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Laurel, Nebraska
Downtown Laurel looking east from 2nd and Elm St. prior to the Downtown Revitalization Project finished in 2021.
Downtown Laurel looking east from 2nd and Elm St. prior to the Downtown Revitalization Project finished in 2021.
Location of Laurel, Nebraska
Location of Laurel, Nebraska
Country United States
State Nebraska
County Cedar
Area
 • Total 1.35 sq mi (3.50 km2)
 • Land 1.35 sq mi (3.50 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,493 ft (455 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 975
 • Estimate 
(2021)
968
 • Density 718.40/sq mi (277.37/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
68745
Area code(s) 402
FIPS code 31-26350
GNIS feature ID 2395644
Website Official City website: https://laurelne.com/

Laurel is a city in Cedar County, Nebraska located at the merger of Highway 20 and Highway 15 in the northeast corner of the state. Laurel sits roughly 40 miles east of Norfolk, Nebraska, west of Sioux City, Iowa, and south of Yankton, South Dakota. Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska is 15 miles south of Laurel. Its population was 975 at the 2020 census.

History

Laurel was founded in 1893 and was originally named Claremont Junction. The present name is after Laura Martin, the daughter of one of the city's founders.

In 2021 the city completed its last phase of a $2.6 million Downtown Revitalization Project which included removing the median from and pouring new concrete on East 2nd (Main) Street, widening the downtown sidewalks, and constructing a new city hall which houses the city offices, senior center, and can be used for parties and events.

Also in 2021 the city opened its new fire hall in thanks to fundraising and donations. The new fire hall holds up to seven fire engines, two ambulances, and has storage, a classroom, and common area spaces. The volunteer fire department and EMS are housed out of the hall.

The city is currently constructing a new school which will be attached to part of the existing school. Once the new addition is complete, the existing structure will receive renovations and updates. This is part of a $25 million bond that passed in 2021 by a single vote, 596–595.

Schools

Laurel is located within the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School District. Currently the Elementary and High School are based in Laurel. Their mascot is the Bears.

Churches

Laurel is served by four community churches:

  • Faith Community Church, Nondenominational Christianity
  • Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
  • United Lutheran Church, Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
  • United Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)

As well as two churches in nearby Concord, Nebraska:

  • Concord Evangelical Free Church, Evangelical Free Church of America
  • Concordia Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 514
1910 514 0.0%
1920 830 61.5%
1930 864 4.1%
1940 861 −0.3%
1950 944 9.6%
1960 922 −2.3%
1970 1,009 9.4%
1980 1,031 2.2%
1990 981 −4.8%
2000 986 0.5%
2010 964 −2.2%
2020 975 1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

At the 2010 census, 964 people in 415 households, including 263 families, lived in the city. The population density was 983.7 inhabitants per square mile (379.8/km2). The 474 housing units had an average density of 483.7 units per square mile (186.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.4%.

Of the 415 households, 26.3% had children under 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.6% were not families. About 33.5% of households were one person and 16.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26, and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age was 44.7 years; 22.6% of residents were under 18; 6.4% were between 18 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 24.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Laurel (Nebraska) para niños

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