Home to several large rural estates and acres of forests, Murphy is a small neighborhood with spacious lots next to Blacksburg Municipal Park. Though it’s near student housing, the neighborhood is primarily made up of single-family homes, and the houses feature large floorplans and wooded lots “What you see a lot around here is that students will go to Virginia Tech, and then they’ll stay in the area after graduation. They get married, raise a family here,” says Darin Greear, a Realtor with Long and Foster Real Estate, who’s a lifelong resident of the New River Valley. “Then, back wherever they came from, their mom and dad will move down here to retire so they can be close to their kids and grandkids.” Murphy is a little less than 2 miles from downtown Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech campus, making it convenient for college students or anyone who works in the center of town.
Murphy is surrounded by scenic natural beauty, with parks and green spaces nearby.
The streets of Murphy are lined with trees, offering a scenic view during all seasons.
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Countryside homes on spacious hillside lots
Brick and vinyl Colonial Revivals and modern traditional homes line the hillside streets of Murphy. Lush landscaping and towering trees give the area a secluded, private feel, and some homes have horseshoe driveways, while others feature spacious two-car garages or carports. Streets end in quiet cul-de-sacs, which helps keep traffic slow. These three- to five-bedroom homes can be found at prices between $350,000 and $700,000. Just off Georgia Street, high atop a hill, there is a small collection of large estates set far away from the road. With winding drives and views of the surrounding area’s forested hills, many cost between $800,000 and $1.5 million.
Murphy’s tree-lined streets and well-kept homes add to its charm and appeal.
The Murphy neighborhood in Blacksburg is known for its peaceful residential setting.
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Blacksburg Municipal Park and the Huckleberry Trail
Located right on the edge of Murphy is Blacksburg Municipal Park. “Our Municipal Park is our central park, in that anyone can access it. It’s on the bus line, which stops at the bottom of the park,” says Dean Crane, the director of parks and recreation in Blacksburg, who has been working in the area for over 34 years. “Blacksburg has over 1,000 acres of parkland, and our park system has 34 different parks... nearly all of our municipal parks are connected by some manner of greenway, sidewalks, or bike paths.” Blacksburg Municipal Park includes the area’s community center, an aquatic facility, a skate park, nine picnic shelters, a tree nursery and a disc golf course. It also has three playgrounds and a space to play live music. The tennis courts and softball field make for lively league nights or weekend hangouts, and the park’s open field can be used for many different activities. Avid golfers can head to the Blacksburg Municipal Golf Course, also known as The Hill Golf Course.
Residents of Murphy enjoy easy access to local parks and recreational areas.
The neighborhood of Murphy is close to several hiking trails, perfect for nature lovers.
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Highly-rated Blacksburg grade schools and Virginia Tech
Murphy’s grade school students are often zoned to start at Harding Avenue Elementary School, which is graded an A and is considered the No. 2 best public elementary school in Montgomery County on Niche. They would then attend Blacksburg Middle School, which is graded a B-plus, and then Blacksburg High School, which is graded an A-plus. Virginia Tech is the crown jewel of Blacksburg and is a highly-regarded research university. From football games to cultural events, the student experience touches on all aspects of living in Blacksburg. “Virginia Tech is our industry. We don’t have a tire plant, car dealers or Wall Street. We have students,” Crane says.
Blacksburg High School is known for its strong academic reputation and diverse programs.
Many Virginia Tech students choose to live in Murphy due to its quiet, residential atmosphere.
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The Blacksburg Farmers Market and local festivals
Residents often spend their weekends at the Blacksburg Farmers Market, which is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from April through October and then on Saturdays only through December. The market features several annual events, such as art shows, craft fairs and tastings. The city’s Steppin’ Out event is a street fair with vendors selling their many crafts and handmade creations. In December, Blacksburg hosts a Christmas parade, but in April, shoppers can check out the Vintage Market, where vendors resell their vintage items, such as books, clothing or accessories.
Murphy offers a quiet suburban feel, yet is just minutes away from downtown amenities.
Murphy is known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming neighbors.
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Drives in Blacksburg and commutes to Christiansburg
Biking or even walking into town is possible via paved trails, or it’s a 2-mile drive down Main Street to reach Hokies football games or a night on the town. Traveling to Christiansburg is an 11-mile drive south down Route 460. The Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport is right in Blacksburg but predominantly serves private planes and offers flying lessons. For commercial flights, Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport is about 40 miles northeast of Blacksburg. Blacksburg transit bus stops can be found on North Main Street.
Murphy’s location provides easy access to major highways for convenient travel.
Many residents in Murphy appreciate the neighborhood’s walkability and quiet streets.
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Student nightlife mingles with Blacksburg local hotspots
Only about 2 miles north of downtown Blacksburg, Murphy residents have access to all the dozens of shops, restaurants and bars that the city has to offer. Hamro Kitchen has a unique Nepalese menu, while Twisted Liquid offers fine dining and complex cocktails. For those who enjoy a long-time local staple, Benny Marzano’s is a counter-style pizza joint serving giant New York-style slices. Gillie’s Inc has vegetarian meals and is a popular brunch spot. Fast grocery trips can be made at the nearby Food Lion on Main Street, or folks can drive south to the Eats Natural Food store for organic or vegan options.
Murphy is just minutes away from Virginia Tech, making it ideal for students and staff.
Many restaurants near Murphy serve both casual and fine dining experiences.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field)
61 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Murphy
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Murphy Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Murphy, Blacksburg sell after 8 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Murphy, Blacksburg over the last 12 months is $524,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$509,450
Median Sale Price
$524,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$524,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$200
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
121
Median Year Built
1974
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,360
Above the national average
1,931
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
23,740
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Anne Collins Albimino,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
322
Median Age
27
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$49,166
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,508
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.8%
College Graduates
86.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
45.6%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
53.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
23/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
