Murphy, NC Demographics

A map of Murphy's Population by Race

Murphy, North Carolina has an estimated population of 1,604, a less than 1% change from the 1,608 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 78.2% White, 12.2% Black, 4.3% Multiracial, 4.1% Hispanic, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 0.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Murphy, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Murphy has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Murphy, that probability was 34.4% in 2020 and 36.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Murphy is ranked the 381st most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Murphy was ranked the 354th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Murphy's White Population

1,255 residents of Murphy, or 78.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Murphy is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Murphy ranks 259th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Murphy's White population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Murphy's population has decreased from 80.3% to 78.2%.

Murphy is more White than neighboring Blairsville (73.8% White), and Young Harris (77% White). Murphy is less White than neighboring Marble (89.8% White), Hayesville (92.3% White), and Andrews (82.3% White).

Murphy's Black Population

195 residents of Murphy, or 12.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Murphy is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Murphy ranks 546th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Murphy's Black population has grown by an estimated 195.5%. Black residents' share of Murphy's population has increased from 4.1% to 12.2%.

Murphy is more Black than neighboring Marble (10.2% Black), Hayesville (1.8% Black), and Andrews (1.3% Black). Murphy is less Black than neighboring Blairsville (16.4% Black), and Young Harris (14% Black).

Murphy's Asian Population

8 residents of Murphy, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Murphy is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Murphy ranks 104th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Murphy's Asian population has declined by an estimated 78.4%. Asian residents' share of Murphy's population has decreased from 2.3% to 0.5%.

Murphy is more Asian than neighboring Marble (0% Asian), Hayesville (0% Asian), Andrews (0% Asian), and Young Harris (0.1% Asian). Murphy is less Asian than neighboring Blairsville (0.9% Asian).

Murphy's Hispanic Population

66 residents of Murphy, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Murphy is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Murphy ranks 642nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Murphy's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 53.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Murphy's population has increased from 2.7% to 4.1%.

Murphy is more Hispanic than neighboring Marble (0% Hispanic), and Hayesville (1.1% Hispanic). Murphy is less Hispanic than neighboring Andrews (13.1% Hispanic), Blairsville (7.5% Hispanic), and Young Harris (5.5% Hispanic).

Murphy's Native American/Other Population

11 residents of Murphy, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Murphy is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Murphy ranks 101st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Murphy's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 63.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Murphy's population has decreased from 1.9% to 0.7%.

Murphy is more Native American/Other than neighboring Marble (0% Native American/Other), Hayesville (0% Native American/Other), Blairsville (0% Native American/Other), and Young Harris (0% Native American/Other). Murphy is less Native American/Other than neighboring Andrews (0.8% Native American/Other).

Murphy's Multiracial Population

69 residents of Murphy, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Murphy is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Murphy ranks 12th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Murphy's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 51.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Murphy's population has decreased from 8.8% to 4.3%.

Murphy is more Multiracial than neighboring Marble (0% Multiracial), Andrews (2.6% Multiracial), Blairsville (1.3% Multiracial), and Young Harris (3.4% Multiracial). Murphy is less Multiracial than neighboring Hayesville (4.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.