Kentucky

Laurel

62,613
2020 population
1830
first census record
20
census records

About Laurel

Laurel, Kentucky, first appears in the United States federal census in 1830, when it recorded a population of 2,206. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 62,613.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 5 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Stampede at Wildcat (Camp Wildcat Aftermath), Battle of Wildcat Mountain Kentucky, Action at London KY (1862 second), and 10 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202062,613
201058,849
200052,715
199043,438
198038,982
197027,386
196024,901
195025,797
194025,640
193021,109
192019,814
191019,872
190017,592
189013,747
18809,131
18706,016
18605,488
18504,145
18403,079
18302,206
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Laurel

Military engagements that took place in Laurel, Kentucky.

Stampede at Wildcat (Camp Wildcat Aftermath)
1861
Battle of Wildcat Mountain Kentucky
1861
Action at London KY (1862 second)
1862
Action at London (Laurel County)
1862
Action near Wildcat Mountain (supplement)
1862

Historic places in Laurel

National Register of Historic Places listings in Laurel, Kentucky.

Poynter Building
London
Sanders, Harland, Cafe
Corbin
Federal Building-Courthouse
London
Browse all Kentuckyhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Kentucky

Explore census history and historic records for more Kentucky counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Laurel County, Kentucky

This page charts the census history of Laurel County, Kentucky. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Laurel

When does Laurel first appear in the US census?
Laurel, Kentucky first appears in the federal census in 1830, with a recorded population of 2,206.
What is the population of Laurel?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Laurel had a recorded population of 62,613.
Were any battles fought in Laurel?
5 documented military engagements took place in Laurel, including Stampede at Wildcat (Camp Wildcat Aftermath), Battle of Wildcat Mountain Kentucky, Action at London KY (1862 second).
How many historic places are in Laurel?
10 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Laurel, Kentucky.
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