Signals
Mechanicsville
Laurel
Climate
75 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 28%
Physical resilience
82 · Top 20%
vs85 · Top 16%
Housing affordability
87 · Top 39%
vs71 · Bottom 36%
Schools
91 · Top 3%
vs21 · Bottom 12%
Access
97 · Top 29%
vs94 · Top 40%
Economic stability
73 · Top 22%
vs71 · Top 27%
Measured values
| Metric | Mechanicsville | Laurel | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,683 | 18,721 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $98,595 | $73,609 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,231 | $38,535 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,365/sq mi | 3,475/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $351,000 | $283,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,724 | $1,616 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.5% | 51.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.8% | 29.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 8.4% | 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 | 9 mi | 14 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.6 min | 24.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 18 | 11 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 13.63 | 16.64 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 83.1% | 36.2% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 82.4% | 51.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 26.5% | 83.4% | 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
Mechanicsville
Elevated or high exposure: drought, earthquake.
Laurel
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Mechanicsville
84
Your Score
—
Area Score
Laurel
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Mechanicsville, VA · Laurel, VA · How this is calculated: methodology