Laurel, Maryland

Laurel, Maryland
City
City of Laurel
The Laurel Museum in May 2007
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 Show map of Maryland Laurel Laurel (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°5′45″N 76°51′35″W / 39.09583°N 76.85972°W / 39.09583; -76.85972
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Prince George's
Incorporated	1870
Government
• Mayor	Keith Sydnor (2023–present)
• City Council[1]	Ward 1: James Kole Ward 1: Carl DeWalt Ward 2: Kyla Clark Ward 2: Jeffrey Mills At Large: Christine Johnston
Area [2]
• 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

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.^[3] 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.

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.