Murray County, GA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Murray County

Murray County Schools serves a mid-sized student population from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across a small cluster of northeast Georgia towns. The district encompasses multiple elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, along with an innovative school serving students across grade bands.

Academic performance in Murray County reflects consistent challenges across tested subjects. In English language arts, proficiency rates range from low levels in the primary grades (third and fourth grade students show particularly weak results) to somewhat higher performance by fifth and sixth grade, then declining again through eighth grade. Mathematics proficiency is similarly stretched, with fifth grade showing particular weakness and seventh grade among the lowest points across all tested grades. Science performance sits modestly above ELA in most measured grades, while eighth-grade social studies proficiency remains below midpoint. The pattern suggests the district is working with students who enter below grade-level expectations and face deepening gaps as they advance, a trajectory many districts encounter when serving economically stretched communities.

The district's student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population that reflects broader demographic shifts in the rural North Georgia region. The overall enrollment spans all grade levels fairly evenly, with slightly larger cohorts in the middle and high school years. Free-and-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, but housing values and economic indicators suggest a working-to-middle-class community. Median home values in the district's service area are modest relative to state benchmarks, and median household income locally tracks near national figures. Unemployment in Murray County hovers at moderate levels, and the local economy remains tied to historic carpet manufacturing alongside agriculture and small business.

The district has invested in long-term capital planning. Voters approved a five-year sales tax continuation in 2023 that is funding a new gymnasium and full renovation of Murray County High School, an addition to Northwest Elementary, upgrades to athletic facilities at North Murray High, and renovation of the old agricultural building, work that is now underway. In 2025, the board rolled back the education portion of the property tax rate for the first time in more than two decades, a modest relief for property owners made possible by growth in the county's tax digest. These moves signal a district making deliberate choices about its fiscal trajectory and capital needs while managing the tax burden on residents.

The comparison data set was too small to position Murray County against other districts in the county; the district is the primary district serving its area. State testing results were available only for specific grades and subjects, so a full picture of high school performance and earlier elementary proficiency cannot be drawn from the data provided. Graduation rate and chronic absenteeism data were not available. A parent seeking to understand this district's fit would benefit from speaking directly with schools about interventions in place for early-grade literacy and numeracy, as well as course offerings and support structures at the high school level.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

6,758

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 27%

Black 1%

White 70%

Asian 0%

Two+ 2%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

Schools in this District

11 schools are officially reported under this district.

Coker Elementary School

Murray County High School

Spring Place Elementary School

Chatsworth Elementary School

Northwest Elementary School

Gladden Middle School

Bagley Middle School

Eton Elementary School

Woodlawn Elementary School

Pleasant Valley Innovative School

North Murray High School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

43%

Grade 3

47%

Grade 4

40%

Grade 5

42%

Grade 6

37%

Grade 7

44%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

27%

Grade 3

26%

Grade 4

41%

Grade 5

41%

Grade 6

36%

Grade 7

35%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

48%

Grade 5

40%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

35%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$235,815

Year-over-year change-0.0%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$164K to $255K

vs. state typical0.71x

vs. national typical0.64x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
30705	Chatsworth	$248K	+0.3%	70.6%
30711	Crandall	$223K	-1.1%	14.3%
30708	Crandall	$164K	-2.7%	10.2%
30735	Industrial	$255K	+3.2%	3.2%
30721	Dalton	$235K	+3.3%	1.6%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,190/mo

Home price / national median income2.8x

Comparison

State typical home value$333,559 (-1.2% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.