Laurel, MS

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison
2024 Population
82,531
US Senator
Roger Wicker
Republican Party
US Senator
Cindy Hyde-Smith
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
38.6
0.26% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
18.9%
7.56% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$51,236
2.75% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$132,900
6.32% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
33,940
0.27% 1-year decline

About

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.

98.1% of the residents in Laurel, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Laurel, MS are Jones County Junior College (1,184 degrees awarded in 2023), Southeastern Baptist College (33 degrees), and Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture (31 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Laurel, MS was $132,900, and the homeownership rate was 76.6%.

Most people in Laurel, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Laurel, MS was 2 cars per household.

Laurel, MS borders Hattiesburg, MS and Meridian, MS.

United StatesMississippi

Population & Diversity

Laurel, MS is home to a population of 82.5k people, from which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.42% of Laurel, MS residents were born outside of the country (2k people).

In 2024, there were 1.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (48.9k people) in Laurel, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.78k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.1%
2024 Citizenship
98.2%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.1% of Laurel, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Laurel, MS was 98.2%, 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.

View Data
Save Image

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Laurel, MS
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    48.9k ± 114
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    27.1k ± 451
  3. Other (Hispanic)
    1.78k ± 700
5.21%
Hispanic Population
4.3k people

In 2024, there were 1.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (48.9k people) in Laurel, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.78k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

5.21% of the people in Laurel, MS are hispanic (4.3k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Laurel, MS as a share of the total population.

View Data
Save Image

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Mississippi.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    17,149 ± 3,206 people
  2. Honduras
    5,066 ± 1,746 people
  3. India
    4,341 ± 1,616 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 17,149 Mississippi residents, followed by Honduras with 5,066 and India with 4,341.

View Data
Save Image

Foreign-Born Population

2.42%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
2k people
2.22%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
1.84k people

As of 2024, 2.42% of Laurel, MS residents (2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Laurel, MS was 2.22%, 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.

View Data
Save Image

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    1,337 ± 267
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    834 ± 242
  3. Gulf War (2001-)
    585 ± 168

Laurel, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.6 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Laurel, MS.

View Data
Save Image

Economy

The economy of Laurel, MS employs 33.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Laurel, MS were Manufacturing (5,733 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,932 people), and Retail Trade (3,960 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($90,171), Utilities ($66,216), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,086).

Employment

Occupations

33.9k
2024 Value
± 1,684
−0.27%
1 Year decline
± 7.14%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Laurel, MS declined at a rate of −0.27%, from 34k employees to 33.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Laurel, MS, are Production Occupations (4,022 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,345 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,036 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Laurel, MS.

View Data
Save Image

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

View Data
Save Image

Industries

Employment by Industries

33.9k
2024 Value
± 1,684
−0.27%
1 Year decline
± 7.14%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Laurel, MS declined at a rate of −0.27%, from 34k employees to 33.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Laurel, MS, are Manufacturing (5,733 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,932 people), and Retail Trade (3,960 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.

View Data
Save Image

Median Earnings by Industry

$46,775
Median earning men ± $2,906
$31,776
Median earning women ± $2,177

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($79,982), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,694), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($52,333).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,484), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($39,938), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($38,625).

View Data
Save Image

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.

View Data
Save Image

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 125
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  2. 120
    Retail Trade
  3. 91
    Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

View Data
Save Image

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $438k
    Manufacturing
  2. $180k
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  3. $94.9k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

View Data
Save Image

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

Voting results are not available for Laurel, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (60.9%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (38%)
    Democratic Party
  3. 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.

View Data
Save Image

Senator Elections

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.
Roger Wicker
Senator from Mississippi1
Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.
Cindy Hyde-Smith
Senator from Mississippi2
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.

View Data
Save Image

Education

In 2023, universities in Laurel, MS awarded 1,248 degrees. The student population of Laurel, MS in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,728 male students and 2,697 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Laurel, MS are White (812 and 65.1%), Black or African American (373 and 29.9%), Two or More Races (29 and 2.32%), and Hispanic or Latino (14 and 1.12%).

The largest universities in Laurel, MS by number of degrees awarded are Jones County Junior College (1,184 and 94.9%), Southeastern Baptist College (33 and 2.64%), and Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture (31 and 2.48%).

The most popular majors in Laurel, MS are Liberal Arts & Sciences (559 and 44.8%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (80 and 6.41%), and Registered Nursing (60 and 4.81%).

The median tuition cost in Laurel, MS for private four year colleges is $5,625.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2020 in Laurel, MS, the percentage of applicants admitted was 56.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 78.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 4,425 (39.1% men and 60.9% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

View Data
Save Image

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 4,425 students enrolled in Laurel, MS, 39.1% men and 60.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,779 records, of which 58.5% were women and 41.5% men.

View Data
Save Image

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Registered Nursing
    60 degrees awarded
  2. Electrician
    19 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    559 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Laurel, MS was Registered Nursing with 60 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Laurel, MS according to their major.

View Data
Save Image

Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Jones County Junior College
    1,184 degrees awarded
  2. Southeastern Baptist College
    33 degrees awarded
  3. Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture
    31 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Jones County Junior College with 1,184 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 517 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Laurel, MS, which is 0.707 times less than the 731 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 812 degrees mean that there were 2.18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 373 degrees awarded.

View Data
Save Image

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.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($5,625) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($300) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($900) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

View Data
Save Image

Housing & Living

The median property value in Laurel, MS was $132,900 in 2024, which is 0.399 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $125,000 to $132,900, a 6.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Laurel, MS is 76.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Laurel, MS have an average commute time of 25.9 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.

Housing

Property

$132,900
Median Property Value 2024
±$18,287
$24,203
Median Property Taxes
±$1,263

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 < $800 range.

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

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

Rent vs Own

76.6%
Homeownership
2024
67.7%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 76.6% of the housing units in Laurel, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.7%.

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

View Data
Save Image

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$51,236
Median Household Income
± $2,578
31.6k
Number of Households
± 1,556

In 2024, the median household income of the 31.6k households in Laurel, MS grew to $51,236 from the previous year's value of $49,867.

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.

View Data
Save Image

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Laurel, MS is from Mississippi.
0.45
2023 Wage GINI in Mississippi
0.452
2022 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2023, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.442% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

View Data
Save Image

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (83.4%)
  2. Carpooled (9.88%)
  3. Worked At Home (4.17%)

In 2024, 83.4% of workers in Laurel, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.88%) and those who worked at home (4.17%).

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.

View Data
Save Image

Commute Time

25.9 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Laurel, MS have a shorter commute time (25.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.95% 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.

View Data
Save Image
View Data
Save Image

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.

View Data
Save Image

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Laurel, MS (15.3k out of 80.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 55 - 64.

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

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.

View Data
Save Image

Health

88.7% of the population of Laurel, MS has health coverage, with 38.8% on employee plans, 21.6% on Medicaid, 14.1% on Medicare, 12.1% on non-group plans, and 2.1% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Mississippi see 1,875 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,875 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1939 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 436 patients per year.

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

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.
1,875 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Mississippi

Primary care physicians in Mississippi see an average of 1,875 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,875 patients).

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

View Data
Save Image

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.4% under 18 years, 18.8% between 18 and 34 years, 36.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.2% 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.

View Data
Save Image

Uninsured People

11.3%
Uninsured
38.8%
Employer Coverage
21.6%
Medicaid
14.1%
Medicare
12.1%
Non-Group
2.1%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Laurel, MS declined by 6.5% from 12% to 11.3%.

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.

View Data
Save Image