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CITY · 2010 ACS

Murphy

North Carolina · 1,627 residents · 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 $31,198. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $139,000. The poverty rate of 27.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,627
+4%since 2000
from 1,568 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
633 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 610 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.5
−3%since 2000
from 42.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K3K1990201020202024Murphy
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,198
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,952 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,850
Unchangedsince 2000
from $16,926 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
13.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
27.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.448
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade12.7%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade11.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction8.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 7%
Education & health services2.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$139,000
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$470
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $311 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
26.2%
−29.3 ptssince 2000
from 55.4% in 2000
49.4% rent
Vacancy rate
16.8%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
33.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 34.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.5
+50%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic85%(1,383)
Black4.1%(66)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(68)
Asian2.1%(34)
Other5.5%(90)
Diversity Score35.4%(576)
Diversity Score
35
+54%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
83.1%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.2 min
+46%since 2000
from 9.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
19.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
31.7%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Female
52.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Foreign born
6.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.3%
−36.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Murphy

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Pop 1,586
Moore Haven
Pop 1,745
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Compare Murphy to nearby cities

MURPHY VS
Athens
Income$53,929+73%
Home value$225,000+62%
Population15,263+744%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MURPHY VS
Maryville
Income$81,963+163%
Home value$358,100+158%
Population32,442+1694%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MURPHY VS
Cleveland
Income$58,559+88%
Home value$272,200+96%
Population51,172+2730%
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MURPHY VS
Alcoa
Income$65,714+111%
Home value$277,100+99%
Population13,689+657%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Murphy, North Carolina?

Murphy, North Carolina has about 1,627 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Murphy, North Carolina earns about $31,198 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 $139,000, and the typical rent is about $470 a month.

How educated are people in Murphy, North Carolina?

About 22.0% 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 27.0% of people in Murphy, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Murphy, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Murphy, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 20 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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

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