Laurel, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel, Montana had a total population of 7,215, the 17th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $68,474, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
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 | 7,198 | 7,215 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $66,382 | $68,474 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $232,700 | $235,100 | +1.0% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Yellowstone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 119,434 | $73,712 | 9.8% | $343,400 |
| Lockwood | 7,181 | $75,700 | 10.7% | $235,400 |
| Huntley | 455 | $94,821 | 0.0% | $233,600 |
| Worden | 416 | N/A | 3.1% | N/A |
| Shepherd | 353 | $80,125 | 4.8% | $114,400 |
| Ballantine | 262 | N/A | 0.0% | $284,000 |
| Custer | 199 | $82,500 | 20.1% | $137,500 |
| Broadview | 175 | $78,438 | 8.0% | $165,600 |
| Acton | 87 | $36,042 | 40.2% | N/A |
| Nibbe | 62 | N/A | 24.2% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockwood | 7,181 | $75,700 | $235,400 | 15.4% | 10.7% |
| Miles City | 8,407 | $67,727 | $200,200 | 25.4% | 11.4% |
| Sidney | 6,171 | $62,538 | $236,900 | 22.0% | 7.7% |
| Livingston | 8,780 | $65,861 | $392,400 | 38.6% | 13.7% |
| Whitefish | 8,749 | $73,811 | $684,300 | 56.8% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Laurel is a small city located in Montana, within Yellowstone County. The total population is 7,215. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel is 37.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel is $68,474. This is 6% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $235,100. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.2% vs 4.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.1% vs 0.8%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel, Montana 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 Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. 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, Montana?
Laurel, Montana has a population of 7,215 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel, MT?
The median household income in Laurel is $68,474, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel, MT?
The poverty rate in Laurel is 10.0%. This means approximately 715 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel, Montana?
Laurel's population is 82.8% White, 0.4% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel, MT?
The median home value in Laurel is $235,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Laurel, Montana?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.