Murray

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Murray, Utah
Coordinates: 40°39′9″N 111°53′36″W / 40.6525°N 111.89333°W / 40.6525; -111.89333
Country	United States
State	Utah
County	Salt Lake
Government
- Mayor	Shaun W. Keith
Area
- Total	9.6 sq mi (24.9 km2)
- Land	9.6 sq mi (24.9 km2)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	4,301 ft (1,311 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	34,024
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
- Summer (DST)	MDT (UTC-6)
Area code(s)	385, 801
FIPS code	49-53230[1]
GNIS feature ID	1443742[2]
Website	www.murray.utah.gov

Murray is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 34,024 at the 2000 census.

History

The Mormon pioneers came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. A pioneer group called the Mississippi Saints arrived one year later and began to develop a scattered settlement in the south end of the valley in the fall of 1848. The area was distinguished by various names such as the Mississippi Ward, Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, and South Cottonwood. Written history states that at least 20 families were living in the South Cottonwood area in the 1860s. The area remained agricultural until 1869 when a body of ore was found in Park City and additional ore was found in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Because of its central location and access to the railroad, the first smelter was built in Murray in 1870 and Murray became the home of some of the largest smelters in the region over the next 30 years.

The first official post office was established in 1870 as the South Cottonwood Post Office. The area changed over time as the railroad came in, smelting expanded, the territorial road (later known as State Street) was established, and trolley transportation was developed. A business district also began to develop along the transportation corridor.

The City received its present name from the post office which officially changed its name from South Cottonwood Post Office to Murray Post Office in 1883 after the civil war general, Eli Murray. Eli Murray was a territorial governor of Utah from 1880 to 1886.

After a riot and fire started by a rowdy group of smelter workers in a local saloon, the fight for incorporation was begun by the local newspaper editor. The final incorporation committee drafted a petition in 1901 and created an intense campaign on both sides of the incorporation battle. The election took place on November 18, 1902. Those in favor won and C.L. Miller was elected as Mayor by three votes. Salt Lake County recognized the election results as official on November 25, 1902 and the City was officially recognized as a Third Class City by the State of Utah on January 3, 1903.

Notorious serial killer Ted Bundy lured Carol DaRonch into his car at the Fashion Place Mall in Murray on November 8, 1974. DaRonch fought Bundy, escaped from his car, and survived to testify against him in court.

Geography

Murray is located at 40°39′9″N 111°53′36″W / 40.6525°N 111.89333°W / 40.6525; -111.89333 (40.652397, -111.893229)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²), all of it land.

School district

The Murray City School District was created on January 1, 1906. It has ten schools: seven elementaries, two middle schools, (Riverview and Hillcrest), and one senior high school (Murray). An alternative high school, (Creekside) was closed in 2006. Murray High is a 5-A school in Utah's 5 Division high school sports leagues (1A being the smallest, and 5A being the largest). It was used in the High School Musical movie series for the Walt Disney Company.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 34,024 people, 12,673 households, and 8,719 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,542.3 people per square mile (1,367.0/km²). There were 13,327 housing units at an average density of 1,387.5/sq mi (535.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.56% White, 0.99% African American, 0.63% Native American, 1.83% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.49% of the population.

There were 12,673 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 13.3% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,569, and the median income for a family was $51,482. Males had a median income of $35,636 versus $25,713 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,094. About 5.5% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable Residents

• David Archuleta, American Idol Season 7 Runner-up
• Kevin Curtis, NFL football player
• Britton Johnsen, NBA basketball player
• Dan John, American Record Holder in Masters Weight Pentathlon, weightlifting and discus champion
• Ken Jennings, 72 consecutive wins and $2.52 million in Jeopardy
• Mark Koncar, NFL player for the Green Bay Packers and Houston Oilers

See also

• Desert Star Theater
• Intermountain Medical Center
• Utopia community FTTH program

Notes

External links

• Utah History Encyclopedia (Murray)
• Murray official website
• Murray School District Official Site

• Murray, Utah is at coordinates 40°39′09″N 111°53′36″W / 40.652397°N 111.893229°W / 40.652397; -111.893229 (Murray, Utah)Coordinates: 40°39′09″N 111°53′36″W / 40.652397°N 111.893229°W / 40.652397; -111.893229 (Murray, Utah)

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