Laurel, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel, Maryland had a total population of 29,798, the 44th largest city in Maryland, with a median household income of $100,504, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 29,594 | 29,798 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $94,063 | $100,504 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $367,300 | $385,500 | +5.0% |
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: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Prince George's County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie | 57,926 | $141,995 | 3.8% | $459,300 |
| Clinton | 38,376 | $124,803 | 7.7% | $431,400 |
| Chillum | 34,871 | $79,864 | 12.4% | $393,600 |
| College Park | 34,540 | $69,721 | 33.2% | $437,900 |
| South Laurel | 29,272 | $88,933 | 11.8% | $458,100 |
| Fort Washington | 25,134 | $143,333 | 5.3% | $480,100 |
| Greenbelt | 24,678 | $85,997 | 19.1% | $255,400 |
| Landover | 24,514 | $72,100 | 19.5% | $313,900 |
| Suitland | 23,793 | $71,585 | 13.5% | $334,800 |
| Camp Springs | 22,544 | $120,456 | 7.2% | $415,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Hall | 29,105 | $106,244 | $349,600 | 42.1% | 6.8% |
| South Laurel | 29,272 | $88,933 | $458,100 | 40.3% | 11.8% |
| Pikesville | 33,524 | $98,465 | $434,500 | 60.0% | 7.8% |
| Fairland | 26,231 | $98,800 | $477,300 | 46.4% | 10.4% |
| Carney | 28,343 | $83,620 | $319,700 | 40.3% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Laurel is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Prince George's County. The total population is 29,798. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel is 36.3 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel is $100,504. This is 3% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 24% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $385,500. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 44.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurel is Black or African American, making up 52.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.1%) is well below the state average of 46.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (52.3% vs 28.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.2% vs 12.5%).
Education
47.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.3%. Notably, 24.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Maryland city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laurel, Maryland?
Laurel, Maryland has a population of 29,798 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel, MD?
The median household income in Laurel is $100,504, which is 24% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel, MD?
The poverty rate in Laurel is 9.0%. This means approximately 2,649 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel, Maryland?
Laurel's population is 12.1% White, 52.3% Black, 22.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel, MD?
The median home value in Laurel is $385,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Laurel, Maryland?
47.6% of adults (25+) in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.