Checked
Murphy, NC
Town in Cherokee County, North Carolina.
Population
1,604
Land area
2.6sq mi
People per sq mi
624
ZIP codes
0
Murphy and its ZIP codes
Murphy at a glance
- Murphy is about 2.8 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $37,263 a year, 49% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $250,000 (13% below North Carolina) and median rent is $422 a month.
Local data for Murphy, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Murphy, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$37,263
Poverty rate
17.5%
Median home value
$250,000
Median rent
$422/mo
Homeownership
46.0%
Bachelor's or higher
26.8%
Median age
34.5
Average commute
14.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (174), Irish Americans (123), Dutch Americans (110).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Cherokee County. PPP loans are for Murphy.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
Aug 2026, -0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$47,296
7,869 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,135
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$326M
FY 2026, $11,335 per person
How people get to work
Murphy, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone67.9%
- Carpooled9.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked18.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home2.7%
Average one-way commute: 14.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Murphy, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
280
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
138
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 25°F
59.3 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Murphy, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.0%
U.S. 33.3% +0.7 pts
Diabetes
11.5%
U.S. 12.1% -0.6 pts
Smoking
16.2%
U.S. 12.8% +3.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.1%
U.S. 11.1% -1.0 pts
Cities near Murphy
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MarbleCensus-designated place | 8.4 mi | 1.1 |
| HayesvilleTown | 13 mi | 0.6 |
| AndrewsTown | 14 mi | 1.6 |
| Young Harris, GACity | 15 mi | 0.9 |
| Blairsville, GACity | 16 mi | 1.2 |
| Farner, TNCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 1.5 |
| Mineral Bluff, GACensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1.4 |
| Coker Creek, TNCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1.9 |
| Hiawassee, GACity | 19 mi | 1.6 |
| Morganton, GACity | 19 mi | 0.8 |
| Ducktown, TNCity | 20 mi | 2.6 |
| RobbinsvilleTown | 20 mi | 0.7 |
| McCaysville, GACity | 21 mi | 1.5 |
| Lake SanteetlahTown | 21 mi | 0.2 |
| Copperhill, TNCity | 21 mi | 1.8 |
| Epworth, GACensus-designated place | 22 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Murphy, NC in?
- Murphy is in Cherokee County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Murphy, NC?
- About 1,604 people live in Murphy, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Murphy?
- Nearby places include Marble (8.4 mi), Hayesville (13 mi), Andrews (14 mi), Young Harris, GA (15 mi), Blairsville, GA (16 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023