As of the census of 2010, there were 2,153 people, 946 households, and 566 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 1,048 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population. There were 946 households of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couplesliving together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age in the city was 43.5 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.6% were from 45 to 64; and 26.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,072 people, 914 households, and 556 families living in the city. The population density was 1,163.3 people per square mile. There were 1,022 housing units at an average density of 573.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.03% White, 0.14% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.39% Asian, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population. There were 914 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.81. In the city, the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 29.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $36,500, and the median income for a family was $43,935. Males had a median income of $30,444 versus $19,830 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,395. About 4.5% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Slayton is the home of Murray County Central School District. It is one of only two school districts left in the county. The school has an average of 60 students per grade. Chandler-Lake Wilson High school closed before the turn of the 21st century and joined with Slayton. Students attend MCC from area communities including: Avoca, Chandler, Currie, Iona, and Lake Wilson. Jacob Scandrett is the Principal of the high school, and Joe Meyer is the Superintendent. Murray County Central's marching band is an award-winning band that competes in multiple competitions throughout the Midwest. They have marched in five states in the past ten years, including Minnesota, South Dakota, Florida, Illinois, and Missouri. In 2009 the band traveled to Orlando, Florida and marched in the famous Disney World Parade. In 2010 they placed first at the Tri-State Band Festival held in Luverne, Minnesota. Since 2009, the band has ranked in the top two at the festival. In addition, the Marching Rebels received a second place win at the Festival of Bands Competition in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ranking as the highest placing public school in Class A competition. They are under the direction of Michael Helgeson.
