Photo: Rachel Kramer · CC BY 2.0Where Empire residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Empire, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Empire. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Empire
Cancer, arthritis and heart disease run high in Empire
1 in 6 adults have had cancer (16.5%), about twice the Michigan rate. 2 in 5 adults have arthritis (39.9%), vs 29.1% across Michigan. Heart disease is also above the state: 8.8%, vs 7% across Michigan. In all, Empire runs above Michigan on five of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 43% of residents are 65 or older (Michigan 19%), and cancer, arthritis and heart disease are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Empire keeps up with checkups
It beats Michigan on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (87.5% vs 80.3%) and dentist visits (76.3% vs 68%). Checkups ↓
Few Empire adults smoke
8.1% of adults smoke cigarettes, vs 14.6% across Michigan. Habits ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Michigan figure falls outside Empire’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Empire adults…
Empire runs below MI on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 5. Tap one to see it as people.
Empire is an older town: 43% of residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across Michigan. Heart disease, arthritis and cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Empire as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Empire adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan
Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.
1.6 miles of trails across 6 parks and preserves
Care in and near Empire
No hospital or community health center in Empire itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Empire; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
How Empire adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Empire does better than Michigan.
1 in 4 Empire adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
4.7% of Empire adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
Empire and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Empire adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Empire
Why doesn’t Empire have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Empire.
What hospital is closest to Empire?
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort, 15.1 miles in a straight line from Empire’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Empire.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Michigan figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.