Laurel, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel, Mississippi had a total population of 17,679, the 24th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $47,661, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
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 | 17,129 | 17,679 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $37,781 | $47,661 | +26.2% |
| Median home value | $110,200 | $125,800 | +14.2% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Jones County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellisville | 4,521 | $32,100 | 22.9% | $99,500 |
| Sharon | 1,910 | $102,188 | 18.0% | N/A |
| Soso | 431 | $51,250 | 7.3% | $148,800 |
| Sandersville | 413 | $52,667 | 24.7% | $95,000 |
| Ovett | 333 | $121,336 | 0.0% | $194,000 |
| Moselle | 89 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicksburg | 20,589 | $45,781 | $125,900 | 27.1% | 26.8% |
| Gautier | 19,046 | $61,926 | $166,400 | 21.9% | 17.5% |
| Long Beach | 17,009 | $70,332 | $215,200 | 35.6% | 11.5% |
| Corinth | 14,323 | $44,226 | $177,100 | 25.1% | 18.7% |
| Pascagoula | 21,710 | $52,222 | $144,700 | 21.8% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Laurel is a small city located in Mississippi, within Jones County. The total population is 17,679. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel is 35.1 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel is $47,661. This is 16% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 5.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $125,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Laurel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurel is Black or African American, making up 61.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.4% vs 36.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.1% vs 3.7%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. 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, Mississippi?
Laurel, Mississippi has a population of 17,679 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel, MS?
The median household income in Laurel is $47,661, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel, MS?
The poverty rate in Laurel is 23.3%. This means approximately 4,046 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel, Mississippi?
Laurel's population is 28.7% White, 61.4% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel, MS?
The median home value in Laurel is $125,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Laurel, Mississippi?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.