Population 38,069 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Laurel
Household size in Laurel
| Period | Laurel | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.66 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.69 | 2.67 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.69 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.64 | 2.57 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.09 | −0.03 |
At 2.64 people per household, Laurel sits close to the national average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.60, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the south.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.2 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.4 | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.9 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.6 | 39.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Laurel is 37.6 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 37.2, a smaller shift than nationally. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the east.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 15.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.9% | 14.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 14.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in six households in Laurel (15.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of Mississippi. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 0.7 points, even as the national share fell.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 29.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.5% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.9% | 31.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
About three in ten households in Laurel rent their homes (29.8%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About six in ten owners (58.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southeast. The renter share is down 1.7 points from 2006–10, 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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 16.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 14.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Laurel: 13.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1984 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Laurel are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1979, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in Mississippi as a whole, where the median home dates to 1987. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $620 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $622 | $758 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $665 | $819 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $831 | $1,018 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$211 | +$315 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Laurel costs $831 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $211 a month from 2006–10, a 34% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.1% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are in the west.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 20.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 21.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.9% | 22.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.9% | 25.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Laurel: 19.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.1 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the south.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.2% | 80.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.1% | 82.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.6% | 84.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.8% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Laurel is close to the national rate: 87.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.6 points, as it has nationally.
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 | Mississippi | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 5.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Laurel is close to the national rate: 5.0% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in Mississippi overall (5.8%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.6 points, mirroring the country.
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 | 2.64 | 37.6 | 15.6% | 29.8% | 13.1% | 1979 | $831 | 19.9% | 87.8% | 5.0% |
| Pendorff | 2.71 | 38.4 | 19.1% | 29.7% | 12.2% | 1983 | $993 | 24.5% | 92.3% | 1.2% |
| Pecan Grove | 2.37 | 48.4 | 9.6% | 20.3% | 14.3% | 1986 | $639 | 17.1% | 90.2% | 0.0% |
| Sandersville | 2.54 | 44.4 | 16.6% | 11.1% | 15.5% | 1989 | $747 | 9.3% | 86.1% | 2.0% |
| Soso | 2.69 | 40.6 | 14.4% | 13.5% | 9.9% | 1985 | $863 | 25.6% | 84.9% | 3.1% |
| Gitano | 2.51 | 43.7 | 18.0% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 1987 | $855 | 21.8% | 84.1% | 3.4% |
| Stringer | 2.56 | 42.4 | 4.0% | 13.7% | 20.4% | 1989 | $822 | 14.5% | 93.9% | 4.6% |
| Heidelberg | 2.51 | 40.8 | 14.9% | 18.5% | 14.9% | 1992 | $856 | 8.0% | 86.1% | 2.0% |
| Summerland | 1.94 | 47.0 | 31.6% | 1.5% | 5.6% | 1997 | $776 | 10.0% | 89.0% | 3.6% |
| Eucutta | 2.77 | 35.7 | 16.8% | 6.5% | 21.4% | 1989 | $873 | 9.0% | 86.1% | 0.8% |
| Oak Bowery | 2.49 | 45.4 | 14.1% | 7.4% | 19.2% | 1992 | $775 | 21.5% | 89.9% | 0.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Bangor, ME · Belton, TX · Cullman, AL · College Park, MD · Copperas Cove, TX · Portage, IN · San Juan, TX · Port Huron, MI · Plainfield, IN · Phoenixville, 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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