Minnesota

Murray

8,179
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Murray

Murray, Minnesota, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 29. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 8,179.

Its recorded population peaked at 15,060 in 1940, and has since declined by roughly 46 percent.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Massacre at Lake Shetek, Lake Shetek Massacre, Battle of Lone Tree Lake, and 8 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20208,179
20108,725
20009,165
19909,660
198011,507
197012,508
196014,743
195014,801
194015,060
193013,902
192013,631
191011,755
190011,911
18906,692
18803,604
1870209
186029
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Murray

Military engagements that took place in Murray, Minnesota.

Massacre at Lake Shetek
1862
Lake Shetek Massacre
1862
Battle of Lone Tree Lake
1862

Historic places in Murray

National Register of Historic Places listings in Murray, Minnesota.

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Currie
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Fulda
Dinehart-Holt House
Slayton
Browse all Minnesotahistoric sites ›

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Explore census history and historic records for more Minnesota counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Murray County, Minnesota

This page charts the census history of Murray County, Minnesota. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Murray

When does Murray first appear in the US census?
Murray, Minnesota first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 29.
What is the population of Murray?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Murray had a recorded population of 8,179.
When did Murray's population peak?
Murray's recorded population peaked at 15,060 in 1940.
Were any battles fought in Murray?
3 documented military engagements took place in Murray, including Massacre at Lake Shetek, Lake Shetek Massacre, Battle of Lone Tree Lake.
How many historic places are in Murray?
8 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Murray, Minnesota.
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