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CITY

Laurens

Iowa · 1,217 residents (2025 est.) · 0.757 sq mi
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The short version

Laurens has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,988. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 270 residents. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $60,300. With a median age of 47.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 35% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,206
−18%since 2000
from 1,476 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,593 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 1,950 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.2
+12%since 2000
from 42.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,217 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Laurens
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,988
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,188 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,429
+88%since 2000
from $16,711 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.5%
+17.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.0%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.425
+14%since 2010
from 0.373 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade36.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Information4.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$60,300
−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$805
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $307 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
23.2% rent
Vacancy rate
19.3%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.3%
+15.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
−13%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
19
RELATED:See current rent listings in Laurens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(1,442)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(16)
Asian0.4%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(55)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.8%(1,047)
Black1.7%(21)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(95)
Asian0.6%(7)
Other3%(36)
Diversity Score29.9%(360)
Diversity Score
30
+704%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.4 min
+56%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 77.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.9%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.5%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.5%
−26.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.7%
−42.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2012
from 16.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.6%
−86.9 ptssince 2013
from 90.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.9%
+16.5 ptssince 2017
from 75.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.4%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 98.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2016
from 1.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Laurens, Iowa?

Laurens, Iowa has about 1,206 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Laurens, Iowa?

The typical household in Laurens, Iowa earns about $48,988 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Laurens, Iowa expensive?

In Laurens, Iowa, the median home is worth about $60,300, and the typical rent is about $805 a month.

How educated are people in Laurens, Iowa?

About 13.9% of adults age 25 and over in Laurens, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Laurens, Iowa?

About 15.0% of people in Laurens, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Laurens, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Laurens, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 356 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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