Murphy, Idaho

Murphy is an unincorporated census-designated place in Owyhee County, Idaho, United States. It is the county seat of Owyhee County,[3] It is one of the smallest county seats in the country. As of the 2020 census, its population was 96.[4][5]

Coordinates: Coordinates: 43°13′06″N 116°33′08″W / 43.21833°N 116.55222°W / 43.21833; -116.55222
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
CountyOwyhee
Area
 • Total4.00 sq mi (10.35 km2)
 • Land4.00 sq mi (10.35 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
2,820 ft (860 m)
Population
 • Total96
 • Density24.00/sq mi (9.28/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes
83650

History

Murphy was formed around a railhead (end of the rail line) of the "Boise, Nampa and Owyhee Railroad" built in 1899. The town became the county seat in 1934. The railroad operated until 1947.

The town was named after Cornelius "Con" Murphy, a crew boss with the railroad.

 
View looking northwest from Murphy airport towards Route 78

Geography

Murphy is located at 43°13′06″N 116°33′08″W / 43.21833°N 116.55222°W / 43.21833; -116.55222,[6] at an elevation of 2,820 feet (860 m) above sea level; it is 25 miles (40 km) south of Nampa.

Airstrip

Murphy's airstrip is located northeast of the town. It does not have a control tower. Its paved runway is 2,500 feet (760 m) long.[7]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
190080
191010227.5%
192015047.1%
193075−50.0%
195050
1960500.0%
1970100100.0%
198015050.0%
19901500.0%
201097
source:[5][8]

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  2. "Murphy CDP, Idaho". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. "American FactFinder". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Spokesman-Review Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine - 2010 census - Murphy, Idaho - accessed 2011-12-12
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. AirNav.com - airport information - Murphy, Idaho - accessed 2011-12-12
  8. Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 96.

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