AreaScoop
Laurel, MD

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Laurel, MD

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Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 69
Population29,594
Foreign Born15.8%
Population Density6,224people per mi²
Median Age36.6 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2010, this city has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B+
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

149/100

49% above national average

B-

The Real Cost of Living in Laurel, Maryland

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $30k$56k
Comfortable $71k$105k
Luxury $136k+$211k+
Elite (Top 5%) $160k+$248k+
Affordability Ratio

90%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean84%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
24
Poor
7
Negative
8

Groceries

7 within 10 miles

0.2mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.4mi

Hospital

20 within 20 miles

1.2mi

Airport

BWI — Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall

11.9mi

Post Office

USPS — Laurel, MD

0.3mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

Nearest private club or country club.

Golf8Nearest 3.2 mi
Camping20Nearest 7.9 mi
Marina0Nearest 15.7 mi
Winery1Nearest 8.9 mi
Ice Rink1Nearest 8.9 mi
Gun Range3Nearest 4.1 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$94k+2.2%
25% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1.1M
66% above US avg
College Educated
44.5%
27% above US avg
WFH
14.3%
Equal to US avg
Homeownership
43.9%
33% below US avg
Median Home
$367k
30% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C-
Elevated

Higher crime rates than 57% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
21.7
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+74.4%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+42.7%
Homicide*
0.05 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Robbery*
0.84 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Aggravated Assault*
2.34 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr+106.0%
Burglary*
1.64 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Larceny-Theft*
13.30 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft*
3.15 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025* = State-level data substituted where local agency has not published figures

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+39Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Laurel, Maryland
Dem Rep
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D+
Poor11.3% of income
Property Rights
D
WeakIJ Grade D
Firearm Rights
F
PoorFPC Grade F
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (8% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
F
ProhibitedIllegal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season220 days288 frost-free
Annual Rainfall66.8"
Elevation230 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor188 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor6,224/sq mi
Fallout Danger
C-
Weak28 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Heat Wave, Tornado, Hurricane, Earthquake
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 288 mi · coast 98 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$121.8M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityWashington690k people are 16 mi away
Nearest Major AirportBWI12 mi away
Distance to State Capital21 miAnnapolis, MD
Nearest Prison5.5 mi12 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-22T02:20:32.000Z

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