Laurel city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Laurel city, Mississippi has a total population of 17,129, the 24th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $37,781, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Laurel city Quick Facts
How Laurel city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel city Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Cities Similar to Laurel city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksdale city | 14,423 | $35,210 | $84,200 | 18.8% | 40.2% |
| Corinth city | 14,450 | $41,243 | $164,200 | 25.9% | 21.4% |
| Natchez city | 14,207 | $35,613 | $114,100 | 25.9% | 33.1% |
| Greenwood city | 13,983 | $34,659 | $98,500 | 23.5% | 28.0% |
| Vicksburg city | 20,944 | $42,484 | $117,000 | 23.9% | 27.9% |
Population Overview
Laurel city is a small city located in Mississippi. The total population is 17,129. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel city is 35.6 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel city is $37,781. This is 31% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.6%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. 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 5.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $110,200. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Laurel city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 69.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurel city is Black or African American, making up 64.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (64.7% vs 36.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (6.7% vs 3.6%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laurel city, Mississippi?
Laurel city, Mississippi has a population of 17,129 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel city, MS?
The median household income in Laurel city is $37,781, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel city, MS?
The poverty rate in Laurel city is 31.6%. This means approximately 5,290 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel city, Mississippi?
Laurel city's population is 28.1% White, 64.7% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel city, MS?
The median home value in Laurel city is $110,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Laurel city, Mississippi?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Laurel city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.