1st Advantage MortgageMurray County households have a median income of $66,322 and median rent of $881 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Oklahoma before sharing details.
On this page
- Murray County at a glance
- Murray County housing compared with Oklahoma
- How much Murray County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Murray County
- How Murray County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Murray County
- What a median Murray County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Murray County borrowers
- Who lives in Murray County, in numbers
- Oklahoma rules that apply in Murray County
- Checklist for Murray County applicants
- More guides for Murray County
- Frequently asked questions
Murray County at a glance
Murray County is home to about 13,753 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 49th most populous of 77 county-level areas in Oklahoma. Spread over 416 square miles, that works out to roughly 33.0 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Sulphur is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 4,874 people (35% of the county total).
Murray County housing compared with Oklahoma
Renters in Murray County pay a median of $881 a month, 13% below the Oklahoma figure of $1,014. By the Census definition, 36% of Murray County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,800, about 2.4 times the median household income. Owners occupy 72% of homes.
| Murray County | Oklahoma | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $881/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,800 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% | 8.2% | 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).
How much Murray County households make
Half of Murray County households take in less than $66,322 a year and half take in more, 2% above the Oklahoma median of $65,039. Only 13 Oklahoma counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Murray County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.5% | +0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | -0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | +1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -1.2 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 12.7%, 3 points lower than the state's 15.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.488 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Murray County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 16%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward retail trade (16% against 12%). The survey's unemployment rate for Murray County averages 2.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.0%). About 84% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.1% of the total (5.6% statewide).
| Top industries | Murray County share | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.7% | -3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.9% | +4.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.8% | +1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | -0.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How Murray County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Carter County at 20 miles out to Love County at 38. Income ranges from $52,688 in Johnston County to $66,580 in Love County; 1 of these neighbors top Murray County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | - | $66,322 | $881/mo | 72% |
| Carter County, OK | 20 mi | $60,723 | $980/mo | 67% |
| Garvin County, OK | 21 mi | $58,556 | $825/mo | 68% |
| Johnston County, OK | 27 mi | $52,688 | $762/mo | 72% |
| Pontotoc County, OK | 27 mi | $63,017 | $889/mo | 66% |
| Marshall County, OK | 36 mi | $57,245 | $824/mo | 78% |
| Love County, OK | 38 mi | $66,580 | $939/mo | 73% |
The communities that make up Murray County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Murray County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 8,057 people, so roughly 41% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | city | 4,874 | $66,957 | $954 | 5 mi |
| Davis | city | 2,814 | $51,875 | $838 | 7 mi |
| Dougherty | town | 249 | $58,000 | $1,045 | 6 mi |
| Hickory | town | 120 | $76,875 | n/a | 13 mi |
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: $5,527
- Median rent: $881, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 35% cap, $1,934 total minus rent leaves $1,053
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,606 a month
If your rent is above $881, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Murray County borrowers
What the Murray County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- 13% 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).
Who lives in Murray County, in numbers
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. 12.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Murray County | Oklahoma | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.6% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Murray County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Oklahoma rules that apply in Murray County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Murray County borrowers answers to the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Consumer lending in Oklahoma is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Oklahoma guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Murray County applicants
Quick steps for Murray County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Murray County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Oklahoma.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Murray County
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Murray County?
$66,322 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $65,039 for Oklahoma. It ranks 14th of 77 in the state.
How does Murray County rent compare with Oklahoma?
$881 locally versus $1,014 for the state, 13% below.
Should Murray County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Murray County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Murray County?
By population: Sulphur, Davis, Dougherty, Hickory. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Murray County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.