South Laurel, MD

Maryland · Metropolitan Area

South Laurel is a small city in Maryland with a population of 27,736. Residents earn $90,715 per year, which is 21% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
27,736 Population 3,437/sq mi density
$90,715 Median Income $43,540 per capita
$443,100 Home Value
$1,795 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$90,715 median income, 5.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$443,100 home value, $1,795/mo rent
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $90,715
21% higher than US avg
Home Value $443,100
57% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.2%
22% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,795
54% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

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

People

Population27,736
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density3,437/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 14%

Economy

A
Median Income$90,715
Per Capita$43,540
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$37,130M
Commute32 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$443,100
Rent$1,795
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression15.4%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain47.5 in/yr
Elevation166 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.2%
High School+90.7%
School Score5.85

Community

2024 VoteR 27% / D 69%
Commute32 min
Libraries7

Is South Laurel a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Laurel receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, high obesity rates. South 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 South Laurel is $90,715, 21% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Laurel is $443,100, making it a premium housing market at 57% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,795 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

South Laurel enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

South Laurel has a population of 27,736 with a density of 3,437 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (59.2%), with 14.1% White, 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

27,736
Total Population
3,437
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
8.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

South Laurel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only69.7%
11% below US avg
Spanish30.3%
126% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Laurel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Laurel is $90,715, which is 21% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: South Laurel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$90,715
21% above US avg
Per Capita Income$43,540
Avg Weekly Wage$1,672
IRS Avg AGI$131,728

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,342
County GDP$37,130M

Business (County)

Restaurants703
Healthcare1,202
Retail822
Manufacturing168

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,202
134% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.4 min
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in South Laurel is $443,100, 57% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,795 (54% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$443,100
57% above US avg
Median List Price$496,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$496,500
$/Sq Ft$273
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio106.9%
Price Drops12.9%
Inventory31

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,795
54% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,312
1 Bedroom$1,400
2 Bedrooms$1,648
3 Bedrooms$2,123
4 Bedrooms$2,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,202
134% above US avg
Effective Rate1.85%
In South Laurel, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 15.4% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes12.8%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma11.4%
COPD4.9%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.8%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression15.4%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Checkup Rate77.2%
Premature Death4,573/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access98.1%
Healthcare Facilities1,202

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29

Safety Score

South Laurel has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.1°F
6% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.5 inches
25% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation166 ft (51 m)
Area8.1 sq mi (20.9 km²)
Population Density3,437/sq mi
Coordinates39.0615°N, 76.8462°W
County FIPS24027
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 41.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 41.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 27.4%
D 69.1%

Winner: Democrat by 41.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.2%
22% above US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score5.85
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,437/sq mi
Total Area8.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities1,202
Restaurants703
Retail Stores822

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.4 min
Work from Home11.9%

Nearby Cities

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