Murrieta is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California. As of the 2020 census, the population of Murrieta was 115,811, making it the largest city in southwestern Riverside County.
Population
The population of Murrieta has grown rapidly in recent decades. In 1980, the population was just 2,200. By 1990 it had grown to 24,000 and by 2000 to 44,000. The latest census in 2020 recorded a population of 115,811, making Murrieta the 101st largest city in California.
Murrieta is considered part of the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Other major cities in the Inland Empire include Riverside, San Bernardino, and Temecula. Many residents of Murrieta commute to jobs in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.
Economy and Major Employers
The economy of Murrieta is diverse, with jobs spread across many sectors. According to the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce, the major private employers in the city are:
- Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta
- Abbott Vascular
- Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers
- Walmart
- Southwest Healthcare System
Other major employers include the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, City of Murrieta government, Southwest Riverside County Transportation Commission, and Target. Many residents also work for companies located in neighboring cities.
The median household income in Murrieta is $96,856, which is higher than the national median of $62,843. The major industries providing jobs in Murrieta are healthcare, retail trade, construction, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing.
For more information on the economy and employers in Murrieta, check out the Economic Development page on the City of Murrieta website.
Things to Do
Murrieta and the surrounding area offer many fun activities and attractions for visitors and residents:
- Wine tasting – Murrieta is located in the Temecula Valley American Viticultural Area, with over 40 wineries open for tastings and tours.
- Hot air ballooning – See spectacular views of Murrieta from up above on an early morning hot air balloon ride.
- Santa Rosa Plateau – Hike or bike the trails on this scenic plateau managed by The Nature Conservancy.
- Golfing – Play on one of Murrieta’s several highly-rated golf courses.
- Historic Downtown Murrieta – Explore antique shops, restaurants, and special events in the historic downtown district.
- California Oaks Sports Park – Enjoy baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and football at this huge regional park.
The Visit Murrieta site run by the Murrieta Tourism Bureau has a full listing of attractions, events, and things to do in Murrieta.
History
The Murrieta area was originally inhabited by the Luiseño indigenous people. In 1873, the Temecula Land Grant of 33,000 acres was purchased by a group of settlers and investors. They established a new town called Murrieta, named for one of the original settlers Juan Murrieta. Murrieta incorporated as a city in 1991.
Today, Murrieta retains a unique small town feel while also offering all the amenities of a modern city. The historic downtown district features charming early 20th century architecture and a nostalgic atmosphere.
City Government
Murrieta has a council-manager form of government. The city council consists of five members elected to four-year terms. The mayor is not directly elected, but chosen among city council members. The current mayor of Murrieta is Lisa Decker.
The city government provides a full range of municipal services including police, fire, community development, parks and recreation, and general administrative services. Visit the City of Murrieta website to learn more and access city resources.
Demographics
According to 2019 census estimates, the racial and ethnic breakdown of Murrieta is:
- 72.5% White
- 5.2% Asian
- 4.8% African American
- 0.3% Native American
- 0.1% Pacific Islander
- 3.0% Other
- 14.0% Two or More Races
- 38.8% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
The median age in Murrieta is 34.6 years old. 24.5% of the population is under age 18 and 13.1% is age 65 or older.
Housing
The majority of housing in Murrieta consists of single family homes, but there are also townhomes, condominiums, and apartments available. Housing prices have risen sharply in recent years along with much of Southern California. The median home value in Murrieta is currently $469,400. Murrieta offers a high quality of life and excellent schools, which contributes to demand for housing.
Education
Public education in Murrieta is provided by the Murrieta Valley Unified School District. The district operates 16 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 4 high schools. Two of the high schools, Murrieta Valley High School and Vista Murrieta High School, offer prestigious International Baccalaureate programs. sup>
For higher education, nearby options include Mt. San Jacinto College, Cal State San Marcos, UC Riverside, and several community colleges. The University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University are about an hour drive from Murrieta.
Sports
As a growing and family-oriented community, Murrieta offers facilities for youth and adult recreational sports of all kinds. The crown jewel is the California Oaks Sports Park, one of the premier youth sports venues in the region. The Rancho Vista Football Complex is home to local high school and youth football programs.
For fans of professional sports, teams from Los Angeles and San Diego are within reasonable driving distance. The closest major sports franchises are the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.
Check the Murrieta Recreation Guide for listings of adult and youth recreational sports leagues, classes, and facilities in Murrieta.
Healthcare
Murrieta’s major hospitals are Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta and Southwest Healthcare System. The Loma Linda hospital is a highly-ranked regional medical center with the latest technology and over 300 beds. Southwest Healthcare System operates Rancho Springs Medical Center and Inland Valley Medical Center in Murrieta.
For primary and specialty care, Murrieta has dozens of private practices, medical groups, and clinics. The area also attracts many specialists and surgeons who find the community an attractive place to establish their practices.
Media
The main local newspaper in Murrieta is The Valley News, published by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Another print and online source for community news is the Murrieta Patch.
Murrieta residents can receive Los Angeles and San Diego TV stations along with other cable/satellite channels. Local radio stations include KSDI-FM and KATY-FM.
Utilities
Electricity in Murrieta is provided by Southern California Edison. The Southern California Gas Company is the natural gas utility. Water, sewer, and trash collection are handled by the City’s Public Works department.
High-speed internet is available from major providers like Spectrum, Frontier, and AT&T. Options for cable TV, home phone, and bundled service are also available.
Transportation
Murrieta is located along Interstate 15, the primary north-south highway in Southern California. Interstate 215 also runs through the eastern part of the city. This provides convenient access and reasonable commute times to San Diego, Temecula, Oceanside, Escondido, Corona, and other cities.
For air travel, the closest major international airport is San Diego International Airport, about 45 miles south. Ontario International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport are both under 100 miles away.
Public transportation is provided by the Riverside Transit Agency with bus routes throughout Murrieta and connecting service to Temecula, Wildomar, Menifee and other nearby cities.
Follow the latest news and events happening in Murrieta by liking the City of Murrieta Facebook page. With over 35,000 followers, it’s a great way to stay informed and connected to the community.