Empire: Economy & Jobs
Median household income in Empire is $43,438 (1.2× below Dodge County median $51,587; 1.8× below Georgia median $77,353), with homes at a median value of $121,900. The surrounding county supports 3,129 jobs (avg $45,487).
- $56,334 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Georgia $75,639).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $43,438 — below the Georgia median ($70,136). Poverty rate 27.8% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 2.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | very affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $4,890 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $275,471 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $56,334 (vs Georgia $75,639) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $68,655 |
| Median Household Income | $43,438 (vs Georgia $70,136) |
| Poverty Rate | 27.8% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | working-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $43,438 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.2% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 41% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 41.4% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 3,129 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $142,312,697 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $45,487 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 4,757,900 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% (vs Georgia 3.5%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 48 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 29,419 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 612.90 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Cotton, Vegetable Totals, Grain, Field Crops, Other |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 167 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 1,650 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 54,265 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 8 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Accounting Firms | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Child Day Care | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Full Service Restaurants | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Fast Food | 10 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 6 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 10 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (3)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (1)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Lucky Lady |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 0.4 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | COCHRAN BLECKLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $69,674,265 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 5,537.17 (vs Georgia $7,735) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 12,583 people (vs Georgia 37,381) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 46.0% |
|---|---|
| Pct Walked | 41.4% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 54.0 years (vs Georgia 35.6y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 39.8% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12