Murray city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Murray city is a small city located in Kentucky. The total population is 17,888. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Murray city is 25.7 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Murray city is $40,348. This is 35% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $193,300. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 41.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Murray city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.5%).

Education

37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.4%. Notably, 16.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Murray city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.