Signals
Laurel
Colonial Heights
Opportunity
50 · Bottom 37%
vs47 · Bottom 30%
Climate
75 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 28%
Physical resilience
85 · Top 16%
vs72 · Top 34%
Housing affordability
71 · Bottom 36%
vs94 · Top 21%
Schools
21 · Bottom 12%
vs46 · Bottom 42%
Access
94 · Top 40%
vs90 · Bottom 42%
Economic stability
71 · Top 27%
vs62 · Top 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Laurel | Colonial Heights | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,721 | 18,352 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,609 | $76,505 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,535 | $37,650 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,475/sq mi | 2,441/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $283,600 | $246,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,616 | $1,234 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.8% | 68.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 4.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.1% | -2.2% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 28.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 7.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 89°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 28°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.8" | 45.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 14 mi | 17 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.9 min | 26.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.1 | 38.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 11 | 7 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 16.64 | 12.90 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 36.2% | 48.0% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 51.1% | 60.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 83.4% | 94.1% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Laurel
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Colonial Heights
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Laurel
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
Colonial Heights
66
Your Score
63
Area Score
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Full profiles: Laurel, VA · Colonial Heights, VA · How this is calculated: methodology