Population 8,416 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Laurel
Household size in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.03 | 2.40 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.10 | 2.42 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.07 | 2.53 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.91 | 2.35 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.12 | −0.04 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Laurel is a place of small households, averaging 1.91 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.03 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 25 of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.7 | 48.6 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 58.1 | 49.9 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 55.3 | 51.4 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 64.9 | 52.0 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +3.4 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Laurel skews older: half of its residents are older than 64.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 59.7 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.3% | 9.4% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 8.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 7.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.0% of households in Laurel, well below the national share of 11.6%. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 25 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Laurel
Renters in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.4% | 24.0% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.0% | 27.8% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 26.0% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 24.4% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +0.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.6% of households in Laurel rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About two-thirds of owners (67.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the northeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.8 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0% | 21.0% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.7% | 20.3% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.4% | 20.2% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.1% | 16.8% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.9 pts | −4.1 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.1% of the housing in Laurel, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 8.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1985 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1986 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1987 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1993 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +8 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Laurel was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in the wider Sarasota area, where the median home dates to 1993. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $787 | $1,142 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,084 | $1,131 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,303 | $1,399 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,911 | $1,992 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,124 | +$850 | +$724 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Laurel costs $1,911 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,124 a month from 2006–10, a 143% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 34.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Laurel
Bachelor's degrees in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.7% | 27.4% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.4% | 29.2% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.7% | 32.4% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 41.1% | 39.7% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.4 pts | +12.4 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Laurel than nationally: 41.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 14.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.0% | 88.4% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.3% | 89.8% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.9% | 91.2% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.6% | 93.1% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Laurel: 97.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 7.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Sarasota area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.7% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 5.1% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.8% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −4.8 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Laurel has been strong: just 1.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 7.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Laurel compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel | 1.91 | 64.9 | 4.0% | 13.6% | 17.1% | 1978 | $1,911 | 41.1% | 97.6% | 1.8% |
| Nokomis | 2.02 | 62.3 | 3.4% | 10.7% | 11.8% | 2001 | $1,907 | 49.6% | 97.6% | 5.0% |
| Osprey | 2.04 | 65.3 | 2.3% | 12.9% | 22.5% | 1994 | $2,363 | 57.7% | 97.5% | 3.3% |
| Venice Gardens | 2.16 | 56.1 | 5.3% | 13.9% | 13.9% | 1974 | $1,834 | 33.6% | 93.8% | 4.6% |
| Venice | 1.91 | 66.6 | 4.0% | 14.9% | 22.7% | 1996 | $2,041 | 44.7% | 95.9% | 3.4% |
| South Venice | 2.25 | 52.9 | 4.6% | 20.0% | 14.2% | 1987 | $1,896 | 27.6% | 93.5% | 5.3% |
| Gulf Gate Estates | 1.90 | 56.4 | 6.2% | 49.6% | 13.0% | 1978 | $2,007 | 31.7% | 93.7% | 4.6% |
| Bee Ridge | 2.18 | 51.4 | 4.5% | 21.7% | 7.8% | 1987 | $2,053 | 43.2% | 95.2% | 1.1% |
| Siesta Key | 1.91 | 66.3 | 4.7% | 8.6% | 50.6% | 1975 | $2,950 | 67.4% | 97.0% | 3.0% |
| South Sarasota | 2.26 | 56.1 | 4.6% | 23.2% | 16.6% | 1975 | $1,715 | 54.3% | 95.3% | 5.1% |
| Manasota | 1.83 | 72.4 | 2.0% | 6.5% | 17.6% | 2007 | $1,765 | 39.4% | 98.4% | 8.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Seven Points, TX · Laughlin, NV · Laurel Hill, VA · Lawrence, NY · Lebanon, KY · Lebanon, NH · Ledyard, CT · Savoy, IL · Sayre, PA · Scottdale, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Laurel. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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