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Murray, KY

Frequently asked questions

Murray, KY

Murray is a home rule-class city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. It is the seat of Calloway County and the 19th-largest city in Kentucky. The city's population was 17,741 during the 2010 U.S. census, and its micropolitan area's population is 37,191. Murray is a college town and is the home of Murray State University.

Murray is located at 36°36′34″N 88°18′56″W (36.609494, −88.315656), 7 miles (11 km) north of the Tennessee border. Benton is 19 miles (31 km) to the north, and Mayfield is 24 miles (39 km) to the northwest. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.2 km²), 0.29 square miles (0.75 km²), or 0.26%, is water. Murray is situated 15 miles (24 km) west of the 170,000 acres (690 km²) of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, which offers hiking, elk and bison viewing, birding, 1850s historic buildings, a planetarium, a nature center, off-highway vehicle riding, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and a large wildlife population.

The city now known as Murray began as a post office and trading center sometime in the early 1820s. It was initially called “Williston” in honor of James Willis, an early settler. Later, the name was changed to “Pooltown” after Robert Pool, a local merchant. The name was changed again to “Pleasant Springs” before its incorporation on January 17, 1844, when the present name was adopted to honor Rep. John Murray.

Murray was not the first county seat, which was at Wadesboro. Calloway County was then much larger than today. In 1842, however, the state legislature divided the area, creating Marshall County. A more centrally located county seat was needed, and as the village of Murray was at the geographic center, it was chosen. A new courthouse was built along with a jail, and the town of Murray was laid out on an 80-acre (320,000 m²) plot subdivided into 137 business and residential lots divided by eight streets.

Murray focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Murray Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include CrossFit Murray, Tribe Fitness, and Quest Fitness Center. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Murray, such as the Paducah Greenway and Betsy Ligon Park & Walking Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Murray, KY are Wrather West Kentucky Museum, Playhouse In the Park, and Murray State Arboretum.

ZIP Code: 42071. Population: 17,307 (2020). Area: 11.3 square miles (29.2 km²). Area code(s): 270. Elevation: 535 ft.

FAQs

Is Murray, KY a good place to live?

Living in Murray offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. Many young professionals live in Murray and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Murray are highly rated.

What is the race population in Murray, KY?

Murray, KY is home to a population of 17.4k people, of which 97.8% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.63% of Murray, KY residents were born outside of the country (806 people). In 2022, there were 13.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (14.6k people) in Murray, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.11k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 545 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the poverty rate in Murray, KY?

In 2022, the median household income of Murray households was $37,421. Murray households made slightly more than Hodgenville households ($37,022) and Inez households ($37,159). However, 14.8% of Murray families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

Calloway County

Parks and Recreation Department 

CrossFit Murray

Tribe Fitness 

Quest Fitness Center

Paducah Greenway 

Betsy Ligon Park & Walking Trail

Wrather West Kentucky Museum

Playhouse In the Park

Murray State Arboretum

Niche

DataUSA

Kentucky Demographics

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