Population 8,097 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Murray County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Murray County
Household size in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.22 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.24 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.22 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Murray County is a place of small households, averaging 2.22 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest. Few Minnesota counties have smaller households: only seven of 87.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.5 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.9 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.2 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.1 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Murray County skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.1, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has edged down from 46.5 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.5% of households in Murray County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 0.6 points, even as the national share fell. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only eight have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Murray County
Renters in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.8% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.8% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Murray County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 54.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.1 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Murray County than nationally: 12.4%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 0.7 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1961 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1960 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Murray County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1960, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1955 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $508 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $570 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $691 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $832 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$324 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Murray County runs $832 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $324 a month from 2006–10, a 64% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 26.0% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Murray County
Bachelor's degrees in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.5% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Murray County: 23.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.0% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.5% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.2% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.7% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Murray County is a bit above the national rate: 91.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Still, the rate is lower than in Minnesota as a whole (93.7%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.7 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Murray County
| Period | Murray County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.4% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.2% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.6% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Murray County has been low: just 2.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 0.8 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Murray County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | 2.22 | 46.1 | 6.5% | 17.8% | 12.4% | 1960 | $832 | 23.5% | 91.7% | 2.6% |
| Pipestone County | 2.34 | 40.6 | 8.8% | 19.2% | 8.7% | 1955 | $775 | 22.0% | 92.6% | 3.0% |
| Cottonwood County | 2.42 | 39.7 | 8.3% | 25.6% | 10.5% | 1961 | $822 | 23.5% | 94.1% | 2.7% |
| Moody County | 2.50 | 41.1 | 9.8% | 26.5% | 6.8% | 1971 | $864 | 31.6% | 95.3% | 2.6% |
| Watonwan County | 2.66 | 40.2 | 11.5% | 22.2% | 14.3% | 1961 | $831 | 17.3% | 86.2% | 5.6% |
| Lake County | 2.25 | 45.0 | 7.5% | 26.2% | 16.3% | 1970 | $945 | 35.3% | 93.5% | 3.1% |
| Miner County | 2.42 | 48.1 | 6.9% | 15.2% | 16.9% | 1954 | $638 | 16.4% | 94.9% | 0.2% |
| Waseca County | 2.42 | 40.7 | 11.3% | 19.3% | 6.0% | 1966 | $941 | 20.6% | 93.5% | 2.7% |
| Sanborn County | 2.51 | 39.7 | 4.0% | 21.4% | 19.5% | 1958 | $778 | 21.8% | 89.1% | 0.6% |
| Steele County | 2.48 | 40.7 | 10.2% | 20.6% | 5.8% | 1974 | $1,181 | 27.4% | 93.4% | 3.7% |
| Jerauld County | 2.20 | 50.8 | 6.4% | 15.9% | 18.5% | 1958 | $737 | 21.5% | 93.5% | 1.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Colfax County, NE · Tipton County, IN · Tillman County, OK · Cottonwood County, MN · Corson County, SD · Copper River Census Area, AK · Cooper County, MO · Concho County, TX · Comanche County, KS · Colonial Heights City, VA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Murray County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.