# Murray County, Minnesota *County in Minnesota, United States* Murray County is one of the counties of [[Minnesota]]. Its seat is Slayton, and the 2020 census recorded a population of 8,179.[^1] The county was carved out of Brown County on May 23, 1857, but it was not organized until June 17, 1872, when Currie became its first seat. A county vote moved the seat to Slayton effective June 1, 1889.[^2] The county's high point, 1,920 feet above sea level, is on Buffalo Ridge, which carries the divide between the Mississippi and Missouri watersheds through the western part of the county.[^3] Between the 2000 and 2020 censuses the recorded population fell from 9,165 to 8,179.[^4][^5] ## History Murray County is the product of a chain of partitions. In 1853 the [[Minnesota Territory]] legislature formed Blue Earth County out of unorganized Dakota Territory lands. In 1855 part of western Blue Earth was split off as Brown County. On May 23, 1857, part of Brown became Murray County, which remained unorganized for the time being.[^2] County government began on June 17, 1872. Currie, which was founded that same year, was designated the county seat.[^2] The county's name honors William Pitt Murray (1825–1910), who was active in Minnesota's civic and political affairs in its early years.[^2] Center township was also platted in 1872. It was named for its location in the middle of the county. The settlement grew quickly, and its residents pressed for the county seat to be relocated there. The town took the name Slayton in 1882, and after a countywide vote the seat moved to Slayton effective June 1, 1889.[^2] Minnesota's recorded history includes two F-5 tornadoes, and both are tied to Murray County. The first was the Tracy Tornado of June 13, 1968, which formed in Murray County and moved north into Lyon County. The second was the Chandler–Lake Wilson Tornado of June 16, 1992.[^2] ## Geography The county's terrain is made up of low rolling hills with scattered lakes and ponds, and all usable land is farmed. The land falls toward the south and east.[^3] The highest ground is on Buffalo Ridge, a promontory about two miles long on the crest of the Coteau des Prairies in central Chanarambie Township. The ridge stands a few hundred feet above the neighboring valleys, and its high point is 1,920 feet above sea level.[^3] The divide between the Mississippi and Missouri watersheds follows Buffalo Ridge through the county's west, near Chandler.[^3] Of the county's 720 square miles, 705 are land and 15 (2.1%) are water.[^3] Protected areas include Lake Shetek State Park and a number of state wildlife management areas, among them Badger Lake, Great Oasis and Lowville.[^3] The county borders six counties:[^3] - Lyon County to the north - Redwood County to the northeast - Cottonwood County to the east - Nobles County to the south - Rock County to the southwest - Pipestone County to the west The main roads are U.S. Highway 59 and Minnesota State Highways 30, 62, 91 and 267. Slayton Municipal Airport (DVP) lies southwest of Slayton.[^3] ## Demographics The 2020 census counted 8,179 residents, with a median age of 47.4 years.[^4] - **Age:** 21.7% of residents were under 18, and 26.2% were 65 or older. - **Sex:** there were 100.6 males for every 100 females, and 101.2 males for every 100 females age 18 and over.[^4] The census reported the racial makeup as follows:[^4] - 92.6% White - 1.3% Asian - 0.3% Black or African American - 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native - less than 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander - 2.4% some other race - 3.1% two or more races Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 4.7% of the population. Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[^4] The county had 3,581 households, of which 24.2% had children under 18. Married couples made up 54.1% of households, and 30.7% consisted of individuals.[^4] Of the 4,388 housing units, 18.4% were vacant. Among occupied units, 81.8% were owner-occupied and 18.2% were rented.[^4] The 2000 census counted 9,165 people, 3,722 households and 2,601 families, a density of 13 people per square mile. There were 4,357 housing units that year.[^5] The 2020 population was 986 lower than the 2000 figure.[^4][^5] ## Communities The county contains nine cities: Avoca, Chandler, Currie, Dovray, Fulda, Hadley, Iona, Lake Wilson and Slayton, which is the county seat.[^6] The Lakes is a census-designated place. The unincorporated communities are Current Lake, Lime Creek, Lowville, Owanka and Wirock.[^6] The townships are Belfast, Bondin, Cameron, Chanarambie, Des Moines River, Dovray, Ellsborough, Fenton, Holly, Iona, Lake Sarah, Leeds, Lime Lake, Lowville, Mason, Moulton, Murray, Shetek, Skandia and Slayton.[^6] ## Government and politics From 1964 to 2008, the county voted with the national presidential winner in every election except 1988. That year, during the farm crisis, it backed Michael Dukakis.[^7] Since 2016 the county has shifted heavily toward Republican candidates. As of 2020, it had chosen the [[Republican Party (United States)]] nominee in 60% of presidential elections since 1980.[^7] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, lead (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — county status, county seat and 2020 population. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — partitions, organization, naming, county-seat change and F-5 tornadoes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — terrain, area, Buffalo Ridge, watershed divide, protected areas, adjacent counties, highways and airport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, Demographics section, 2020 census subsection (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2020 population, age, sex, race, households and housing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, Demographics section, 2000 census subsection (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2000 population, households, families, density and housing units. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — cities, census-designated place, unincorporated communities and townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Murray County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (revision 1375467375, retrieved 2026-10-25) — presidential voting record since 1964 and 1980. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_County,_Minnesota