Laurel, VA Demographics

A map of Laurel's Population by Race

Laurel, Virginia has an estimated population of 18,721, an increase from the 17,769 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 43.0% White, 27.9% Black, 15.1% Hispanic, 8.0% Asian, 5.4% 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 slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Virginia 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 69.8% in 2020 and 70.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Laurel is ranked the 70th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 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 75th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Laurel's White Population

8,053 residents of Laurel, or 43.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Laurel is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Laurel ranks 548th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Laurel's population has decreased from 45.1% to 43.0%.

Laurel is more White than neighboring Chamberlayne (36.3% White). Laurel is less White than neighboring Dumbarton (45.2% White), Glen Allen (47.9% White), Lakeside (63.7% White), and Innsbrook (49.7% White).

Laurel's Black Population

5,220 residents of Laurel, or 27.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Laurel is higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Laurel ranks 128th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Black population has grown by an estimated 10.4%. Black residents' share of Laurel's population has increased from 26.6% to 27.9%.

Laurel is more Black than neighboring Dumbarton (25.4% Black), Lakeside (17.6% Black), and Innsbrook (10.4% Black). Laurel is less Black than neighboring Glen Allen (28.9% Black), and Chamberlayne (54.9% Black).

Laurel's Asian Population

1,497 residents of Laurel, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Laurel is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Laurel ranks 105th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Asian population has declined by an estimated 10.7%. Asian residents' share of Laurel's population has decreased from 9.4% to 8.0%.

Laurel is more Asian than neighboring Dumbarton (5.8% Asian), Lakeside (2.8% Asian), and Chamberlayne (2.9% Asian). Laurel is less Asian than neighboring Glen Allen (13.8% Asian), and Innsbrook (30.1% Asian).

Laurel's Hispanic Population

2,823 residents of Laurel, or 15.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Laurel is slightly higher than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Laurel ranks 121st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 23.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Laurel's population has increased from 12.9% to 15.1%.

Laurel is more Hispanic than neighboring Glen Allen (3.3% Hispanic), Lakeside (10.9% Hispanic), Innsbrook (3.6% Hispanic), and Chamberlayne (2.2% Hispanic). Laurel is less Hispanic than neighboring Dumbarton (16.6% Hispanic).

Laurel's Native American/Other Population

111 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 Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Laurel ranks 75th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 51.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Laurel's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.6%.

Laurel is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dumbarton (0.2% Native American/Other), Glen Allen (0.2% Native American/Other), Lakeside (0.5% Native American/Other), Innsbrook (0.3% Native American/Other), and Chamberlayne (0.4% Native American/Other).

Laurel's Multiracial Population

1,017 residents of Laurel, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Laurel is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Laurel ranks 263rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 23.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Laurel's population has increased from 4.6% to 5.4%.

Laurel is more Multiracial than neighboring Lakeside (4.5% Multiracial), and Chamberlayne (3.3% Multiracial). Laurel is less Multiracial than neighboring Dumbarton (6.7% Multiracial), Glen Allen (5.8% Multiracial), and Innsbrook (6% 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.