On the shores of Lake Michigan, Empire Township contains a substantial amount of land within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

[3] Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was established in 1970, protecting the natural scenery of the area at the federal level.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,085 people, 500 households, and 325 families residing in the township.

There were 940 housing units at an average density of 26.7 per square mile (10.3/km2).

31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.