Home Insurance in Empire, Michigan
The median home value in Empire is $456,300, close to the Leelanau County median.
The typical home in Empire was built around 1977. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. About 28% of homes were built before 1960, about 12 points above Leelanau County's 16%.
The housing stock in Empire is 94% single-family homes and 5% apartments in buildings with 5+ units.
28% of owner-occupied homes in Empire carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
Empire has an owner-occupancy rate of 80% and a vacancy rate of 46%; unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form.
Homes heated with propane and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. Most homes in Empire - 69% - are primarily heated with natural gas.
What's the biggest home insurance risk near Empire? FEMA's National Risk Index points to winter weather (Relatively High) in Leelanau County and Leelanau County had 125 active NFIP flood policies as of September 2026. See the full Leelanau County home insurance overview for all FEMA hazard ratings and flood coverage details.
In Michigan, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,110 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $456,300 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1977 |
| Owner-occupied share | 80% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 28% |
| Top county hazard | Winter Weather (Relatively High) |
| Active NFIP policies in Leelanau County | 125 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,110 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Nearby towns
Sources
Data last updated: 2026-09-29
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)