Connecting people through nature and our waterways

Murray

City Size: 12.3 square miles [01]
Population Count (2020): 50,983

Creeks: Big Cottonwood Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek
Total Stream Length: 7.0 miles [02]
Buried: 0.4 miles [03]
Impaired: 6.6 miles [04]

Diversity Index (2020)*: 34 [05]
Housing Affordability Index (2020)**: 121 [06]

 

Murray is situated at the center of Salt Lake County. Its size in population and space, as well as its diversity and affordability fall within the middle when comparing all eight cities [01].

The City developed from an early colonial agricultural community known as South Cottonwood, which saw explosive growth when the first smelter was built in 1870. Subsequently, additional heavy industry came in. Named after the former territorial governor, Eli Murray, the City was incorporated after a contentious campaign started during a scuffle in a local saloon.

Murray features natural stretches of Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Creeks and regional parks, such as Murray Park and Wheeler Historic Farm, with various amenities from an arboretum and amphitheater to sports fields and a working farm.

 Opportunity Areas

Opportunity Areas
17. Ivy Place Shopping Village
17. Ivy Place Shopping Village

Create a trail connection along Big Cottonwood Creek, transform abandoned parking lots into green space, restore riparian habitat, create a floodplain, and add a seasonal boat ramp.

Category: 100-Year
City: Murray
Creek: Big Cottonwood

18. State St to Jordan River Trail
18. State St to Jordan River Trail

Create a trail connection along Big Cottonwood Creek, add seasonal boat ramps, create a floodplain in open lots, and restore riparian habitat.

Category: 10-Year
City: Millcreek & Murray
Creek: Big Cottonwood

20. Fort Union to Wheeler Farm
20. Fort Union to Wheeler Farm

Create a trail connection along Little Cottonwood Creek (over Interstate-215), daylight the creek, and implement green infrastructure to improve water quality and connect communities.

Category: 100-Year
City: Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, & Murray
Creek: Little Cottonwood

21. Murray Park to Jordan River Trail
21. Murray Park to Jordan River Trail

Create a trail connection along Little Cottonwood Creek, add seasonal boat ramps, restore riparian habitat, and create a floodplain in parks and redevelopment areas.

Category: 100-Year
City: Murray
Creek: Little Cottonwood

Asset 12-100.jpg

Sources

  1. Esri, Forecasts for 2020 and 2025 with converted Census 2000 data into 2010 geography (2021).

  2. Salt Lake County, Stream Care Guide (2014).

  3. Seven Canyons Trust, Creek Channel Alignment Data (2018).

  4. Utah Division of Water Quality, Beneficial Uses and Water Quality Assessment Map (2016).

*Likelihood two persons chosen at random belong to different race or ethnic groups, ranging from 0 (no diversity) to 100 (complete diversity).

**Ratio of median household income to median home value. A value of 100 means a typical family has exactly enough income to quality for a mortgage on a typical home. Above 100, the typical family earns more than enough and, below 100, they do not earn enough.