Laurel, MS

Census Place

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2023 Population

17,129

0.65% 1-year decline

US Senator

Roger Wicker

Republican Party

US Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Party

2023 Median Age

35.6

5.32% 1-year decrease

2023 Poverty Rate

31.6%

2.93% 1-year decrease

2023 Median Household Income

$37,781

3.98% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$110,200

0.988% 1-year decline

2023 Employed Population

7,022

5.48% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, Laurel, MS had a population of 17.1k people with a median age of 35.6 and a median household income of $37,781. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Laurel, MS declined from 17,241 to 17,129, a −0.65% decrease and its median household income grew from $36,336 to $37,781, a 3.98% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Laurel, MS are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (64.7%), White (Non-Hispanic) (28.2%), Other (Hispanic) (3.33%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Hispanic) (1.4%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (0.975%).

None of the households in Laurel, MS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.7% of the residents in Laurel, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Laurel, MS are Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture (39 degrees awarded in 2022).

In 2023, the median property value in Laurel, MS was $110,200, and the homeownership rate was 61.1%.

Most people in Laurel, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17 minutes. The average car ownership in Laurel, MS was 2 cars per household.

United States Mississippi Jones County, MS Laurel, MS South Region--Covington, Greene, Jefferson Davis, Jones & Wayne Counties PUMA, MS

Population & Diversity

Laurel, MS is home to a population of 17.1k people, from which 96.7% are citizens. As of 2023, 3.85% of Laurel, MS residents were born outside of the country (659 people).

In 2023, there were 2.3 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.1k people) in Laurel, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.82k White (Non-Hispanic) and 571 Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.7%

2023 Citizenship

97.3%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 96.7% of Laurel, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Laurel, MS was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Laurel, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Laurel, MS

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
11.1k ± 799
White (Non-Hispanic)
4.82k ± 704
Other (Hispanic)
571 ± 434

6.66%

Hispanic Population

1.14k people

6.66% of the people in Laurel, MS are hispanic (1.14k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Laurel, MS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Mississippi.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
16,383 ± 3,134 people
India
5,084 ± 1,749 people
Guatemala
3,926 ± 1,537 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 16,383 Mississippi residents, followed by India with 5,084 and Guatemala with 3,926.

Foreign-Born Population

3.85%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

659 people

3.25%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

560 people

As of 2023, 3.85% of Laurel, MS residents (659 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Laurel, MS was 3.25%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Laurel, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
205 ± 120
Gulf War (1990s)
156 ± 123
Gulf War (2001-)
94 ± 72

Laurel, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.31 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Laurel, MS employs 7.02k people. The largest industries in Laurel, MS are Manufacturing (1,641 people), Retail Trade (1,118 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (980 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($140,137), Utilities ($96,333), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($95,316).

Males in Mississippi have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,477. The income inequality in Mississippi (measured using the Gini index) is 0.452, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

7.02k

2023 Value

± 909

5.48%

1 Year growth

± 17.4%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Laurel, MS grew at a rate of 5.48%, from 6.66k employees to 7.02k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Laurel, MS, are Production Occupations (1,414 people), Sales & Related Occupations (882 people), and Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (715 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Laurel, MS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

7.02k

2023 Value

± 909

5.48%

1 Year growth

± 17.4%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Laurel, MS grew at a rate of 5.48%, from 6.66k employees to 7.02k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Laurel, MS, are Manufacturing (1,641 people), Retail Trade (1,118 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (980 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Laurel, MS, though some of these residents may live in Laurel, MS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$30,687

Median earning men ± $3,627

$26,609

Median earning women ± $2,881

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($250,001), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($61,458), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($58,000).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($95,542), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,337), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($35,088).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Y-Axis

1.38%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.17M people employed in Mississippi. This represents a 1.38% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Mississippi.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Laurel, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (60.9%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (38%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.439%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 60.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.439%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Mississippi for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing Mississippi.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Mississippi over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Mississippi

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Mississippi have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2022, universities in Laurel, MS awarded 39 degrees. The student population of Laurel, MS in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 0 male students and 55 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Laurel, MS are White (32 and 82.1%), followed by Black or African American (6 and 15.4%), Hispanic or Latino (1 and 2.56%), and Asian (0 and 0%).

The largest universities in Laurel, MS by number of degrees awarded are Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture (39 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Laurel, MS are General Cosmetology (39 and 100%) and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (0 and 0%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2022 there were 55 students enrolled in Laurel, MS, 0% men and 100% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 48 records, of which 100% were women and 0% men.

Completions

Concentrations

General Cosmetology

Most Common

39 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Laurel, MS was General Cosmetology with 39 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Laurel, MS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

39 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture with 39 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2022, 0 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Laurel, MS, which is 0 times less than the 39 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 32 degrees mean that there were 5.33 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 6 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Measure

In 2022, 1.04% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.852% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (690k), Some college (543k), and Secondary Education (397k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Laurel, MS was $110,200 in 2023, which is 0.363 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $111,300 to $110,200, a 0.988% decrease. The homeownership rate in Laurel, MS is 61.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Laurel, MS have an average commute time of 17 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Laurel, MS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Laurel, MS is $37,781. In 2023, the place with the highest median household income in Laurel, MS was Census Tract 9504.01 with a value of $70,417, followed by Census Tract 9503.02 and Census Tract 9505, with respective values of $60,599 and $41,116.

Housing

Property

$110,200

Median Property Value 2023

±$16,590

$4,032

Median Property Taxes

±$569

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Laurel, MS the largest share of households pay taxes in the None range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Laurel, MS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.1%

Homeownership

2023

59.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 61.1% of the housing units in Laurel, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 63.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Laurel, MS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9504.01
Census Tract 9503.02
Census Tract 9505

In 2023, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Laurel, MS was Census Tract 9504.01 with a value of $70,417, followed by Census Tract 9503.02 and Census Tract 9505, with respective values of $60,599 and $41,116.

The following map shows all of the places in Laurel, MS colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$37,781

Median Household Income

± $5,728

6.6k

Number of Households

± 775

In 2023, the median household income of the 6.6k households in Laurel, MS grew to $37,781 from the previous year's value of $36,336.

The following chart displays the households in Laurel, MS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Laurel, MS is from Mississippi.

0.452

2022 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.45

2021 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2022, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.452 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.553% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Mississippi across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (87.3%)
Carpooled (6.84%)
Worked At Home (4.2%)

In 2023, 87.3% of workers in Laurel, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (6.84%) and those who worked at home (4.2%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

17 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Laurel, MS have a shorter commute time (17 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 0.537% of the workforce in Laurel, MS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Laurel, MS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Laurel, MS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Laurel, MS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

31.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Laurel, MS (5.29k out of 16.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Males < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Laurel, MS is Black, followed by White and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

84.8% of the population of Laurel, MS has health coverage, with 32.5% on employee plans, 27.7% on Medicaid, 10.4% on Medicare, 11.3% on non-group plans, and 2.96% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Jones County, MS see 2125 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.141% decrease from the previous year (2128 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1711 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 785 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Jones County, MS.

2,125 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Jones County, MS

Primary care physicians in Jones County, MS see an average of 2,125 patients per year. This represents a 0.141% decrease from the previous year (2,128 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Jones County, MS in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.8% under 18 years, 23.5% between 18 and 34 years, 36% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

15.2%

Uninsured

32.5%

Employer Coverage

27.7%

Medicaid

10.4%

Medicare

11.3%

Non-Group

2.96%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Laurel, MS grew by 21.4% from 12.5% to 15.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Laurel, MS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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