1st Advantage MortgageMurray County households have a median income of $69,253 and median rent of $857 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Murray County
- Household income in Murray County
- How Murray County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Murray County
- The communities that make up Murray County
- The counties around Murray County
- Budget math at the Murray County median
- More Murray County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Murray County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Murray County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Murray County
With an estimated 40,562 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Murray County ranks 52nd of 159 in Georgia for population. Packed into 344 square miles, that is close to 118 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Dalton, GA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Chatsworth, with about 4,893 residents, or 12% of the county.
Household income in Murray County
At $69,253, the typical Murray County household income is 5% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 46th among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Band | Murray County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.1% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.8% | +7.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.8% | -3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -6.6 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 14.4% of Murray County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.437 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $69,253 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Murray County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Murray County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 32% of workers, followed by education and health care (15%). Manufacturing stands out: 32% of workers here, versus 10% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Murray County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Only 5.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Murray County share | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 31.7% | +21.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.3% | -5.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.0% | -5.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.2% | -2.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Murray County
Renters in Murray County pay a median of $857 a month, 38% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. Home values center on $180,700, or 2.6 years of median income. 74% of Murray County households own their home and 26% rent.
| Cost | Murray County | Georgia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $857/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $180,700 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 27.1% | 7.8% | n/a |
Because most Murray County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The communities that make up Murray County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 14% of Murray County residents live in one of the 2. No Murray County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatsworth | city | 4,893 | $69,058 | $821 | 3 mi |
| Eton | city | 735 | $79,250 | $957 | 3 mi |
The counties around Murray County
Six nearby counties, 13 to 24 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Murray County; Catoosa County is highest at $74,639 and Fannin County lowest at $57,073. Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Murray County resident follows Georgia rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | - | $69,253 | $857/mo | 74% |
| Whitfield County, GA | 13 mi | $67,070 | $971/mo | 67% |
| Gilmer County, GA | 18 mi | $74,499 | $998/mo | 81% |
| Gordon County, GA | 21 mi | $63,650 | $937/mo | 74% |
| Catoosa County, GA | 24 mi | $74,639 | $993/mo | 74% |
| Polk County, TN | 24 mi | $62,522 | $676/mo | 84% |
| Fannin County, GA | 24 mi | $57,073 | $900/mo | 79% |
Budget math at the Murray County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Murray County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,771 before taxes
- 15% goes to median rent ($857)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,451 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Murray County figures
15% of Murray County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 13.8%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| People and households | Murray County | Georgia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.0% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 21.1% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.8% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Murray County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 15.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.9% |
Borrowing situations common in Murray County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Murray County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 14% of Murray County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 27% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Georgia borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Murray County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Murray County borrowers answers to the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Murray County a high-income county?
Its $69,253 median ranks 46th of 159 Georgia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Murray County rent compare with Georgia?
$857 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 38% below.
Does this page cover Chatsworth?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Murray County, such as Eton.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Murray County or elsewhere in Georgia, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Murray County check a lender's license?
With the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.