Laurel, a charming city located midway between Washington, DC and Baltimore, has a storied history. From its humble beginnings as a mill town in the early 19th century to its current status as a technology powerhouse, the city of Laurel has always been an attractive place to live and raise a family.
Geographically speaking, Laurel is unusually positioned, with parts of the city sprawling over into three separate counties: Prince George's to the south, Howard to the north, and Anne Arundel to the east. Each area has a slightly different character and unique attributes that contribute to Laurel's overall appeal. If you are looking at relocating to the Washington, DC area, or just want to find a new suburb to call home, here are some things to know about Laurel.
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Laurel is a wonderful place to pursue a career; the unemployment rate was around just 4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, well below the state average of about 5.5 percent. In its ranking of Best Places to Live, Time.com estimated job growth in Laurel to be 12 percent, one of the fastest growing cities of its size.
Fort Meade, a major installation for defense information, is located in Laurel, as is the National Security Agency, both of which employ a large number of military and civilian workers. The Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Institute is also a major Laurel employer. There are also large defense and government IT contractors in the Laurel area such as Aquilent. Laurel is a short commute from the I-270 Technology Corridor headquartered near Rockville, home to many of the capital area's top employers.
The average commute time for Laurel residents is just over 30 minutes, a bit higher than the Maryland average, but well within the typical range for DC suburbs in general.
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Because Laurel is spread out into three more or less distinct areas, you can really find just about any style of home, from chic urban condos to moderately priced town homes to estate style single family homes with expansive lawns and three-car garages.
South Laurel, located in Prince George's County, has the city's historic core area and is more urban and densely populated than the north Laurel area, which is across the Patuxent River in Howard County. North Laurel, and the unincorporated parts of the city located in Anne Arundel County, have a distinctly suburban feel, with most of the homes being built during or after the 1960s.
Average home prices in Laurel ranged from about $159,000 for condos to $211,000 for town homes to $340,000 for detached homes in 2014. Homes located in the Howard County and Anne Arundel County portions of the city tend to be slightly more expensive than their Prince George's County counterparts. Property tax rates vary by county, at 1.183 percent in Howard County, 1.382 percent in Prince George's County, and 0.830 in Anne Arundel County.
City ranking site Area Vibes gives Laurel an A+ for its urban amenities. There are around 20 different grocery and specialty food stores, an abundance of restaurants and coffee shops, a good library network, and decent public transportation infrastructure, including two metro stations and ample bus routes. In addition, Laurel is known for the Dutch Country Farmer's Market, open each week from Thursday to Saturday, featuring fresh Dutch Country produce, baked goods, dairy products, and free-range meats.
Other family-friendly places and activities include the National Wildlife Center, a robust system of public parks and green spaces including playgrounds, athletic fields, nature trails, and picnic shelters. The Granville Gude Park and Lakehouse has bike paths, two lakes with boat access and paddle boat rental, and an outdoor stage. This 29-acre park is the site of numerous community events, including a 4th of July celebration, an Easter Eggstravaganza, and Movies in the Park.
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Depending on which side of the city you live, your public schools could fall under the jurisdiction of the Prince George's County Public Schools or the Howard County Public Schools. Howard County schools are generally considered to be among the best in the state and some are even nationally recognized for excellence.
There are over 60 schools in and around Laurel, with a good mix of public district, public charter, and private schools. Laurel serves a very diverse student body, with the city itself having majority minority status; over 26 percent of the residents are foreign born. About 30 percent of the households in the city's urban core area have children under the age of 18 living in them. The high school graduation rate in Prince George's County schools has been steadily rising over the past four years and is now approaching 75 percent. The graduation rate for Laurel students attending Howard County Public Schools is higher, at nearly 93 percent.
If you are contemplating a move to the Washington, DC suburbs, there's plenty to like about the Laurel area. Excellent career opportunities, a low unemployment rate, and a terrific array of housing options for singles, couples, and families of any size are just a few of the city's advantages. Parks and green spaces, a thriving farmer's market, and great restaurants round out Laurel's amenities.
