Murray, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Murray, Iowa had a total population of 614, the 421st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,500, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Murray Quick Facts
How Murray 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 | 648 | 614 | -5.2% |
| Median household income | $60,313 | $65,500 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $76,300 | $80,800 | +5.9% |
How Murray 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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Murray Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Clarke County
Cities Similar to Murray
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fontanelle | 615 | $67,750 | $103,000 | 11.7% | 4.9% |
| Manilla | 630 | $65,156 | $88,300 | 10.2% | 6.2% |
| Grand Junction | 603 | $61,667 | $77,000 | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Ainsworth | 633 | $68,333 | $118,400 | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| Bancroft | 626 | $60,000 | $120,700 | 13.3% | 10.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 614, Murray's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Murray is a small community located in Iowa, within Clarke County. The total population is 614. It ranks as the 421st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murray is 31.5 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.8% of the population under 18, Murray has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Murray is $65,500. This is 13% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $80,800. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Murray is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Murray is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%.
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murray, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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 Murray, Iowa?
Murray, Iowa has a population of 614 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murray, IA?
The median household income in Murray is $65,500, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Murray, IA?
The poverty rate in Murray is 8.0%. This means approximately 49 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murray, Iowa?
Murray's population is 84.7% White, 0.0% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murray, IA?
The median home value in Murray is $80,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Murray, Iowa?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Murray hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.