Murphys, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Murphys, California had a total population of 1,951, the 905th largest community in California, with a median household income of $73,571, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Murphys Quick Facts
How Murphys Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,821 | 1,951 | +7.1% |
| Median household income | $54,875 | $73,571 | +34.1% |
| Median home value | $506,300 | $525,700 | +3.8% |
How Murphys Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Murphys Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Calaveras County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Calaveras | 7,131 | $88,779 | 13.9% | $443,900 |
| Copperopolis | 4,285 | $108,457 | 7.4% | $487,200 |
| Angels | 3,716 | $62,188 | 11.2% | $484,800 |
| San Andreas | 2,979 | $51,684 | 28.1% | $419,700 |
| Arnold | 2,482 | $92,467 | 4.2% | $485,700 |
| Forest Meadows | 1,623 | $89,044 | 11.0% | $539,700 |
| Mokelumne Hill | 968 | $88,685 | 0.0% | $376,600 |
| Valley Springs | 910 | $45,786 | 25.2% | $286,200 |
| West Point | 909 | $70,594 | 17.9% | N/A |
| Wallace | 714 | $143,650 | 0.0% | $581,200 |
Cities Similar to Murphys
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel Island | 1,864 | $74,972 | $682,700 | 18.9% | 34.6% |
| Byron | 1,837 | $76,424 | $750,000 | 15.7% | 15.4% |
| Thermal | 1,800 | N/A | $187,000 | 8.7% | 19.3% |
| Anza | 1,898 | $83,558 | $346,600 | 17.9% | 10.5% |
| Montalvin Manor | 2,063 | $79,542 | $438,600 | 27.4% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Murphys is a small community located in California, within Calaveras County. The total population is 1,951. It ranks as the 905th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murphys is 64.6 years. This is 70% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 7.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 23.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Murphys is $73,571. This is 26% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $525,700. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 71.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Murphys has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.3% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
33.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murphys, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Murphys, California?
Murphys, California has a population of 1,951 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murphys, CA?
The median household income in Murphys is $73,571, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Murphys, CA?
The poverty rate in Murphys is 10.0%. This means approximately 195 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murphys, California?
Murphys's population is 87.3% White, 0.0% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murphys, CA?
The median home value in Murphys is $525,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Murphys, California?
33.9% of adults (25+) in Murphys hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.