Laurel, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel, Nebraska had a total population of 1,018, the 117th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $58,519, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 38.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
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 | 947 | 1,018 | +7.5% |
| Median household income | $56,250 | $58,519 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $152,500 | $164,200 | +7.7% |
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 Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Cedar County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartington | 1,621 | $80,577 | 2.4% | $178,100 |
| Randolph | 877 | $84,531 | 6.5% | $119,000 |
| Coleridge | 553 | $46,818 | 13.4% | $87,100 |
| Wynot | 209 | $77,500 | 11.0% | $117,500 |
| Fordyce | 195 | $83,125 | 22.6% | $106,700 |
| Aten | 136 | N/A | 3.7% | N/A |
| Bow Valley | 106 | $86,250 | 0.0% | $170,800 |
| Belden | 101 | $70,625 | 11.9% | $107,500 |
| St. Helena | 97 | $85,625 | 4.1% | $156,700 |
| Magnet | 61 | $59,063 | 14.8% | $33,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe | 993 | $57,188 | $97,400 | 21.2% | 18.0% |
| Cairo | 1,035 | $54,511 | $193,000 | 19.7% | 10.0% |
| Stromsburg | 1,074 | $58,988 | $159,900 | 23.3% | 12.2% |
| Harvard | 1,008 | $66,000 | $102,100 | 13.1% | 7.3% |
| Cambridge | 1,082 | $61,528 | $123,400 | 32.5% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Laurel is a small community located in Nebraska, within Cedar County. The total population is 1,018. It ranks as the 117th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel is 38.5 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel is $58,519. This is 23% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $164,200. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Laurel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
38.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Laurel in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel, Nebraska 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 Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. 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, Nebraska?
Laurel, Nebraska has a population of 1,018 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel, NE?
The median household income in Laurel is $58,519, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel, NE?
The poverty rate in Laurel is 19.2%. This means approximately 192 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel, Nebraska?
Laurel's population is 83.9% White, 0.0% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel, NE?
The median home value in Laurel is $164,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Laurel, Nebraska?
38.3% of adults (25+) in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.