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Demographic Analysis of South Laurel, Maryland: A Black Majority Community with Growing Hispanic Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
South Laurel, Maryland, is categorized as a "Majority-Minority" community with a "Black Majority." As of 2022, the Black population constitutes 62% of the total, while other minority groups collectively make up 26% of the population. The city's median income of $84,678 in 2022 reflects a relatively affluent area, with a population of 29,501 spread across 8.1 square miles.
Over the past decade, South Laurel has consistently maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community. The Black population percentage has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 59% and 64% from 2013 to 2022. The Hispanic population has shown a steady increase, rising from 11% in 2013 to 16% in 2022, indicating a trend towards a more diverse community. The White population has decreased from 18% in 2013 to 12% in 2022, further solidifying the area's "Majority-Minority" status. The Asian population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 5-9% throughout the decade.
The median income in South Laurel has shown a generally positive trend. From 2013 to 2019, there was a significant increase in median income from $70,452 to $85,454, representing a 21% growth over six years. Since 2019, the median income has stabilized, with a slight decrease to $84,678 in 2022. The population has grown from 26,153 in 2013 to 29,501 in 2022, an increase of about 12.8%.
The trends in South Laurel align with broader patterns observed in many suburban areas near major cities. These include increasing diversity in suburban communities, growth in minority populations, particularly Hispanic communities, and generally rising median incomes, reflecting suburban affluence.
Based on the observed trends, South Laurel is likely to continue evolving demographically. The Black majority is expected to persist, but potentially with a gradual decrease in percentage. The Hispanic population is likely to continue growing, possibly reaching 20% or more in the next 5-10 years. The community may transition from a "Black Majority" to a "Moderate Diversity" category if the Hispanic and Asian populations continue to grow while the Black population percentage decreases. Economically, the area is likely to maintain its affluence, with median incomes potentially stabilizing or growing slowly. The community may eventually be categorized as a "Transitional Community" if the growth in Hispanic and multiracial populations accelerates.
South Laurel is a dynamic, diverse, and economically stable community that is gradually becoming more heterogeneous. This evolution reflects broader demographic shifts in American suburbs and suggests a future of increased cultural diversity and continued economic prosperity.
