Photo: Rachel Kramer · CC BY 2.0Empire spent more per resident in 2022 than 71% of similar cities
Empire’s village government spent $544,000 on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, about $1,451 per resident.
What stands out about how Empire is run
Read from the village’s budget and official records.
$1,451 per resident in 2022: more than 71% of them
Empire’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,451 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,078, and the middle half spent $748–$1,663. Empire spent more than 71% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($168,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Empire itself left out).
About $1,451 per resident a year, or $3.98 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 40%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Empire reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,966 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.65% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Empire’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Empire’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Empire →
Who’s in charge in Empire
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Glen Lake Community Schools
Empire’s K–12 school district, shared with Empire Township, Glen Arbor Township, Kasson Township, Cleveland Township, Centerville Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $22,898 per pupil, $13,914 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Empire’s votes are counted by county
Michigan reports official results by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Empire alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Leelanau County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat53.2%9,406 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican45.4%8,035 votesOthers: 1.4% (244 votes).
Most votes in Leelanau County: Kamala D Harris
Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
100% of Empire lies in Leelanau County. Every 2024 race in Leelanau County is on the county’s page.
Leelanau County’s 2024 results →Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Empire.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Michigan HouseState representatives
- 3Michigan SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Empire’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Empire’s government
How much does Empire spend per resident?
About $1,451 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,451 was more than 71% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Empire?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,966 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.65% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the village’s assessor.
Who runs Empire’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Empire yet.
How did Empire vote in 2024?
Michigan counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Empire alone. Leelanau County, where 100% of Empire lies, voted Harris 53.2%, Trump 45.4% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Empire?
0 full-time and 30 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $26,097 (about $313,164 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Empire in the state legislature?
State Senate District 37 (John Damoose) and State House District 103 (Betsy Coffia). The House district also covers 22 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Empire’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →