Laurel, Maryland
Laurel is a city in Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore on the banks of the Patuxent River. While the city limits are entirely in northern Prince George's County, outlying developments extend into Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Howard counties. Founded as a mill town in the early 19th century, Laurel expanded local industry and was later able to become an early commuter town for Washington and Baltimore workers following the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1835. Largely residential today, the city maintains a historic district centered on its Main Street, highlighting its industrial past.
Laurel, Maryland | |
|---|---|
| City of Laurel | |
The Laurel Museum in May 2007 | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
| Motto(s): "Progressio Per Populum" (English: Progress Through People) | |
Location of Laurel in Prince George's County and Maryland | |
Laurel Location within the U.S. state of Maryland Laurel Laurel (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 39°5′45″N 76°51′35″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Prince George's |
| Incorporated | 1870 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Keith Sydnor (2023–present) |
| • City Council | Ward 1: James Kole Ward 1: Carl DeWalt |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.84 sq mi (12.53 km2) |
| • Land | 4.82 sq mi (12.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 164 ft (50 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 30,060 |
| • Density | 6,242.99/sq mi (2,410.60/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 20707–20709, 20723–20726 |
| Area code(s) | 240, 301 |
| FIPS code | 24-45900 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0597667 |
| Website | cityoflaurel.org |
The Department of Defense is a prominent presence in the Laurel area today, with the Fort Meade Army base, the NSA and Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Laboratory all located nearby. Laurel Park, a thoroughbred horse racetrack, is located just outside the city limits.