1st Advantage MortgageIn Murray County, Minnesota, the typical household earns $74,033 a year and the typical rent is $810. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Minnesota before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Murray County
- How Murray County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Murray County
- Murray County housing compared with Minnesota
- Murray County towns compared
- How Murray County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Murray County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Murray County borrowers
- Murray County households compared
- Minnesota rules that apply in Murray County
- A Murray County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Murray County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Murray County
Roughly 8,097 residents live in Murray County, Minnesota, 75th by population among the state's 87 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 705 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Murray County is not part of any metropolitan area. Slayton is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 2,141 people (26% of the county total). Because Murray County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Murray County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Murray County residents work in education and health care and 12% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Murray County averages 2.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). About 74% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.5% of the total (6.7% statewide).
| Where residents work | Murray County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +0.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.7% | +9.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.3% | -3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.7% | +0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Murray County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Murray County
The median household income in Murray County is $74,033; statewide it is $89,062, so Murray County runs 17% below Minnesota as a whole. In the state ranking that is 44th of 87.
| Household income | Murray County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.6% | +4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.9% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.1% | -5.7 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. 9.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). A household earning below the $74,033 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Murray County housing compared with Minnesota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $810 in Murray County versus $1,280 statewide. 39% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. With a median value of $185,400, a typical Murray County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 82% of Murray County households own their home and 18% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1963.
| Cost | Murray County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $810/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $185,400 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 23% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Murray County towns compared
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Murray County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 5,300 people, so roughly 35% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $62,344 in Slayton to $87,969 in The Lakes. No Murray County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slayton | city | 2,141 | $62,344 | $752 | 2 mi |
| Fulda | city | 1,393 | $71,136 | $834 | 13 mi |
| The Lakes | CDP | 594 | $87,969 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Chandler | city | 331 | $96,786 | $806 | 11 mi |
| Lake Wilson | city | 237 | $65,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Currie | city | 220 | $47,250 | $950 | 6 mi |
| Iona | city | 214 | $44,583 | $768 | 7 mi |
| Avoca | city | 100 | $48,125 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Dovray | city | 41 | $51,875 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Hadley | city | 29 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
How Murray County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 23 to 37 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $66,101 in Nobles County to $75,303 in Lyon County; 1 of these neighbors top Murray County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | - | $74,033 | $810/mo | 82% |
| Nobles County, MN | 23 mi | $66,101 | $896/mo | 74% |
| Pipestone County, MN | 25 mi | $69,628 | $754/mo | 81% |
| Lyon County, MN | 28 mi | $75,303 | $781/mo | 72% |
| Cottonwood County, MN | 29 mi | $72,941 | $817/mo | 74% |
| Rock County, MN | 35 mi | $71,295 | $698/mo | 77% |
| Redwood County, MN | 37 mi | $67,866 | $757/mo | 78% |
What a median Murray County budget can carry
Here is the Murray County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Murray County: $6,169
- Housing at the median rent of $810 uses 13%
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,411 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Murray County borrowers
A few patterns in the Murray County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Murray County households compared
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Murray County | All of Minnesota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.5 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.5% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.1% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Murray County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Minnesota rules that apply in Murray County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Murray County borrowers answers to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
A Murray County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Murray County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Murray County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Minnesota.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Murray County
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Murray County household make?
About $74,033 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 17% below the Minnesota median.
Is Murray County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $810 against $1,280 statewide, and 39% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Murray County?
By population: Slayton, Fulda, The Lakes, Chandler, Lake Wilson. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Murray County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Murray County?
Start with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.