Laurel, New York Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Laurel is a small community located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 1,360. It ranks as the 759th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.

Age Demographics

The median age in Laurel is 56.7 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 4.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Laurel is $138,726. This is 61% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 72% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $870,800. Housing costs are 105% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 84.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 56% higher than the state average of 54.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Laurel has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.4%.

Education

43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%. Notably, 16.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Laurel, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.