Murray, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Murray, Kentucky had a total population of 18,080, the 23rd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $44,091, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 17,888 | 18,080 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $40,348 | $44,091 | +9.3% |
| Median home value | $193,300 | $195,000 | +0.9% |
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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Murray Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Calloway 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | 17,327 | $52,646 | $207,600 | 26.5% | 17.4% |
| Winchester | 19,213 | $54,378 | $188,300 | 22.4% | 17.3% |
| Madisonville | 19,515 | $53,860 | $164,100 | 23.6% | 23.3% |
| Glasgow | 15,197 | $43,074 | $173,900 | 22.4% | 21.9% |
| Shively | 15,638 | $50,221 | $154,700 | 13.9% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Murray is a small city located in Kentucky, within Calloway County. The total population is 18,080. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murray is 25.8 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Murray is $44,091. This is 31% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.1%. This is 50% 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 5.8%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $195,000. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 41.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Murray is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 1.6%).
Education
36.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murray, Kentucky 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 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. 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, Kentucky?
Murray, Kentucky has a population of 18,080 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murray, KY?
The median household income in Murray is $44,091, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Murray, KY?
The poverty rate in Murray is 24.1%. This means approximately 3,685 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murray, Kentucky?
Murray's population is 81.6% White, 6.9% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murray, KY?
The median home value in Murray is $195,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Murray, Kentucky?
36.1% of adults (25+) in Murray hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.