Laurel, NE

Nebraska

Laurel is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 947. Residents earn $56,250 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
947 Population 712/sq mi density
$56,250 Median Income $35,138 per capita
$152,500 Home Value $207,607 Zillow
$719 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$56,250 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,500 home value, $719/mo rent
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,250
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,500
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.8%
12% higher than US avg
Median Rent $719
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.0%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population947
Median Age42.1 yrs
Density712/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,250
Per Capita$35,138
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty9.0%
County GDP$562M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,500
Rent$719
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$207,607

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.0%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain27.5 in/yr
Elevation1,480 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.8%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 14%
Commute21 min
Libraries3

Is Laurel a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Laurel receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Laurel stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laurel is $56,250, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. 9.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laurel is $152,500, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $719 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Laurel experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.5 inches, including 32.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Laurel has a population of 947 with a density of 712 people per square mile. The median age is 42.1 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

947
Total Population
712
People / sq mi
42.1yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Laurel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Laurel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laurel is $56,250, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Laurel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,250
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,138
Avg Weekly Wage$857
IRS Avg AGI$77,007

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.0%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)342
County GDP$562M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare18
Retail52
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,860
18% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Laurel is $152,500, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $719 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $207,607.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,500
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$207,607

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$719
38% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,860
18% below US avg
Effective Rate1.88%
In Laurel, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.0% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.2%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression18.0%
Mental Distress15.1%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death5,345/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access53.9%
Healthcare Facilities18

Crime Rates: Laurel vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Laurel has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.5 inches
28% below US avg
Snowfall32.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,480 ft (451 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density712/sq mi
Coordinates42.4286°N, 97.0964°W
County FIPS31027
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 37.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 70-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.3%
D 14.3%

Winner: Republican by 70 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.8%
12% above US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.81
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density712/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants17
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Work from Home5.1%

Nearby Cities

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