Murray, IA

Iowa

Murray is a small town in Iowa with a population of 648. Residents earn $60,313 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
648 Population 810/sq mi density
$60,313 Median Income $32,508 per capita
$76,300 Home Value $160,330 Zillow
$782 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$60,313 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,300 home value, $782/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,313
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $76,300
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.4%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $782
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.7%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

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

People

Population648
Median Age30.1 yrs
Density810/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,313
Per Capita$32,508
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$639M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,300
Rent$782
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$160,330

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Elevation1,217 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.4%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute28 min
Libraries2

Is Murray a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Murray receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Murray offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Murray is $60,313, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Murray is $76,300, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $782 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Murray experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.7 inches, including 28.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Murray has a population of 648 with a density of 810 people per square mile. The median age is 30.1 years, 23% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.1%).

Population

648
Total Population
810
People / sq mi
30.1yrs
Median Age
23% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.9%
Female 47.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Murray vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.8%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.2%
16% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Murray vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Murray is $60,313, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Murray vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,313
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,508
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$60,534

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg
Establishments (County)248
County GDP$639M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare29
Retail25
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,650
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.6 min
Work from Home2.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Murray is $76,300, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $782 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $160,330.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$76,300
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$160,330

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$782
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,650
33% above US avg
Effective Rate6.09%
In Murray, 42.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.0% report depression. 28.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.7%
33% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity28.3%
Depression23.0%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Checkup Rate74.2%
Premature Death8,721/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access62.3%
Healthcare Facilities29

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Murray has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall28.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,217 ft (371 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density810/sq mi
Coordinates41.0413°N, 93.9488°W
County FIPS19039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.4%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 42.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.4%
54% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density810/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities29
Restaurants18
Retail Stores25

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.6 min
Work from Home2.1%

Nearby Cities

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