Murphys, CA

California

Murphys is a small town in California with a population of 1,821. Residents earn $54,875 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,821 Population 335/sq mi density
$54,875 Median Income $43,689 per capita
$506,300 Home Value $471,669 Zillow
$1,581 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$54,875 median income, 2.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.4 / 5.0
$506,300 home value, $1,581/mo rent
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
31.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,875
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $506,300
80% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.9%
5% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,581
36% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.2%
12% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.6%
39% lower than US avg

How Murphys Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,821
Median Age62.8 yrs
Density335/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,875
Per Capita$43,689
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty7.6%
County GDP$2,074M
Commute23 min

Housing

F
Home Value$506,300
Rent$1,581
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$471,669

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity28.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain29.8 in/yr
Elevation2,248 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+31.9%
High School+91.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute23 min
EV Stations3
Libraries9

Is Murphys a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Murphys receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, below-average incomes. Murphys offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Murphys is $54,875, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Murphys is $506,300, making it a premium housing market at 80% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,581 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Murphys enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Murphys has a population of 1,821 with a density of 335 people per square mile. The median age is 62.8 years, 61% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.9%).

Population

1,821
Total Population
335
People / sq mi
62.8yrs
Median Age
61% above US avg
5.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Murphys vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Murphys vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Murphys is $54,875, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Murphys vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,875
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,689
Avg Weekly Wage$1,112
IRS Avg AGI$79,712

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.6%
39% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,514
County GDP$2,074M

Business (County)

Restaurants118
Healthcare90
Retail136
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,385
54% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.9 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Murphys is $506,300, 80% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,581 (36% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $471,669.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$506,300
80% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$471,669

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,581
36% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,385
54% above US avg
Effective Rate1.06%
In Murphys, 28.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.9% report depression. 19.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Murphys vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.2%
12% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure26.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity19.5%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate70.8%
Premature Death7,926/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access72.8%
Healthcare Facilities90

Crime Rates: Murphys vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Murphys has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.8 inches
22% below US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,248 ft (685 m)
Area5.4 sq mi (14.1 km²)
Population Density335/sq mi
Coordinates38.1361°N, 120.4439°W
County FIPS06009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (5% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.8%
D 34.7%

Winner: Republican by 28.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.9%
5% below US avg
High School+91.5%
School Test Score4.69
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density335/sq mi
Total Area5.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities90
Restaurants118
Retail Stores136

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.9 min
Work from Home10.1%

Nearby Cities

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