Town · Delaware
Laurel, Delaware
Laurel, town, in Sussex County, Delaware. Laurel had 4,557 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 15.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,865 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,152 (±18). GEOID 1041310.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,557
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,865 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,152 ±18
Median household income
$48,644
±$11,612 (90% margin)
Delaware: $84,954
Median home value
$230,300
±$42,180 (90% margin)
Delaware: $352,000
Median gross rent
$1,056
±$107 (90% margin)
Delaware: $1,401
Where is Laurel and what county is it in?
Laurel is a town in Sussex County, Delaware. It covers 2.8 square miles of land, 1,395 residents per square mile in 2020.
Laurel is in the Seaford, DE micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Laurel, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,557 people lived in Laurel on July 1, 2025, up 15.8% since 2020, faster than Delaware (+7.1%). The 2020 Census counted 3,865 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,152 (±18).
| Measure | Laurel | Sussex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,152 ±18 | 255,626 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,609 ±231 | 106,441 | +359 |
| Average household size | 2.57 ±0.37 | 2.38 | −0.76 |
| Housing units | 1,710 ±227 | 151,799 | no clear change |
Laurel's population since 2000
From 3,668 in 2000 to 4,557 in 2025: up 24.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Laurel as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Laurel?
The median resident of Laurel is 33.0 years old; 29.7% are under 18 and 15.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 34.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 32.7%. 18.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Laurel | Sussex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.0 ±3.1 | 51.9 | +10.1 |
| Under 18 years | 29.7% ±7.4 pts | 18.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.8% ±5.6 pts | 30.2% | – |
| Male | 48.9% ±9.4 pts | 48.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 32.7% ±14.1 pts | 11.5% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 31.2% ±10.2 pts | 72.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 34.1% ±11.3 pts | 9.8% | −17.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±1.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 18.1% ±8.8 pts | 8.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 32.5% ±15.3 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2% ±4.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| With a disability | 18.0% ±7.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.8% ±5.7 pts | 7.0% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 73.3% ±10.7 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 4.6% ±3.6 pts | 33.0% | – |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.1% ±3.3 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 79.1% ±12.3 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 16.0% ±13.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Laurel earn?
Half of Laurel's 1,609 households earn less than $48,644 a year (±$11,612), against $81,497 in Sussex County and $84,954 in Delaware. In 2015-2019 it was $46,590 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 34.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Laurel | Sussex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,644 ±$11,612 | $81,497 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $61,462 ±$16,517 | $109,282 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,176 ±$7,568 | $46,684 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 34.6% ±14.1 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 55.1% ±24.1 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 41.4% ±12.0 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.2% ±7.6 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1% ±8.3 pts | 91.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Laurel?
Owners occupy 39.6% of Laurel's occupied homes and renters 60.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $230,300 by its owner (±$42,180). The median renter pays $1,056 a month including utilities, and 47.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Laurel | Sussex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $230,300 ±$42,180 | $382,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,056 ±$107 | $1,238 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.4% ±17.9 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,141 ±$116 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 39.6% ±12.9 pts | 81.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 60.4% ±12.9 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Housing units | 1,710 ±227 | 151,799 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±5.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.8 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.0% ±11.4 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±1.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.5% ±9.0 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.7% ±11.9 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.2% ±9.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Laurel work and get to work?
67.9% of Laurel's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 33.8 minutes.
| Measure | Laurel | Sussex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.2% ±10.5 pts | 54.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 15.9% ±11.3 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 67.9% ±12.7 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 19.4% ±12.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 6.2% ±6.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.5% ±4.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.6% ±3.0 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.8 min ±5.3 | 27.3 min | +9.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Laurel?
1 census tract lies mostly in Laurel, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 518.02Sussex County | 4,045 | $65,639 |
| Tract 518.01Sussex County | 6,344 | $50,058 |
| Tract 517.01Sussex County | 4,483 | $78,194 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Laurel) · Census block assignment files
How does Laurel compare with other places in Delaware?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Laurel is the 5,169th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 12th-most populous of 57 in Delaware.
Laurel ranks 50th of 51 places in Delaware with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 12th | 57 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 11th | 31 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st | 51 |
| Median household income | 50th | 51 |
| Per capita income | 48th | 51 |
| Median home value | 43rd | 50 |
| Median gross rent | 41st | 47 |
| Poverty rate | 1st | 33 |
| Median age | 46th | 51 |
| Owner-occupied share | 50th | 50 |
| Travel time to work | 2nd | 51 |
Laurel's figures with every place in Delaware (CSV)
Every place in Delaware, sortable · Compare Laurel with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Laurel?
21 of the 57 figures for Laurel on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Laurel are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Laurel.