Laurel, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel, Indiana had a total population of 444, the 530th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $27,692, which is 62% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 62% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 474 | 444 | -6.3% |
| Median household income | $24,663 | $27,692 | +12.3% |
| Median home value | $76,100 | $72,900 | -4.2% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookville | 2,643 | $55,938 | 8.7% | $180,700 |
| Oldenburg | 770 | $79,583 | 18.6% | $276,100 |
| Metamora | 491 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| New Trenton | 290 | $36,818 | 0.0% | $152,800 |
| Cedar Grove | 252 | $65,938 | 10.3% | $158,800 |
| Mount Carmel | 60 | $63,500 | 6.7% | $131,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owensburg | 447 | N/A | $325,000 | 10.3% | 11.0% |
| Ramsey | 439 | N/A | $206,700 | 27.6% | 11.8% |
| Prairieton | 475 | N/A | $367,700 | 0.0% | 18.1% |
| Philadelphia | 431 | $24,873 | $214,500 | 41.6% | 11.4% |
| Metamora | 491 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 444, Laurel's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Laurel is a small community located in Indiana, within Franklin County. The total population is 444. It ranks as the 530th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel is 36.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel is $27,692. This is 62% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.4%. This is 187% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 6.2%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $72,900. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Laurel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Laurel has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents.
Education
2.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 90% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 72.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. 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, Indiana?
Laurel, Indiana has a population of 444 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel, IN?
The median household income in Laurel is $27,692, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel, IN?
The poverty rate in Laurel is 35.4%. This means approximately 157 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel, Indiana?
Laurel's population is 94.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel, IN?
The median home value in Laurel is $72,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Laurel, Indiana?
2.9% of adults (25+) in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.