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Laurel, IA

Iowa

Laurel is a small town in Iowa with a population of 221. Residents earn $59,167 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
221 Population 884/sq mi density
$59,167 Median Income $32,933 per capita
$104,300 Home Value $253,919 Zillow
$713 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$59,167 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,300 home value, $713/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,167
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,300
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.9%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $713
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.3%
1% lower than US avg

How Laurel Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population221
Median Age51.1 yrs
Density884/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans8.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,167
Per Capita$32,933
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$1,654M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,300
Rent$713
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$253,919
Housing Units124
Rent Burden17.5%

Health

Obesity40.8%
Uninsured5.4%
Smoking13.2%
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.2 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,041 ft (317 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.9%
High School+93.4%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute30 min
Broadband97.0%
Libraries3

Is Laurel a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Laurel receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Laurel offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laurel is $59,167, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laurel is $104,300, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $713 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Laurel experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches, including 31.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Laurel has a population of 221 with a density of 884 people per square mile. The median age is 51.1 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

221
Total Population
884
People / sq mi
51.1yrs
Median Age
31% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.4%
Female 41.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Laurel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Laurel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laurel is $59,167, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Laurel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,167
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,933
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108
IRS Avg AGI$77,315

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.3%
1% below US avg
Establishments (County)699
County GDP$1,654M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare62
Retail80
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,683
34% above US avg
Cost of Living87.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.49%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.0 min
Drive Alone77.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Laurel is $104,300, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $713 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $253,919.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,300
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$253,919

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$713
39% below US avg
Rent Burden17.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.6%
Housing Units124
Median Year Built1946

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,683
34% above US avg
Effective Rate4.49%
In Laurel, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 5.4% of residents lack health insurance. 13.2% are current smokers. 21.4% report depression. 19.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Laurel vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma9.6%
COPD4.9%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.2%
6% below US avg
Binge Drinking25.0%
Physical Inactivity19.9%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress10.8%
Short Sleep32.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Uninsured5.4%
37% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,162
Dentists1:1,679
Mental Health1:595
Checkup Rate76.8%
Dental Visits72.6%
Premature Death6,568/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access70.8%
Healthcare Facilities62
Laurel has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.2 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall31.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,041 ft (317 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density884/sq mi
Coordinates41.8840°N, 92.9223°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19157
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17-point margin. 97.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.8%
D 40.8%

Winner: Republican by 17 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.9%
71% below US avg
High School+93.4%
Graduate Degree+1.9%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density884/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access97.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities62
Restaurants47
Retail Stores80

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.0 min
Drive Alone77.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

Marshalltown, IA 27,491 pop · 10.4 mi Baxter, IA 1,251 pop · 12.5 mi Newton, IA 15,696 pop · 14.3 mi Grinnell, IA 9,527 pop · 14.5 mi State Center, IA 1,548 pop · 15.4 mi Tama, IA 3,079 pop · 18.8 mi Toledo, IA 2,079 pop · 19.0 mi Colfax, IA 2,089 pop · 21.5 mi Sully, IA 1,092 pop · 21.5 mi Conrad, IA 1,170 pop · 23.6 mi Prairie City, IA 1,649 pop · 25.8 mi Brooklyn, IA 1,565 pop · 26.7 mi Monroe, IA 2,074 pop · 26.9 mi Mitchellville, IA 2,557 pop · 27.3 mi
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