Laurel, MD Demographics

A map of Laurel's Population by Race

Laurel, Maryland has an estimated population of 29,798, a less than 1% change from the 30,060 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 52.3% Black, 22.2% Hispanic, 12.1% White, 8.2% Asian, 4.6% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Laurel, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Laurel has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Maryland overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Laurel, that probability was 67.7% in 2020 and 65.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Laurel is ranked the 44th most populous place in Maryland, out of 536 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Laurel was ranked the 43rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Laurel's White Population

3,618 residents of Laurel, or 12.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Laurel is significantly lower than in Maryland overall, where 46.6% of the population is White. Laurel ranks 468th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's White population has declined by an estimated 26.8%. White residents' share of Laurel's population has decreased from 16.4% to 12.1%.

Laurel is more White than neighboring South Laurel (10.5% White), and Konterra (9.7% White). Laurel is less White than neighboring West Laurel (40.7% White), North Laurel (27.1% White), and Scaggsville (51.6% White).

Laurel's Black Population

15,588 residents of Laurel, or 52.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Laurel is significantly higher than in Maryland overall, where 28.9% of the population is Black. Laurel ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Black population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. Black residents' share of Laurel's population has increased from 49.4% to 52.3%.

Laurel is more Black than neighboring West Laurel (15.1% Black), North Laurel (33.3% Black), and Scaggsville (15.9% Black). Laurel is less Black than neighboring South Laurel (58.9% Black), and Konterra (61.6% Black).

Laurel's Asian Population

2,432 residents of Laurel, or 8.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Laurel is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 6.5% of the population is Asian. Laurel ranks 64th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Asian population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. Asian residents' share of Laurel's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.2%.

Laurel is more Asian than neighboring South Laurel (6% Asian). Laurel is less Asian than neighboring West Laurel (10.7% Asian), North Laurel (17% Asian), Konterra (13.3% Asian), and Scaggsville (17.4% Asian).

Laurel's Hispanic Population

6,607 residents of Laurel, or 22.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Laurel is higher than in Maryland overall, where 12.5% of the population is Hispanic. Laurel ranks 49th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Laurel's population has increased from 21.0% to 22.2%.

Laurel is more Hispanic than neighboring West Laurel (14.6% Hispanic), North Laurel (17.1% Hispanic), South Laurel (20.4% Hispanic), Konterra (9.6% Hispanic), and Scaggsville (8.5% Hispanic).

Laurel's Native American/Other Population

169 residents of Laurel, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Laurel is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Laurel ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 53.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Laurel's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.6%.

Laurel is more Native American/Other than neighboring Scaggsville (0.3% Native American/Other). Laurel is less Native American/Other than neighboring West Laurel (3.6% Native American/Other), North Laurel (1.5% Native American/Other), South Laurel (0.7% Native American/Other), and Konterra (1.5% Native American/Other).

Laurel's Multiracial Population

1,384 residents of Laurel, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Laurel is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Laurel ranks 321st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 21.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Laurel's population has increased from 3.8% to 4.6%.

Laurel is more Multiracial than neighboring North Laurel (3.9% Multiracial), South Laurel (3.5% Multiracial), and Konterra (4.2% Multiracial). Laurel is less Multiracial than neighboring West Laurel (15.3% Multiracial), and Scaggsville (6.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.