Population 27,019 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Laurel
Household size in South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.63 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.68 | 2.82 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.80 | 2.86 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.63 | 2.77 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | +0.04 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.63 people per household, South Laurel sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is smaller than in the Washington area overall, where it has 2.77 people. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.5 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.0 | 37.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.7 | 38.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.7 | 39.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
South Laurel is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.7, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 32.5 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the south.
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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.3% | 11.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.5% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in South Laurel (17.4%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. South Laurel has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Maryland cities.
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 South Laurel
Renters in South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.8% | 34.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 61.6% | 36.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.3% | 36.8% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 64.1% | 36.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in South Laurel: 64.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 36.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.3 points, mirroring the country. Of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people, only six have a higher share of renters.
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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 6.6% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 5.9% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in South Laurel than nationally: 5.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The Washington area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy is down 4.8 points from 2006–10, as it has 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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1977 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1978 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in South Laurel was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in the wider Washington area, where the median home dates to 1982. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the east has the oldest housing.
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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,279 | $1,470 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,326 | $1,583 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,544 | $1,907 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,858 | $2,236 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$579 | +$766 | +$620 | +$606 |
Rent in South Laurel runs $1,858 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the Washington area overall ($2,236). Rents are up $579 a month from 2006–10, a 45% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 South Laurel
Bachelor's degrees in South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.7% | 46.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.1% | 48.2% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 51.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 37.5% | 53.9% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in South Laurel (37.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the wider Washington area (53.9%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 1.9 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.9% | 89.4% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.9% | 90.2% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.0% | 90.8% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.5% | 91.2% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in South Laurel have finished high school as nationally: 89.5%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Washington area as a whole (91.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 0.6 points, a smaller shift than 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 South Laurel
| Period | South Laurel | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 6.9% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in South Laurel runs well above the national rate: 8.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only 17 of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
South 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Laurel | 2.63 | 37.7 | 17.4% | 64.1% | 5.8% | 1977 | $1,858 | 37.5% | 89.5% | 8.3% |
| Laurel | 2.64 | 38.1 | 11.4% | 43.8% | 5.7% | 1984 | $2,032 | 48.7% | 89.9% | 3.9% |
| Maryland City | 2.65 | 35.9 | 13.8% | 39.9% | 4.7% | 1985 | $2,358 | 41.5% | 91.4% | 4.7% |
| Beltsville | 3.19 | 41.0 | 15.6% | 40.1% | 4.8% | 1981 | $2,075 | 38.6% | 81.3% | 6.0% |
| Scaggsville | 3.09 | 38.7 | 9.8% | 31.1% | 3.6% | 1992 | $2,418 | 56.1% | 90.2% | 2.1% |
| Burtonsville | 3.21 | 40.9 | 15.4% | 25.5% | 2.9% | 1984 | $2,330 | 47.3% | 88.6% | 6.1% |
| Greenbelt | 2.52 | 37.9 | 21.0% | 53.9% | 5.7% | 1977 | $1,855 | 41.7% | 87.7% | 6.5% |
| Savage | 2.39 | 33.1 | 3.1% | 59.8% | 2.8% | 1970 | $2,029 | 47.2% | 87.5% | 6.6% |
| Annapolis Junction | 2.64 | 30.5 | 13.5% | 49.3% | 3.0% | 2003 | $2,202 | 49.2% | 95.8% | 4.2% |
| Patuxent | 4.03 | 30.2 | 17.1% | 2.6% | 3.7% | 2004 | $1,787 | 74.1% | 98.6% | 6.3% |
| Calverton | 2.82 | 50.4 | 10.9% | 34.8% | 6.2% | 1991 | $2,444 | 53.0% | 89.9% | 5.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Mason City, IA · Hastings, MN · Hatillo, PR · Homewood, AL · Horn Lake, MS · Hudson, WI · Jeffersontown, KY · Kihei, HI · Lapeer, MI · Haslet, TX
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 South 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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