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Murphys

city

Murphys is an unincorporated village nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County, California. Originally a bustling gold mining settlement, today it's known for its charming Main Street lined with wine tasting rooms and surrounded by local vineyards. As of 2024, the population is estimated to be around 1,951. Tourism and agriculture, particularly wine production, drive Murphys' economy. The town's historic Main Street features numerous shops, restaurants, and lodging options, attracting visitors year-round. Nearby attractions such as Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Mercer Caverns, and Ironstone Vineyards provide additional recreational and economic opportunities. Murphys distinguishes itself through its rich Gold Rush history, well-preserved 19th-century architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The town hosts annual events like the Irish Day parade, drawing large crowds. Its location in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills, coupled with a mild climate, makes it a desirable destination for both tourists and residents.

Murphys, California

Overview

Classification: CDP
FIPS Code: 06-50034
Country: United States
County: Calaveras

Geography

Region: Sierra Nevada Foothills
Elevation: 2,172 ft
Total Area: 4.23 sq mi
Land Area: 4.23 sq mi
Water Area: 0.004 sq mi
Latitude: 38.133
Longitude: -120.467
Climate: Warm to very hot, dry summers with average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). Mild winters with occasional light snowfall.
Notable Features: Calaveras Big Trees State Park · Mercer Caverns · Sierra Nevada Mountains
Neighboring Areas: Vallecito · Forest Meadows · Angels Camp · Avery · Mountain Ranch

Demographics

Population (2020): 1,995
Est. Population (2024): 1,951
Median Age: 64.6
Median Income: $73,571
Poverty Rate: 9.99%
Owner-Occupied: 71.5%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: The racial makeup of Murphys is 87.3% White, 9.2% Hispanic, 3.5% Multiracial.

Governance

School District: Vallecito Union School District and Bret Harte Union High School District

U.S. Congress

Gallagher, James

Gallagher, JamesR

U.S. Representative - District 1

Huffman, Jared

Huffman, JaredD

U.S. Representative - District 2

Kiley, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 3

Thompson, Mike

Thompson, MikeD

U.S. Representative - District 4

McClintock, Tom

McClintock, TomR

U.S. Representative - District 5

Bera, Ami

U.S. Representative - District 6

Matsui, Doris O.

Matsui, Doris O.D

U.S. Representative - District 7

Garamendi, John

Garamendi, JohnD

U.S. Representative - District 8

Harder, Josh

U.S. Representative - District 9

DeSaulnier, Mark

DeSaulnier, MarkD

U.S. Representative - District 10

Pelosi, Nancy

U.S. Representative - District 11

Simon, Lateefah

Simon, LateefahD

U.S. Representative - District 12

Mullin, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 15

Liccardo, Sam T.

Liccardo, Sam T.D

U.S. Representative - District 16

Khanna, Ro

U.S. Representative - District 17

Lofgren, Zoe

U.S. Representative - District 18

Panetta, Jimmy

Panetta, JimmyD

U.S. Representative - District 19

Fong, Vince

U.S. Representative - District 20

Costa, Jim

U.S. Representative - District 21

Valadao, David G.

Valadao, David G.R

U.S. Representative - District 22

Obernolte, Jay

Obernolte, JayR

U.S. Representative - District 23

Carbajal, Salud O.

Carbajal, Salud O.D

U.S. Representative - District 24

Ruiz, Raul

U.S. Representative - District 25

Brownley, Julia

Brownley, JuliaD

U.S. Representative - District 26

Whitesides, George

Whitesides, GeorgeD

U.S. Representative - District 27

Chu, Judy

U.S. Representative - District 28

Rivas, Luz M.

U.S. Representative - District 29

Friedman, Laura

Friedman, LauraD

U.S. Representative - District 30

Cisneros, Gilbert Ray

Cisneros, Gilbert RayD

U.S. Representative - District 31

Sherman, Brad

U.S. Representative - District 32

Aguilar, Pete

U.S. Representative - District 33

Gomez, Jimmy

U.S. Representative - District 34

Torres, Norma J.

Torres, Norma J.D

U.S. Representative - District 35

Lieu, Ted

U.S. Representative - District 36

Kamlager-Dove, Sydney

Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD

U.S. Representative - District 37

Sánchez, Linda T.

Sánchez, Linda T.D

U.S. Representative - District 38

Takano, Mark

U.S. Representative - District 39

Kim, Young

U.S. Representative - District 40

Calvert, Ken

U.S. Representative - District 41

Garcia, Robert

Garcia, RobertD

U.S. Representative - District 42

Waters, Maxine

Waters, MaxineD

U.S. Representative - District 43

Barragán, Nanette Diaz

Barragán, Nanette DiazD

U.S. Representative - District 44

Tran, Derek

U.S. Representative - District 45

Correa, J. Luis

Correa, J. LuisD

U.S. Representative - District 46

Min, Dave

U.S. Representative - District 47

Issa, Darrell

U.S. Representative - District 48

Levin, Mike

U.S. Representative - District 49

Peters, Scott H.

Peters, Scott H.D

U.S. Representative - District 50

Jacobs, Sara

U.S. Representative - District 51

Vargas, Juan

U.S. Representative - District 52

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Economic Profile: Tourism · Wine Production · Residential
Employment Sectors: Tourism · Agriculture · Retail

Education

School Districts: Vallecito Union School District · Bret Harte Union High School District · Calaveras Unified School District

Infrastructure

Transportation: State Route 4 · Highway 4 Corridor

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Calaveras Big Trees State Park · Mercer Caverns · Murphys Community Park
Parks & Trails: Murphys Park · Arnold Rim Trail

History

Founded: 1848
Named After: John and Daniel Murphy
Historical Significance: A significant Gold Rush town that retains its historic character and serves as a gateway to the Sierra Nevada
Key Events: Founded as a Gold Rush trading post and mining camp · Became a major supply center for miners in Calaveras County · Destroyed by fires in 1859, 1874, and 1893 · Transitioned to a tourist destination known for wineries and historic charm