Signals
Laurel
Mechanicsville
Climate
75 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 28%
Physical resilience
85 · Top 16%
vs82 · Top 20%
Housing affordability
71 · Bottom 36%
vs87 · Top 39%
Schools
21 · Bottom 12%
vs91 · Top 3%
Access
94 · Top 40%
vs97 · Top 29%
Economic stability
71 · Top 27%
vs73 · Top 22%
Measured values
| Metric | Laurel | Mechanicsville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,721 | 38,683 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,609 | $98,595 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,535 | $45,231 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,475/sq mi | 1,365/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $283,600 | $351,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,616 | $1,724 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.8% | 75.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 35.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 5.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 89°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 28°F | 28°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.8" | 45.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 14 mi | 9 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.9 min | 25.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.1 | 41.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 11 | 18 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 16.64 | 13.63 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 36.2% | 83.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 51.1% | 82.4% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 83.4% | 26.5% | 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.
Mechanicsville
Elevated or high exposure: drought, earthquake.
Your best match
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Laurel
67
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Area Score
Mechanicsville
84
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Laurel, VA · Mechanicsville, VA · How this is calculated: methodology