Murray, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Murray, Kentucky
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an Aerial View of Murray in 2020
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Location of Murray in Calloway County, Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Calloway |
| Founded | c. 1822 |
| Incorporated | January 17, 1844 |
| Named for | John L. Murray |
| Area | |
| • City | 11.68 sq mi (30.24 km2) |
| • Land | 11.65 sq mi (30.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 17,307 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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18,086 |
| • Density | 1,485.58/sq mi (573.57/km2) |
| • Metro | 37,191 |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
42071
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-54642 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0499118 |
Murray is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. It's the main town in Calloway County. In 2020, about 17,307 people lived there. Murray is known as a college town because it's home to Murray State University.
Contents
History of Murray
How Murray Began
Murray started as a small trading spot in the early 1820s. It was first called "Williston," named after an early settler, James Willis. Later, its name changed to "Pooltown" after a local merchant, Robert Pool. Before it officially became a city on January 17, 1844, it was called "Pleasant Springs." The city was finally named "Murray" to honor John Murray, a representative.
Murray wasn't always the main town of Calloway County. The first county seat was Wadesboro. Calloway County used to be much bigger. In 1842, the state split the area, creating Marshall County. Because Murray was in the middle of the new, smaller Calloway County, it was chosen as the new county seat. A new courthouse and jail were built, and the town was planned out with streets and lots.
Murray During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Kentucky tried to stay neutral. However, many people in Murray and Calloway County supported the Confederate side. Calloway County even sent a representative to a meeting that formed a Confederate government for Kentucky. This area was controlled by the Confederates early in the war.
No big battles happened right in Murray, but there were smaller fights. In 1862, Union soldiers from Paducah marched through the county, taking supplies. Parts of Murray were burned several times. Once, the Union Army burned buildings on the east side of the court square. A few days later, they burned buildings north of the square.
About 800 local men joined the Confederate Army, while around 200 fought for the Union. There's a monument on the courthouse square that honors the Confederate soldiers from Calloway County. People have discussed moving this monument, but in 2020, the County Court decided to keep it there.
Where is Murray?
Location and Size
Murray is located about 7 miles (11 km) north of the Tennessee border. Benton is 19 miles (31 km) north, and Mayfield is 24 miles (39 km) northwest.
The city covers a total area of about 11.3 square miles (29.2 square kilometers). Only a tiny part of this area is water.
Murray is also about 15 miles (24 km) west of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This huge area offers lots of outdoor activities like hiking, seeing elk and bison, bird watching, and visiting old historic buildings. You can also find a planetarium, a nature center, and places for off-road vehicles, fishing, boating, and camping.
What is Murray's Climate Like?
Murray has a humid subtropical climate, which means it has four clear seasons. The warmest month is July, with average high temperatures around 90 °F (32 °C). The coldest month is January, with average high temperatures around 45 °F (7 °C).
| Climate data for Murray, Kentucky (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1926–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
81 (27) |
92 (33) |
92 (33) |
101 (38) |
106 (41) |
110 (43) |
109 (43) |
108 (42) |
97 (36) |
86 (30) |
79 (26) |
110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 66.3 (19.1) |
71.6 (22.0) |
79.4 (26.3) |
85.2 (29.6) |
89.5 (31.9) |
94.4 (34.7) |
96.5 (35.8) |
96.9 (36.1) |
92.8 (33.8) |
85.6 (29.8) |
75.8 (24.3) |
67.2 (19.6) |
98.2 (36.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 45.6 (7.6) |
50.4 (10.2) |
60.6 (15.9) |
71.4 (21.9) |
78.9 (26.1) |
86.3 (30.2) |
89.3 (31.8) |
88.8 (31.6) |
82.6 (28.1) |
71.2 (21.8) |
58.4 (14.7) |
48.4 (9.1) |
69.3 (20.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 36.5 (2.5) |
40.5 (4.7) |
49.4 (9.7) |
59.4 (15.2) |
68.0 (20.0) |
75.8 (24.3) |
79.2 (26.2) |
78.1 (25.6) |
71.4 (21.9) |
59.8 (15.4) |
48.0 (8.9) |
39.6 (4.2) |
58.8 (14.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.4 (−2.6) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
38.2 (3.4) |
47.5 (8.6) |
57.0 (13.9) |
65.4 (18.6) |
69.0 (20.6) |
67.4 (19.7) |
60.3 (15.7) |
48.4 (9.1) |
37.6 (3.1) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
48.3 (9.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 10.1 (−12.2) |
13.7 (−10.2) |
21.5 (−5.8) |
32.4 (0.2) |
43.3 (6.3) |
55.0 (12.8) |
61.4 (16.3) |
58.9 (14.9) |
47.2 (8.4) |
33.7 (0.9) |
23.0 (−5.0) |
15.3 (−9.3) |
6.9 (−13.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −20 (−29) |
−12 (−24) |
−6 (−21) |
20 (−7) |
33 (1) |
39 (4) |
44 (7) |
39 (4) |
28 (−2) |
21 (−6) |
−1 (−18) |
−13 (−25) |
−20 (−29) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.24 (108) |
5.17 (131) |
5.54 (141) |
5.58 (142) |
5.76 (146) |
5.31 (135) |
4.73 (120) |
3.60 (91) |
3.86 (98) |
4.14 (105) |
4.63 (118) |
5.53 (140) |
58.09 (1,475) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.3 (5.8) |
1.8 (4.6) |
1.0 (2.5) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.1 (2.8) |
6.5 (17) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.6 | 10.0 | 11.5 | 11.1 | 11.7 | 9.9 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 11.2 | 117.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 4.0 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Tornadoes and Storms in Murray
Murray has experienced several tornadoes and strong storms. Two of these were very powerful F4 tornadoes. In February 2008, Kentucky and nearby states had many strong tornadoes, including some in Western Kentucky. In June 2009, a storm with winds up to 90 mph (145 km/h) damaged trees and buildings. Another tornado outbreak in July 2009 affected Independence Day celebrations.
Murray's City Look
The buildings in downtown Murray show its long history. In 2014, a special event marked 150 years since the Civil War at Fort Heiman. This fort became a National Battlefield in 2006.
Who Lives in Murray?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 218 | — | |
| 1870 | 179 | −17.9% | |
| 1880 | 636 | 255.3% | |
| 1890 | 518 | −18.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,822 | 251.7% | |
| 1910 | 2,089 | 14.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,415 | 15.6% | |
| 1930 | 2,891 | 19.7% | |
| 1940 | 3,773 | 30.5% | |
| 1950 | 6,035 | 60.0% | |
| 1960 | 9,303 | 54.2% | |
| 1970 | 13,537 | 45.5% | |
| 1980 | 14,248 | 5.3% | |
| 1990 | 14,439 | 1.3% | |
| 2000 | 14,950 | 3.5% | |
| 2010 | 17,741 | 18.7% | |
| 2020 | 17,307 | −2.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 18,086 | 1.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the census of 2000, there were 14,950 people living in Murray. The city's population has grown over the years, reaching 17,307 in 2020. The people living in Murray come from various backgrounds.
Religion in Murray
Murray has many different religious groups. There are 75 religious places in and around the city. Baptists are the largest faith group, with 28 churches in the area.
Fun Things to Do in Murray
Museums and Art Galleries
The Clara M. Eagle Gallery is an art gallery with about 1,200 permanent artworks. It also hosts special shows featuring different types of art. The gallery has about 8,300 square feet (771 square meters) of space for displays.
The Wrather West Kentucky Museum is in the first building ever built at Murray State University. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This museum is free to visit and shows how people in the Jackson Purchase region of Kentucky have developed socially, economically, and culturally.
Parks in Murray
Murray has three city parks that cover over 200 acres (81 hectares) of land: Central Park, Chestnut Park, and Bee Creek. Central Park has a community swimming complex with three pools and a spray park.
The parks offer many sports fields, including 17 soccer fields, two basketball courts, and nine baseball and softball fields. There are also five playgrounds, batting cages, and a skate park. You can enjoy a three-mile (5 km) nature walking trail. The parks have picnic areas, an amphitheater, and the first dog park in west Kentucky. There's also an 18-hole disc golf course.
Playhouse in the Park
Playhouse in the Park is one of Kentucky's oldest community theaters. It's located in Murray's Central Park, inside an old train and freight depot built in 1907. The theater is open all year and puts on many different shows, including comedies, dramas, and musicals.
Sports in Murray
College athletics are very popular in Murray. Murray State University has 16 sports teams that compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports. They have won many conference titles since 1948.
The most popular sport at Murray State is men's basketball. Their team is one of the winningest in NCAA history, with over 1,300 wins. Many players from Murray State have gone on to play in the NBA, like Ja Morant and Joe Fulks.
The Murray State football team has won eight conference titles. They have also sent 17 players to the NFL. Famous coaches like Ralph Friedgen and Frank Beamer have coached at Murray State. The football team has won over 400 games, including a huge 105–0 win against the University of Louisville in 1932.
Movies in Murray
Murray has two movie theaters. The Cheri Theater has seven screens and shows new movies. It started in 1967 as a single-screen theater and has been updated many times. The Curris Center Theater shows international films through a program called Cinema International. These movies are free for students and the public.
Education in Murray
Local Schools
The Murray Independent School system has been around since 1872. It serves over 1,800 students. Many students from Murray High School have been recognized as National Merit Finalists. In 2006, Murray High School's test scores were ranked 9th in Kentucky.
The Calloway County School District serves about 3,200 students. It includes a preschool, three elementary schools, a middle school, and Calloway County High School. Students from both Murray High and Calloway County High can attend the Murray/Calloway County Area Technology Center. Here, they can learn skills like automotive technology, carpentry, cooking, and nursing.
Higher Education
Murray is home to Murray State University, a four-year public university. It was founded in 1922. Today, the university offers many different programs and has over 10,000 students.
Public Library
Murray has a public library called the Calloway County Public Library.
News and Media
The main newspaper in Murray is the Murray Ledger & Times. It has been locally owned since 1879 and is printed six days a week. The Murray State News is a weekly newspaper written by students. It covers campus news, sports, and opinions.
Murray also has four local radio stations. You can also receive signals from 25 different FM stations. The city has one local TV station, WKMU 21, which is part of the statewide KET public TV network.
Getting Around Murray
Roads
US 641, also known as 12th Street, is the main highway in and out of Murray. It connects to Interstate 69 to the north and Interstate 40 to the south.
Kentucky 80 is a newer highway that passes just north of Murray. It helps connect the city to other parts of Kentucky.
Kentucky 94, or Main Street, is the main road that goes through the middle of Murray from east to west.
Kentucky 121, or 4th Street, is another highway that runs through Murray.
There are plans to make Kentucky 121 wider and to build a bypass around the city. These projects will help with traffic congestion in Murray.
Airport
The airport in Murray is called the Murray-Calloway County Airport, also known as Kyle-Oakley Field. It's a general aviation airport, meaning it's mostly for smaller planes. It has a long runway and can handle aircraft up to 60,000 pounds (27,216 kg).
Public Transportation
The Murray Calloway Transit Authority offers a public bus service called "Racer Routes." It has four bus routes around Murray and also provides services for people who don't have a car.
Railroad
The KWT Railway starts just north of Murray and goes south to Bruceton, Tennessee. There, it connects with the CSX railway, which can take trains to Memphis and beyond.
City Services
Murray Electric System provides electricity to the city. They get their power from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which means Murray residents often have low electricity rates. Murray Electric System also offers internet, phone, and cable TV services.
The city's Public Works department manages natural gas and water services. The water system treats over a billion gallons of water each year. The city also has a modern sewage treatment plant that can handle millions of gallons of sewage per day.
Famous People from Murray
Many notable people have connections to Murray, including:
- Timothy D. Adams, a former government official.
- Leigh-Allyn Baker, an actress.
- Gordon Cooper, an astronaut.
- Rebbie Jackson, a singer and older sister of Michael Jackson.
- Molly Sims, a model and actress.
- Chris Thile, a musician and songwriter.
See also
In Spanish: Murray (Kentucky) para niños
