Laurel ZIP Codes — Sussex County, DE

There is one unique ZIP code in Laurel, Delaware and it is 19956. Area code: 302.
1
ZIP codes
100.40
sq mi land
1.00
sq mi water
302
area code
Laurel, DE ZIP code map

About Laurel, DE

Laurel, Delaware, is a charming town located in Sussex County. Known for its friendly community and historical significance, Laurel boasts a unique blend of rural charm and modern amenities. With a rich heritage, the town attracts residents and visitors alike who appreciate its small-town atmosphere.

Location & geography

Laurel is situated in the southeastern part of the state of Delaware, approximately 20 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The town is bordered by nearby cities such as Seaford to the southwest (about 8 miles), Millsboro to the northeast (approximately 11 miles), and Georgetown to the northwest (roughly 10 miles). The total area of Laurel covers 100.40 square miles of land, along with 1.00 square mile of water, showcasing a mix of scenic landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Laurel is defined by its close-knit community and the active participation of residents in local events. The primary industries in the area include agriculture and retail, contributing to the town's economy and providing jobs for locals. Daily life in Laurel is marked by a strong sense of community, with various events and gatherings held throughout the year that foster connection among residents.

Transportation

Laurel is conveniently located near major highways, including U.S. Route 13, which facilitates easy travel to surrounding areas. The nearest significant airport is the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, located approximately 22 miles to the northwest. Public transportation options in the region are limited, with a reliance on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Laurel was founded in the early 19th century and quickly developed into a hub for the timber industry due to the abundant resources of nearby forests. The town's successful growth was further bolstered by the establishment of the railroad, which connected Laurel to larger markets. Notable events in the town's history include the celebration of its rich heritage during annual festivals that attract visitors from outside the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Laurel is that it hosts the annual Laurel Fireworks Festival, which celebrates Independence Day with a spectacular display attended by many local residents. Additionally, the town has preserved several historical buildings that reflect its rich past.

ZIP codes for Laurel, DE (1)
ZIP code City County Map
19956 Laurel Sussex View map

Demographics & statistics

15,822
Population
37.2
Median age
$53,633
Median household income
$26,216
Per capita income
$209,300
Median home value
$928
Median monthly rent
65.4%
Home ownership
20.9%
Poverty rate
5.0%
Unemployment
4,496
Housing units
15.5%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
442
Under 5
520
441
5–9
518
775
10–14
911
455
15–19
534
398
20–24
467
915
25–34
1,076
879
35–44
1,033
821
45–54
965
427
55–59
502
481
60–64
566
804
65–74
944
359
75–84
422
77
85+
90
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 184,34527.5%
18 and over11,47772.5%
65 and over2,69617.0%
Median age37.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 65.9%
Black or African American 18.7%
Two or more races 6.1%
Hispanic or Latino 6%
Other race 2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%
Asian 0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
GroupCount%
White11,09865.9%
Black or African American3,14518.7%
Two or more races1,0226.1%
Hispanic or Latino1,0146%
Other race3522.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native1470.9%
Asian330.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander250.1%

Household income

Under $10k 7.2%
$10k–$15k 6.7%
$15k–$25k 7.3%
$25k–$35k 12.1%
$35k–$50k 13.6%
$50k–$75k 17.9%
$75k–$100k 12.2%
$100k–$150k 14.4%
$150k–$200k 6.4%
$200k+ 2.2%
Range% of households
Under $10k7.2%
$10k–$15k6.7%
$15k–$25k7.3%
$25k–$35k12.1%
$35k–$50k13.6%
$50k–$75k17.9%
$75k–$100k12.2%
$100k–$150k14.4%
$150k–$200k6.4%
$200k+2.2%
Median income$53,633

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.4%
$50k–$100k 6.4%
$100k–$150k 10.7%
$150k–$200k 21.5%
$200k–$300k 26.7%
$300k–$500k 22.6%
$500k–$1M 3.1%
$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$209,300
Median rent / month$928
Owner occupied65.4%
Renter occupied34.6%
Vacant8.1%
Single-family detached67.7%
Large apartment buildings1.5%
Mobile homes18.6%
Median rooms5.9
Avg household size (owned)2.52

Year built

Era%
2020 or later1.3%
2010–20194.5%
2000–200919.4%
1990–199918.6%
1980–19897.8%
1970–197919.5%
1960–19696.2%
1950–19597.8%
1940–19494.3%
1939 or earlier10.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)2.1%
1 bedroom3.0%
2 bedrooms24.8%
3 bedrooms53.2%
4 bedrooms14.9%
5+ bedrooms2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.0%
1 vehicle33.9%
2 vehicles34.8%
3 or more27.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas10.5%
Electricity53.9%
Propane / LP gas16.5%
Fuel oil14.5%
Wood3.4%
No fuel used0.4%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family2,62143.3%
Cohabiting couple5128.5%
Male householder, no spouse89914.8%
Female householder, no spouse2,02433.4%
Households with children under 182,14835.5%
Households with seniors (65+)1,94632.1%
Average household size2.61

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married30.6%30.4%
Married53.6%40.7%
Separated1.5%5.2%
Widowed2.7%8.6%
Divorced11.6%15.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.1%
Some HS, no diploma 12.7%
HS graduate 39.4%
Some college, no degree 19.6%
Associate's degree 8.7%
Bachelor's degree 10.5%
Graduate / professional 5.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher83.2%
Bachelor's or higher15.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool2025.0%
Kindergarten1644.1%
Elementary school2,02350.0%
High school1,12327.7%
College / grad school53513.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 17.9%
Professional & management 10.4%
Construction 10.3%
Retail trade 10.1%
Manufacturing 8.8%
Transportation & utilities 8.7%
Finance & real estate 8.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%
Agriculture & mining 6.2%
Other services 4.5%
Public administration 3.5%
Wholesale trade 1.4%
Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts26.8%
Service21.8%
Sales & office23.3%
Natural resources & construction12.9%
Production & transportation15.1%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector80.6%
Government10.0%
Self-employed9.1%
Unpaid family workers0.4%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone81.5%
Carpool7.5%
Public transit1.2%
Walk1.6%
Other means1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)27.1

Poverty

All people 20.9%
Under 18 years 34.0%
18 and over 15.9%
Married-couple families 9.0%
Female-led households 46.1%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security32.4%
Retirement income27.5%
Supplemental Security7.4%
Cash public assistance3.3%
Food stamps / SNAP23.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure37.3%
High cholesterol36.4%
Heart disease7.8%
Stroke3.7%
Asthma10.5%
Arthritis26.3%
Kidney disease3.4%
Pulmonary disease9.6%
Cancer7.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking13.6%
No physical activity30.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep33.4%
Fair or poor health17.7%
Poor mental health15.2%
Poor physical health12.2%
No health insurance18.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.0%
Visited dentist50.1%
Cholesterol screening88.5%
Teeth loss18.7%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1,0228.9%
Disability%
Any disability15.1%
Under 183.3%
18–64 years12.9%
65 and over41.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance53.2%
Public insurance53.4%
Uninsured under 196.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only14,86093.9%
Spanish7975.4%
Other Indo-European7344.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander490.3%
Other languages140.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)14,79193.5%
Born in same state14,69892.9%
Born in different state7,91750.0%
Foreign born930.6%
Naturalized citizen1,0316.5%
Not a US citizen38036.9%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian2,55016.1%
French2,42415.3%
Arab1,0306.5%
German970.6%
English790.5%
AncestryCount%
Polish720.5%
Irish520.3%
Dutch230.1%
Norwegian130.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access38.3%
Internet access91.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Laurel, DE have?
Laurel, DE has one ZIP code: 19956. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete Delaware ZIP code database? Download all DE ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →