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19. Murray Trail Exhibits (Murray, Iowa) on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail (2004)Photo: NPS Staff (Photo Credit: NPS) · Public domain
Town Hall · Murray

Murray spent more per resident in 2022 than 86% of similar cities

Murray’s city government spent $981,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,441 per resident. Water and other utilities ($132,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Iowa.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$981,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,441
In 2022: $1,441, more than 86% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
$2.3M
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
10
full-time · 1 part-time · March payroll $54,864
Typical tax bill
$1,631
2.02% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Murray is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,441 per resident, more than 86% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer28% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,631 a year: 2.02% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$1,441 per resident in 2022: more than 86% of them

Murray’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,441 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $900, and the middle half spent $632–$1,186. Murray spent more than 86% of them.

Middle half of the group, $632–$1,186Median $900Murray

Includes sewer and trash ($183,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
802

Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Murray itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,441 per resident a year, or $3.95 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 45%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 30%Property taxes 19%Fees & charges 18%Utility sales 17%Sales taxes 11%Other taxes & licenses 3%From other local governments 1%Interest, fines & other 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $154,000; interest on debt $63,000; payments to other governments $36,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.4 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Murray reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,631 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.02% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Murray$1,631
$1,631
typical bill a year
2.02%
effective rate
$80,800
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Murray’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Murray’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Murray →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Murray

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Murray’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Murray yet.
Who works for Murray

One full-time city employee for every 68 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (681).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Parks & libraries2 + 1 pt
Administration & buildings2
Roads & transportation2
Sewer & trash2
Water & other utilities2
10
full-time
1
part-time
$54,864
payroll for March 2022
$658,368
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$64,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Murray had 14.7 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 648 of the 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 2.8: Murray had more than 96% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Murray Community School District

Murray’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Murray →
$12,009
per pupil · IA $13,713
317
students
$920,000
long-term debt

Of the $12,009 per pupil, $7,363 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 46%State 43%Federal 11%

Iowa districts overall: 43% local, 49% state, 8% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Murray’s votes are counted by county

Iowa reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Murray alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Clarke County’s results.

President · Clarke County’s results4,459 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican70.4%3,140 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat28.4%1,265 votes

Others: 1.2% (54 votes).

Most votes in Clarke County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

100% of Murray lies in Clarke County. Every 2024 race in Clarke County is on the county’s page.

Clarke County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Murray

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Murray.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Bubba Sorensen
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Amy Sinclair
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Kim Reynolds
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Zachary Nunn
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Iowa
    Chuck GrassleyJoni Ernst

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Murray’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Murray’s government

How much does Murray spend per resident?

About $1,441 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,441 was more than 86% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Murray?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,631 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.02% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Murray’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Murray yet.

How did Murray vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Murray alone. Clarke County, where 100% of Murray lies, voted Trump 70.4%, Harris 28.4% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Murray?

10 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $54,864 (about $658,368 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Murray in the state legislature?

State Senate District 12 (Amy Sinclair) and State House District 23 (Bubba Sorensen). The House district also covers 21 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Murray’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →