Laurel

About

To the west of Fort Meade is Laurel, a town known for affordability and convenience. Mainly residential with pockets of retail space and corporate office parks, its two MARC commuter train stations make it popular with Washington D.C. commuters.

Laurel has a small historic district where you can see remnants of its past as a mill town. The area hosts the annual Main Street Festival, a celebration of Laurel that draws thousands of people and features a parade, food vendors, and bands.

The city straddles three counties—Anne Arundel, Howard, and Prince George’s—and property taxes and school options will vary depending on where you live in Laurel. When looking for properties in the area, be sure you are familiar with the costs and benefits of each county. A seasoned AgentHero can help point you to the area that will best suit your family’s needs.

Neighbors

Laurel’s wide range of homes attracts working and middle-class families to the area. There are many government workers and military members living in the city.

Neighborhood Feel

Laurel has a bit more of an urban vibe than some of the nearby communities, but still enjoys a strong sense of community.

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Neighborhood Location

Commute
Fort Meade- Gate 7
Drive Time to Gate
10 to 45* minutes
By Transit
N/A

Neighborhood Info

Laurel - Fort Meade, MD - gomillie.com

Points of Interest

Montpelier Mansion

National Wildlife Visitor Center

Laurel Park

Patuxent Research Refuge – North Tract

Laurel Museum

Laurel MARC Station

The Gardens Ice House

Dinosaur Park

Big Plus

Two MARC stations allow for commutes from Laurel to DC.

Laurel is more affordable than some nearby areas.

Things to Consider

There are plenty of safe, nice areas, but there are pockets of crime in Laurel. Be sure to research the surrounding areas of any property you are considering.

How’s the Market?

The median home value for single family homes in Laurel is $308,200 according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Home Values are forecasted to increase by 3.7% in the coming year.

According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate for single family homes in Laurel is $2,138.

School Scoop

Laurel has 25 schools. One of the highest rated schools is Hammond Middle School (part of Howard County Public Schools), with a rating of 10 according to GreatSchools.org.

Laurel lies at the intersection of three large school districts—Howard County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Howard County and Anne Arundel County schools generally have the best reputation. Transfers between school districts are not common. Be sure you’re clear on which district you’ll be zoned to before making a decision on a home. An AgentHero and the School Liaison Office are valuable resources in this situation.

Private schools in Laurel include High Road Academy, St. Vincent Pallotti High School, First Baptist School of Laurel, Julia Brown Montessori Schools, and St. Mary of the Mills School. Monarch Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, also has a school in Laurel.

Highlighted Areas

Laurel Lakes

The Crescent at Cherry Lane

High Ridge Meadows (research)