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Population Review

Laurel, Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Laurel, Virginia is 18,180 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 71st-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $69,932, the median home value is $272,300, and the median age is 34.9.

18,180

Population

3374

People / sq mi

$69,932

Median Income

$272,300

Median Home Value

Laurel covers 5.4 sq mi of land at 3374 people per square mile.

About Laurel, VA

Laurel is a city in Virginia with a population of 18,180. It ranks #71 among cities in Virginia by population. The median age is 34.9, younger than the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

The median household income in Laurel is $69,932, below the US median of $74,580. 3.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $272,300, with monthly rent averaging $1,497. The homeownership rate of 50.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Laurel reflects 27.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 13.7% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.8 minutes each way.

Race & Ethnicity

White43.5%
Black or African American30.8%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.1%
Two or More Races0.1%

Economy & Income

$69,932

Median Household Income

$37,153

Per Capita Income

3.6%

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$272,300

Median Home Value

$1,497

Median Rent

50.9%

Owner-Occupied

Education

88.5%

High School+

27.4%

Bachelor's+

Commute

1.0%

Drive Alone

73.4%

Public Transit

13.7%

Work From Home

20.8 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

24.2%

Foreign Born

76.1%

Non-English at Home

4.0%

Veterans

11.1%

With Disability

88.0%

Health Insurance

96.8%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management18.8%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate11.3%
Information11.2%
Education, Health Care & Social Services10.1%
Public Administration7.5%
Construction6.7%
Manufacturing6.4%
Retail Trade5.8%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services3.1%
Transportation & Warehousing1.4%
Agriculture & Mining0.4%

Largest cities in Virginia

Largest counties in Virginia

Part of Virginia

Metro areas in Virginia

City rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Laurel, Virginia has a population of 18,180 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 71st-largest city in Virginia.

The median household income in Laurel, Virginia is $69,932, with 3.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Laurel, Virginia is $272,300, with median monthly rent at $1,497 and a homeownership rate of 50.9%.

The median age in Laurel, Virginia is 34.9 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.