At a Glance
Median Income
$44,593
$19,301 per capita
Home Value
$192,700
Zillow: $313,675
Median Rent
$924/mo
36.9% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,497/100K
3,039/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
6.8%
66.5% high school+
Unemployment
12.1%
36.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.3%
18.9% smoking rate
How Laurel Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Laurel's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Laurel a Good Place to Live?
C
2.1 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Laurel residents earn a median household income of $44,593 , which is 41% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $19,301. The unemployment rate stands at 12.1% (236% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 36.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 11,171 business establishments, including 688 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Laurel is $192,700 , 32% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $313,675. Median rent is $924/month, with 36.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 99.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.
Safety & Crime
Laurel reports 1,497 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 294% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 3,039/100K.
Education
6.8% of adults in Laurel hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(80% below the national average).
66.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Laurel has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C).
Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Data Overview
People
Population4,043
Median Age30.0 yrs
Density1,460/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born23.8%
Veterans6.6%
Economy
D
Median Income$44,593
Per Capita$19,301
Unemployment12.1%
Poverty36.8%
County GDP$23,356M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,059
Housing
A
Home Value$192,700
Rent$924
Ownership36.1%
Zillow$313,675
Housing Units1,471
Rent Burden36.9%
Crime
F
Violent1,497/100K
Property3,039/100K
Health
Obesity40.3%
Diabetes13.1%
Smoking18.9%
Heart Disease6.5%
Premature Death9,330/100K
Climate
Avg Temp58°F
Rain43.9 in/yr
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation36 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+6.8%
High School+66.5%
Graduate+1.1%
School Score5.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute30 min
Broadband92.3%
Internet Speed132 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries15
Did You Know?
The median home in Laurel was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (16 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.457 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
14.5% of the population has a disability.
23.8% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 132 Mbps.
There are 688 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 42 fatal vehicle crashes.