmosphere draw visitors year-round.

Location & geography

Empire is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Michigan, providing stunning waterfront views and opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities. It is approximately 20 miles southwest of Traverse City and around 12 miles from the scenic village of Glen Arbor. With a land area of 60.46 square miles and a water area of 7.55 square miles, Empire offers a mix of expansive landscapes and lakeside charm.

Community & economy

The character of Empire reflects its close-knit community and a strong emphasis on preserving its natural surroundings. The local economy largely thrives on tourism, outdoor recreation, and agriculture, with many residents involved in these industries. Daily life in Empire is often influenced by the seasonal influx of visitors, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to the village during the warmer months.

Transportation

Empire can be accessed via M-22, which runs along the eastern edge of the village and connects to other nearby towns. The nearest airport is Cherry Capital Airport, located approximately 25 miles to the northeast in Traverse City. Public transit options are limited, so many visitors rely on personal vehicles to explore the surrounding areas and attractions.

History

Empire was established in the mid-19th century and has since developed a reputation as a scenic getaway for nature lovers and beachgoers. The village's economy historically revolved around logging and fishing, but it has now evolved into a hub for tourism and recreation. Over the years, Empire has hosted various community events that celebrate its rich heritage and connection to the natural environment.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Empire is that it serves as a gateway to the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a national treasure known for its towering sand dunes and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Additionally, Empire boasts an annual blueberry festival that highlights the local agriculture and attracts visitors from across the region.

ZIP codes for Empire, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49630	Empire	Leelanau	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,472

Population

61.8

Median age

$92,500

Median household income

$64,606

Per capita income

$410,400

Median home value

Median monthly rent

87.8%

Home ownership

10.1%

Poverty rate

1.1%

Unemployment

1,317

Housing units

50.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

204

65–74

209

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	204	13.9%
18 and over	1,268	86.1%
65 and over	623	42.3%
Median age	61.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.5%

Two or more races 5.4%

Hispanic or Latino 4.5%

Black or African American 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,380	89.5%
Two or more races	83	5.4%
Hispanic or Latino	70	4.5%
Black or African American	4	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	0.2%
Asian	2	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.9%

$10k–$15k 1.6%

$15k–$25k 5.3%

$25k–$35k 2.7%

$35k–$50k 5.7%

$50k–$75k 22.1%

$75k–$100k 11.1%

$100k–$150k 26.4%

$150k–$200k 7.0%

$200k+ 14.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.9%
$10k–$15k	1.6%
$15k–$25k	5.3%
$25k–$35k	2.7%
$35k–$50k	5.7%
$50k–$75k	22.1%
$75k–$100k	11.1%
$100k–$150k	26.4%
$150k–$200k	7.0%
$200k+	14.1%
Median income	$92,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.6%

$50k–$100k 3.8%

$100k–$150k 5.4%

$150k–$200k 7.7%

$200k–$300k 13.9%

$300k–$500k 34.2%

$500k–$1M 17.8%

$1M+ 14.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$410,400
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	87.8%
Renter occupied	12.2%
Vacant	50.4%
Single-family detached	87.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	8.9%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.08

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	13.1%
2000–2009	18.4%
1990–1999	24.5%
1980–1989	6.0%
1970–1979	11.8%
1960–1969	5.3%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	5.8%
1939 or earlier	7.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	6.9%
2 bedrooms	24.2%
3 bedrooms	39.7%
4 bedrooms	20.6%
5+ bedrooms	7.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.9%
1 vehicle	18.5%
2 vehicles	47.1%
3 or more	28.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	35.1%
Electricity	10.5%
Propane / LP gas	36.9%
Fuel oil	3.7%
Wood	11.6%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	430	61.8%
Cohabiting couple	14	2.0%
Male householder, no spouse	99	14.2%
Female householder, no spouse	153	22.0%
Households with children under 18	103	14.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	430	61.8%
Average household size	2.11

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	17.4%	18.7%
Married	72.4%	59.8%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	5.7%	6.0%
Divorced	4.6%	15.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 1.1%

HS graduate 18.2%

Some college, no degree 20.4%

Associate's degree 9.5%

Bachelor's degree 28.6%

Graduate / professional 21.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.2%
Bachelor's or higher	50.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	15	6.3%
Kindergarten	12	5.1%
Elementary school	135	57.0%
High school	24	10.1%
College / grad school	51	21.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 19.3%

Education & healthcare 19.0%

Retail trade 11.6%

Finance & real estate 11.4%

Manufacturing 10.6%

Construction 8.3%

Professional & management 6.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.0%

Public administration 3.2%

Other services 2.8%

Agriculture & mining 1.4%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	41.0%
Service	15.7%
Sales & office	15.9%
Natural resources & construction	9.4%
Production & transportation	17.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	9.3%
Self-employed	13.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.9%
Carpool	6.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.6%
Other means	3.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.4

Poverty

All people 10.1%

Under 18 years 31.4%

18 and over 6.6%

Married-couple families 4.2%

Female-led households 32.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	51.6%
Retirement income	51.7%
Supplemental Security	5.2%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.4%
High cholesterol	38.6%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	35.1%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	9.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.9%
No physical activity	17.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.6%
Fair or poor health	12.4%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	6.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.3%
Visited dentist	76.5%
Cholesterol screening	95.3%
Teeth loss	8.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	113	8.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.9%
Under 18	13.7%
18–64 years	6.7%
65 and over	16.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	77.6%
Public insurance	51.4%
Uninsured under 19	2.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,446	98.2%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,444	98.1%
Born in same state	1,440	97.8%
Born in different state	1,071	72.8%
Foreign born	4	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	28	1.9%
Not a US citizen	25	89.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	279	19%
Italian	185	12.6%
English	106	7.2%
Arab	53	3.6%
Polish	25	1.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	22	1.5%
Dutch	7	0.5%
Irish	6	0.4%
Norwegian	5	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	47.3%
Internet access	96.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Empire, MI?

Empire, MI has one ZIP code: 49630.

What is the main ZIP code for Empire, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Empire, MI is 49630. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.

What county is Empire, MI in?

Empire is located in Leelanau County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Empire, MI?

Empire, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Empire and the surrounding area near the Empire Beach?

Downtown Empire and the Empire Beach area are located in ZIP code 49630, which covers the entire village and its waterfront district along Lake Michigan.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing addresses to businesses in Empire's downtown commercial district?

All mailing addresses in Empire, including the downtown commercial district, use ZIP code 49630.