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About Murray, KY

About Murray, KY

A small college town

Murray is a small rural city built around Murray State University, a public institution with about 9,500 students. Whether it’s a tour of the Clara Eagle Art Gallery or an afternoon rooting for the football team at Roy Stewart Stadium, the college offers plenty of activities for locals. A highly rated public school district complements the city’s strong educational core. Beyond the university and the school district, top employers include a dairy company, a window manufacturer and a food manufacturer. When it’s time to unwind after work, the 18,000 residents rely on Kentucky Lake, one of the nation’s largest manmade lakes. “The lake is one of the biggest draws, and a lot of residents own second houses alongside it,” says Realtor Tammy Cothran, who has lived in the city for 21 years and sells homes with Keller Williams Experience Realty. “It’s even used for professional bass fishing tournaments.”

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Kentucky Lake is a beautiful place to spend time near Murray, Kentucky.
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Murray State University was founded started in 1922.
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A highly rated school district

The Murray Independent School District has an A Niche rating and is ranked by the website as the #2 school district in Kentucky. The district’s reading and math proficiencies are well above state and national averages.

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Murray Middle School offers education to students in grades 4 - 8.
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Murray Elementary School offers education to students in grades K - 3.
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Mid-20th century homes and newer builds

The city’s median single-family home price is $270,000, which is below the national median of around $400,000 but slightly above the state median. North of Glendale Road, most homes are mid-century ranch styles and bungalows priced from $125,000 to $330,000. On the city’s south end, New Traditionals, Colonial Revivals and Contemporaries are priced from $250,000 to $560,000. “The real estate market here is pretty stable, but we’ve seen a lot of people relocating to our area,” Cothran says. “I think a lot of people have come here to avoid the catastrophic events that have happened all over the country, like the floods, hurricanes and fires.”

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Colorful two story Bungalow homes can be found in the city of Murray.
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A variety of house styles can be found in Murray including Ranch style homes.
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Fishing and boating at Kentucky Lake

The biggest outdoor draw is Kentucky Lake, a 160,300-acre artificial lake created in 1944 by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The lake is popular among boaters and has several beaches, hiking trails and campgrounds. The city does not have neighborhood greenspaces, but it makes up for it with Central Park, which has a dog park, an outdoor amphitheater, a public pool, a soccer complex and a performing arts building. The area has two membership-only country clubs and one public golf course.

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The shores of Kentucky Lake are a short drive away from the city of Murray.
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Skateboard is fun and exciting at Central Park in Murray.
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Several options for franchise and local dining

Twelfth Street passes through the center of town and is lined with a mix of fast-food joints, sit-down chains, local Mexican spots and diners. Big-box grocery stores are on the north and south ends of town. A few blocks off Twelfth Street, Main Street is a charming downtown area with several local dining options, shops and a few empty storefronts. “We’re a small town, so some shopping and restaurant experiences are limited,” Cothran says. “I’m a transplant, so that was an adjustment.”

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Grocery options in Murray include Kroger.
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Los Portales is one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Murray.
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Sporting events and theater at the college

Entertainment options are also limited. Just off North 12th Street, Cheri Theatres is a local movie house that shows first-run films. Most of the remaining entertainment options are located on Murray State’s campus. The Murray State Racers’ football and basketball teams compete in the NCAA Division I. Also on campus, Lovett Auditorium puts on university plays and concerts and occasionally hosts visiting musicians.

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Roy Stewart Stadium was opened in 1973.
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The Cheri Theater makes for a great place to enjoy a new movie.
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Traveling to Nashville

Nashville is 120 miles southeast of Murray via Kentucky Route 80 and Interstate 24. Residents take flights out of Nashville International Airport, and Murray-Calloway County Hospital is in town.

Lower crime rates in Murray

According to FBI data, the city’s violent and property crime rates have fallen over the past decade. The violent crime rate is well below the state and national rates, and the property crime rate is also below.

William Palicia
Written By
William Palicia
Andrew Nelson
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Nelson
Francisco de la Vera
Video By
Francisco de la Vera

Murray by the Numbers

18,421
Population
60
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Murray, KY

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Murray Elementary School
#1 Murray Elementary School
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Southwest Calloway Elementary School
#2 Southwest Calloway Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
North Calloway Elementary School
#3 North Calloway Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
East Calloway Elementary School
#4 East Calloway Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Murray Middle School
#1 Murray Middle School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Calloway County Middle School
#2 Calloway County Middle School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Calloway County Alternative Educational Center
#3 Calloway County Alternative Educational Center
1
GreatSchools
Calloway County Day Treatment
#4 Calloway County Day Treatment

Best Public High Schools

Murray High School
#1 Murray High School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Calloway County High School
#2 Calloway County High School
B
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Calloway County Alternative Educational Center
#3 Calloway County Alternative Educational Center
1
GreatSchools
Calloway County Day Treatment
#4 Calloway County Day Treatment
Murray/Calloway County Area Tech Center
#5 Murray/Calloway County Area Tech Center

Best Private Schools

Eastwood Christian Academy
#1 Eastwood Christian Academy
Harmony Christian School
#2 Harmony Christian School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Kartik Patel
(270) 423-8999
Thinking of buying a home? Wanting to sell your home? Or are you an investor looking for other income opportunities? My main focus is dedicated to helping people through their journey of turning their real estate dreams into reality. Unlike many realtors, I provide the modern, yet caring professionalism that you deserve. My excellent negotiation and extensive marketing skills along with rapid responsiveness gives you peace of mind and assurance that you're taken care of every step of the way. If you have any concerns about my other methods and plans for helping you buy or sell your home, contact me today @ 270-625-0519. Bottom line, you are my priority; You deserve the best!
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.