Laurel, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel, Delaware had a total population of 4,152, the 24th largest town in Delaware, with a median household income of $48,644, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.0% is notably above the national average.
Laurel Quick Facts
How Laurel Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,043 | 4,152 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $44,593 | $48,644 | +9.1% |
| Median home value | $192,700 | $230,300 | +19.5% |
How Laurel Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in Sussex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 12,803 | $59,464 | 17.2% | $296,900 |
| Seaford | 8,485 | $54,016 | 18.8% | $224,300 |
| Georgetown | 7,660 | $49,719 | 16.8% | $281,400 |
| Millsboro | 7,424 | $78,707 | 8.3% | $332,600 |
| Milton | 3,567 | $80,875 | 5.5% | $407,000 |
| Lewes | 3,505 | $96,393 | 7.9% | $826,100 |
| Selbyville | 3,097 | $75,592 | 4.3% | $432,900 |
| Ocean View | 2,851 | $91,500 | 9.8% | $514,200 |
| Bridgeville | 2,745 | $64,879 | 13.4% | $400,900 |
| Millville | 2,430 | $99,776 | 5.8% | $494,500 |
Cities Similar to Laurel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | 4,106 | $63,267 | $300,100 | 40.4% | 5.3% |
| Harrington | 3,838 | $72,679 | $221,900 | 27.9% | 6.9% |
| Milton | 3,567 | $80,875 | $407,000 | 40.7% | 5.5% |
| Clayton | 4,222 | $107,307 | $361,300 | 32.1% | 5.3% |
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,163 | $113,529 | $389,900 | 36.2% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Laurel is a small community located in Delaware, within Sussex County. The total population is 4,152. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel is 33.0 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 41.6 years. With 29.7% of the population under 18, Laurel has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel is $48,644. This is 43% lower than the state median of $84,954. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.6%. This is 233% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 16.0%. This is 212% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $230,300. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 39.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Laurel is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.1% vs 21.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.7% vs 11.1%).
Education
4.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 35.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel, Delaware is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Delaware state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 79 Census-designated places in Delaware. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laurel, Delaware?
Laurel, Delaware has a population of 4,152 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel, DE?
The median household income in Laurel is $48,644, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel, DE?
The poverty rate in Laurel is 34.6%. This means approximately 1,437 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel, Delaware?
Laurel's population is 31.2% White, 34.1% Black, 32.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel, DE?
The median home value in Laurel is $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Laurel, Delaware?
4.6% of adults (25+) in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.