Empire, Colorado
On Main Street in Empire, Colorado
Empire is a former mining settlement on the north side of Clear Creek Valley. The big business here used to be silver mining. These days, the big business is centered around tourism with US Highway 40 passing through town on its way to Berthoud Pass and Winter Park.
There is a story about the poet Vachel Lindsay: his family had a vacation spot in Empire and he would sometimes walk there from Illinois to visit, doing farm work and chanting poems as he made his way.
Empire is also the home of the original Hard Rock Cafe, except that this original was first opened in 1934 and catered to local hardrock miners.
The Hard Rock Cafe and Town Hall
Looking west on Main Street
Fast Facts about Empire, Colorado
Empire, Clear Creek County, CO 80438
Latitude: 39.761°N
Longitude: 105.6833°W
Incorporated: April 12, 1882
Elevation: 8,615'
Education:
High School or Higher: 86.9%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 19.8%
Graduate or Professional Degree: 3.4%
2011 Cost of Living Index for Empire: 93.4
Latitude: 39.761°N
Longitude: 105.6833°W
Incorporated: April 12, 1882
Elevation: 8,615'
Education:
High School or Higher: 86.9%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 19.8%
Graduate or Professional Degree: 3.4%
2011 Cost of Living Index for Empire: 93.4
2009 Estimates:
Median Resident Age: 39.9 Years
Estimated Median Household Income: $44,540
Estimated Median Home Value: $212,700
Major Industries:
Lodging & Food Services, Construction, Mining, Government, Entertainment & Recreation, Educational Services, Health Care, Professional Services, Waste Management Services
Unemployed (March 2011): 13.6%
Median Resident Age: 39.9 Years
Estimated Median Household Income: $44,540
Estimated Median Home Value: $212,700
Major Industries:
Lodging & Food Services, Construction, Mining, Government, Entertainment & Recreation, Educational Services, Health Care, Professional Services, Waste Management Services
Unemployed (March 2011): 13.6%
Population Demographics: 2010
| Total Population | 282 |
| Males | 152 |
| Females | 130 |
| Population by Age | |
| Under 18 | 37 |
| 18 & over | 245 |
| 20-24 | 14 |
| 25-34 | 28 |
| 35-49 | 63 |
| 50-64 | 106 |
| 65 & over | 31 |
| Population by Ethnicity | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11 |
| Non Hispanic or Latino | 271 |
| Population by Race | |
| White | 266 |
| African-American | 5 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Native American | 1 |
| Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0 |
| Other | 7 |
| Two or more | 3 |
Clear Creek County Pages
Idaho Springs - Georgetown - Silver Plume - Clear Creek CountyLoveland Ski Area - Echo Mountain Park - Loveland Pass
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway - State Trust Lands & Wildlife Areas
More Colorado Information, Photos and Maps
Towns & Places - Scenic Byways - State Parks - National Forests - National Wildlife RefugesNational Park Service Sites - BLM Sites - National Wilderness Areas - Unique Natural Features
Outdoor Sports & Recreation - Ski & Snowboard Areas - Photo Galleries - Colorado Mountains
