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CITY

Murphy

North Carolina · 1,808 residents (2025 est.) · 2.571 sq mi
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The short version

Murphy has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,263. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $250,000. At a median age of 34.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 49% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 86%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,604
+2%since 2000
from 1,568 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
624 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 610 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.5
−19%since 2000
from 42.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,808 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K3K1990201020202024Murphy
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,263
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,952 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,278
+85%since 2000
from $16,926 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.7%
+20.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.5%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
+4%since 2010
from 0.448 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information33.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services3%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$250,000
+86%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$422
−26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $311 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
46.0%
−9.5 ptssince 2000
from 55.4% in 2000
54.0% rent
Vacancy rate
17.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.6%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 34.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
25.9%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 35.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.7
+127%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Murphy on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.3%(1,385)
Black5.5%(86)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(45)
Asian1.3%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score23%(360)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.2%(1,255)
Black12.2%(195)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(66)
Asian0.5%(8)
Other5%(80)
Diversity Score46.1%(740)
Diversity Score
46
+101%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.8%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.9%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
+49%since 2000
from 9.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.9%
−14.6 ptssince 2009
from 82.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
18.5%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2011
from 5.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 52.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.0%
−31.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.5%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Female
43.5%
−11.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.3%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2012
from 18.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
20.2%
−52.7 ptssince 2013
from 72.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
61.1%
Unchangedsince 2017
from 61.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.8%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 94.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.9%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 3.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Murphy

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Pop 1,697
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Pop 1,688
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Pop 1,586
Moore Haven
Pop 1,745
Places similar to Murphy
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Compare Murphy to nearby cities

MURPHY VS
Athens
Income$53,929+45%
Home value$225,000−10%
Population15,263+744%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MURPHY VS
Maryville
Income$81,963+120%
Home value$358,100+43%
Population32,442+1694%
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MURPHY VS
Cleveland
Income$58,559+57%
Home value$272,200+9%
Population51,172+2730%
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MURPHY VS
Alcoa
Income$65,714+76%
Home value$277,100+11%
Population13,689+657%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Murphy, North Carolina?

Murphy, North Carolina has about 1,604 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Murphy, North Carolina?

The typical household in Murphy, North Carolina earns about $37,263 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Murphy, North Carolina expensive?

In Murphy, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $250,000, and the typical rent is about $422 a month.

How educated are people in Murphy, North Carolina?

About 26.8% of adults age 25 and over in Murphy, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Murphy, North Carolina?

About 17.5% of people in Murphy, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Murphy, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Murphy, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3 residents, a change of about -0 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →