As of the census of 2000, there were 14,950 people, 6,004 households, and 2,869 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,541.5 people per square mile (595.1/km²). There were 6,622 housing units at an average density of 682.8/sq mi (263.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.16% White, 6.80% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.75% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.
There were 6,004 households out of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.2% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.70.
The age distribution, which is strongly influenced by Murray State, is: 13.6% under the age of 18, 33.7% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,647, and the median income for a family was $41,331. Males had a median income of $30,266 versus $22,294 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,389. About 11.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
The city of Murray is host to several religious assemblies of various faiths. There are approximately 75 religious institutions within the city of Murray and surrounding area. Some of the denominations that make their home in Murray include, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Christian Science, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Non-Denominational. Baptist is by far the most prominent religion in Murray with over 25 Baptist churches within the Murray area.
Murray is easily accessed by several highways. The main highway in and out of the city is US 641. US 641 connects Murray to Interstate 40 in the south and Interstate 24 to the north. The four lane highway is heavily traveled and can see well over 25,000 cars per day in the stretch through Murray. Currently, US 641 from the south of Murray is a two lane highway until you reach the Tennessee state line. However, the state of Kentucky has made plans in its six-year highway plan to widen the highway to four lanes. The current two lane version has become too saturated due to the high number of citizens of Tennessee who come to Murray to trade to save on sales tax.
Kentucky 80 is the newest limited access highway that is nearing completion. The highway, when completed, will link Columbus, Kentucky to the Virginia border. A portion of the road will be connected with US 68, most notably through the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. The highway will also intersect with Interstate 24,Interstate 65, and Interstate 75. The highway is expected to be an economic boom to the Murray area by increasing tourism and industry.
Other road projects in Murray are to include the widening of Kentucky 121 through the city of Murray. Over 12,000 cars travel that stretch of road per day. There is also a downtown loop and four lane bypass in the works to help relieve traffic congestion within the city.
The airport in Murray is the Murray-Calloway County Airport. The airport, known as Kyle-Oakley Field, is a general aviation airport that features a 24-hour terminal and has a runway dimension of 6,200'x 100' and can handle up to a 60,000 lb (27,000 kg) dual-wheel aircraft. The call-sign for Kyle-Oakley Field is CEY.
The Murray Calloway Transit Authority provides the city of Murray and the surrounding area with transportation for those who do not have a vehicle. The transit authority offers medical, recreational, and educational transportation. MCTA has a pass system for frequent riders and a program to give transportation to those who are unable to pay.
The KWT Railway starts at one mile (1.6 km) north of Murray and travels south to Bruceton, Tennessee where it connects with CSX railway that travels to Memphis, Tennessee and beyond. Once a major railway between Nashville and St Louis, the railway has seen new life as a freight line. Webasto roof-systems is the largest user of the KWT, doing most of its shipping and receiving via the railway.
Electric service in the city of Murray is provided by the Murray Electric System. The electric system is locally owned and governed and gets all of its energy from the Tennessee Valley Authority. In turn, electric customers in Murray enjoy one of the lowest electric rates in the United States. The cost is around 7.2 cents per kilowatt hour. In recent years, MES has branched out into telecommunications. It offers internet service with speeds of up to 4 Mbit/s, home telephone service, and digital cable television service.
Natural gas and water service falls under the city of Murrays' Public Works department. The natural gas service has roughly 5,500 customers, in which 1.3 million cubic feet is used per year. The water system treats 1.3 billion gallons of water per year going through 105 miles (169 km) of water main piping. The current treatment plant was built in 1992 with a capacity of 7 million gallons per day. At current, the plant treats 3.6 million gallons per day. The Murray sewer treatment plant treats 4 million gallons of sewage per day and is connected with 122 miles (196 km) of sanitary sewer piping.
Murray boasts one of the lowest crime rates in Kentucky. The total crime risk index score for Murray is 54, which is 46 points below the national crime risk score of 100. "Homefair City Profile". http://www.homefair.com/find_a_place/cityprofile/results.asp?Zip=42071.