Murphy, Idaho
Murphy is an unincorporated census-designated place in Owyhee County, Idaho, United States. It is the county seat of Owyhee County,[1] It is one of the smallest county seats in the country. As of the 2010 census, its population was 97.[2][3]
Murphy, Idaho | |
|---|---|
  Murphy, Idaho Location within the state of Idaho | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| County | Owyhee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.839 sq mi (9.94 km2) |
| • Land | 3.839 sq mi (9.94 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,820 ft (860 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 97 |
| • Density | 25/sq mi (9.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes | 83650 |
| Area code(s) | 208 |
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.
Geography
Murphy is located at 43°13′06″N 116°33′08″W,[4] 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.[5]
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 80 | — | |
| 1910 | 102 | 27.5% | |
| 1920 | 150 | 47.1% | |
| 1930 | 75 | −50.0% | |
| 1950 | 50 | — | |
| 1960 | 50 | 0.0% | |
| 1970 | 100 | 100.0% | |
| 1980 | 150 | 50.0% | |
| 1990 | 150 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 97 | — | |
| source:[3][6] | |||
References
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- "American FactFinder". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- Spokesman-Review Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine - 2010 census - Murphy, Idaho - accessed 2011-12-12
- "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- AirNav.com - airport information - Murphy, Idaho - accessed 2011-12-12
- Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 96.
Other websites
- Owyhee County Historical Society - Museum & Library - Murphy, Idaho
- Untraveled Road.com - photo tour - Murphy, Idaho - 2008-06-13
- Weather.com - Murphy, Idaho - current conditions and forecast
