Murphy ZIP Codes — Cherokee County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Murphy, North Carolina and it is 28906. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

333.37

sq mi land

11.13

sq mi water

828

area code

Murphy, NC ZIP code map

About Murphy, NC

Murphy, North Carolina, is a charming small town nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Known for its stunning natural beauty and welcoming community, Murphy offers a blend of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. The town serves as the county seat of Cherokee County and is steeped in rich history and tradition.

Location & geography

Murphy is located in southwestern North Carolina, near the borders of Georgia and Tennessee. It is approximately 30 miles from the cities of Blue Ridge, GA, and Andrews, NC, and about 40 miles from the larger city of Hayesville, NC. The total land area of Murphy covers 333.37 square miles, accompanied by 11.13 square miles of water, making it a region rich in both terrain and aquatic features.

Community & economy

The character of Murphy is defined by its friendly residents and vibrant local culture, making it a warmly inviting place for both locals and visitors. The community thrives on industries such as tourism, agriculture, and craft-making, which are supplemented by the breathtaking scenery that draws nature enthusiasts. Daily life in Murphy often revolves around local events, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community commitment.

Transportation

Murphy is accessible via U.S. Highway 64, which connects it with nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is the Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 100 miles away, offering additional travel options. Local transportation mainly relies on personal vehicles, with limited public transit services available.

History

Murphy was founded in 1835 and has played a significant role in the history of western North Carolina. The town historically served as a center for gold mining and later transitioned to a hub for agriculture and tourism. Notable events in Murphy’s past include its involvement in the region's early trade routes and the establishment of the Cherokee County courthouse.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Murphy is that it is home to the historical L&N Depot, which once served as a critical railroad hub for the region. Additionally, the town is known for hosting the annual Murphy Heritage Festival, celebrating its rich cultural roots.

ZIP codes for Murphy, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28906	Murphy	Cherokee	View map

Demographics & statistics

19,586

Population

56.2

Median age

$49,426

Median household income

$29,918

Per capita income

$201,100

Median home value

$813

Median monthly rent

82.6%

Home ownership

13.6%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

11,392

Housing units

23.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

292

Under 5

287

368

5–9

362

403

10–14

398

468

15–19

461

463

20–24

456

796

25–34

785

783

35–44

772

1,252

45–54

1,234

744

55–59

734

959

60–64

945

2,084

65–74

2,055

1,047

75–84

1,033

204

85+

201

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,706	13.8%
18 and over	16,880	86.2%
65 and over	6,624	33.8%
Median age	56.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.4%

Two or more races 3.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

Black or African American 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Other race 0.7%

Asian 0.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	18,384	92.4%
Two or more races	635	3.2%
Hispanic or Latino	309	1.6%
Black or African American	190	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	164	0.8%
Other race	142	0.7%
Asian	56	0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	15	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.3%

$10k–$15k 7.3%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 10.9%

$35k–$50k 16.3%

$50k–$75k 18.0%

$75k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 11.3%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 3.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.3%
$10k–$15k	7.3%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	10.9%
$35k–$50k	16.3%
$50k–$75k	18.0%
$75k–$100k	13.8%
$100k–$150k	11.3%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	3.4%
Median income	$49,426

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.1%

$50k–$100k 12.3%

$100k–$150k 10.7%

$150k–$200k 20.5%

$200k–$300k 28.0%

$300k–$500k 19.3%

$500k–$1M 2.9%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$201,100
Median rent / month	$813
Owner occupied	82.6%
Renter occupied	17.4%
Vacant	31.1%
Single-family detached	80.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.2%
Mobile homes	15.4%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.22

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	11.4%
2000–2009	26.6%
1990–1999	19.0%
1980–1989	19.8%
1970–1979	9.4%
1960–1969	5.9%
1950–1959	3.6%
1940–1949	1.6%
1939 or earlier	2.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.1%
1 bedroom	5.1%
2 bedrooms	41.0%
3 bedrooms	40.0%
4 bedrooms	11.3%
5+ bedrooms	1.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.9%
1 vehicle	35.8%
2 vehicles	35.6%
3 or more	23.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.0%
Electricity	66.2%
Propane / LP gas	20.9%
Fuel oil	3.3%
Wood	6.4%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,755	53.3%
Cohabiting couple	295	3.3%
Male householder, no spouse	1,762	19.8%
Female householder, no spouse	2,101	23.6%
Households with children under 18	1,342	15.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,358	48.9%
Average household size	2.16

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	20.4%	15.3%
Married	60.1%	57.7%
Separated	2.3%	2.5%
Widowed	4.0%	12.5%
Divorced	13.2%	12.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.3%

Some HS, no diploma 5.6%

HS graduate 32.3%

Some college, no degree 24.7%

Associate's degree 11.9%

Bachelor's degree 15.1%

Graduate / professional 8.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.1%
Bachelor's or higher	23.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	140	5.0%
Kindergarten	226	8.1%
Elementary school	1,110	39.7%
High school	878	31.4%
College / grad school	439	15.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.3%

Retail trade 18.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.7%

Construction 10.7%

Manufacturing 9.5%

Finance & real estate 8.4%

Professional & management 7.4%

Other services 4.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.9%

Public administration 2.1%

Information 1.5%

Agriculture & mining 1.3%

Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.7%
Service	17.9%
Sales & office	28.2%
Natural resources & construction	13.4%
Production & transportation	9.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.9%
Government	9.7%
Self-employed	9.1%
Unpaid family workers	1.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.5%
Carpool	8.8%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	2.4%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.5

Poverty

All people 13.6%

Under 18 years 13.8%

18 and over 13.6%

Married-couple families 6.9%

Female-led households 35.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	54.5%
Retirement income	27.3%
Supplemental Security	4.8%
Cash public assistance	0.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.4%
High cholesterol	39.6%
Heart disease	9.1%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	32.1%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	9.4%
Cancer	8.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.4%
No physical activity	24.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.8%
Fair or poor health	16.0%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	12.5%
No health insurance	16.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.6%
Visited dentist	63.4%
Cholesterol screening	91.5%
Teeth loss	14.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,312	13.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.9%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	13.2%
65 and over	33.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	53.5%
Public insurance	51.3%
Uninsured under 19	10.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	19,007	97.0%
Spanish	58	0.3%
Other Indo-European	28	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.0%
Other languages	25	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	19,314	98.6%
Born in same state	19,096	97.5%
Born in different state	6,281	32.1%
Foreign born	218	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	272	1.4%
Not a US citizen	208	76.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,418	17.5%
Arab	3,121	15.9%
Italian	2,286	11.7%
English	289	1.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	135	0.7%
German	39	0.2%
Irish	30	0.2%
Dutch	18	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.5%
Internet access	93.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Murphy, NC have?

Murphy, NC has one ZIP code: 28906. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.