Sussex County, Delaware
Laurel, Delaware
Laurel is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 3,865 residents. Sussex County lists Laurel among its 25 municipalities, and the town's official website is linked below. SussexCounty.ai is an independent site and is not the county government.
Key facts
- Type
- Incorporated municipality
- County
- Sussex County, Delaware
- 2020 population
- 3,865 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://www.townoflaurel.net/
- Current officials
- See the town website
Ask SussexCounty.ai
Look up Sussex County building permits by PIN on the permits page. Official records are kept by Sussex County at sussexcountyde.gov.
Go deeper on Laurel
- Land use and zoning (16 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (12 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (16 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (18 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 1,496 tax parcels in Laurel, covering 1,677.5 mapped acres (median parcel 0.213 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Laurel, see Laurel on The Sussex Ledger. The Sussex Ledger is a publication of The Conscient Group LLC, which also publishes SussexCounty.ai.
Terms used in Sussex County property records
Tax map parcel number, zoning district, building permit, FEMA flood zone and realty transfer tax. See the full Sussex County glossary, official sources and weather and hazard sources.
Questions about Laurel
The basics
Is Laurel a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Laurel is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Laurel town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Laurel, Delaware in?
Laurel is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Laurel in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 3,865 residents in Laurel (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Laurel?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 1,496 tax parcels in Laurel (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Laurel?
Sussex County issues building permits countywide, including inside municipalities, per the county building permits page. Check with the town as well for any town requirements.
Government, zoning and services
Where is Laurel Town Hall?
Town Hall is at 201 Mechanic Street, Laurel, DE 19956, phone 302.875.2277, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Source: townoflaurel.net.
When does Laurel Mayor and Council meet?
The Mayor & Council Meetings page lists specific dates at 7:00 p.m. and does not state a standing weekday. Check that page for the current list. Source: townoflaurel.net.
Who handles planning and zoning in Laurel?
The Planning & Code Enforcement department handles it, with a Planning Commission and a Board of Adjustment for variances. Posted Planning Commission agendas fall on the second Wednesday of the month. Source: townoflaurel.net.
Does Laurel have its own zoning code?
Yes. The town site has a Code Book page and a Zoning & Subdivision page. Building permits are required for most construction and the town enforces "all 2009 International Codes." Source: townoflaurel.net, townoflaurel.net.
Who collects trash in Laurel?
The town FAQ says pickup is Tuesdays east of Central Avenue and Fridays on the west side. It permits household waste only on the weekly route. Source: townoflaurel.net.
History and lore
When was Laurel founded and incorporated?
The town says Laurel was founded in 1683 and incorporated April 13, 1883. The Delaware Public Archives adds that Barkley Townsend divided the old Broad Creek Wading Place into 32 lots in 1789. Source: townoflaurel.net, archives.delaware.gov.
How did Laurel get its name?
By about 1799 the village had taken the name Laurel from the laurel bushes that grew along the banks of Broad Creek. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What is the Nanticoke connection to Laurel?
From 1711 to 1768 the Laurel site was part of a 3,000-acre Nanticoke Indian Reservation authorized by the Maryland Assembly. In 1789 Barkley Townsend laid out 32 lots at Broad Creek Wading Place, a former Indian settlement. Source: archives.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
What was the Great Fire of 1899 in Laurel?
In summer 1899 a knocked-over kerosene lamp started a fire that destroyed the entire north side of Market Street, since the town had no firefighting equipment. The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department was organized October 25, 1899. Source: townoflaurel.net.
Which Delaware governors came from Laurel?
The town's history page names Nathaniel Mitchell (1805-1808), John Collins (1821-1825), William Barkley Cooper, William Ross, and Elbert N. Carvel. The town homepage says six governors have called Laurel home. Source: townoflaurel.net, townoflaurel.net.
Events, holidays and occasions
Does Laurel have a Fourth of July parade and fireworks?
Yes. Laurel holds a July 4 parade and fireworks over the lake at dusk, at Janosik Park. A 2026 listing gave a 3 p.m. parade, while a 2024 listing gave 7 p.m., so confirm the time each year. Source: wdel.com, sussex.macaronikid.com.
When is the Laurel Christmas parade?
It has been hosted by the Laurel Fire Department in early December (December 1 at 7 p.m. in a 2017 listing). No current date was found, so confirm with the town or fire department. Source: wboc.com.
What outdoor events are held near Laurel?
Southern Delaware Tourism lists the Party at the Pond Jeep Jamboree at Trap Pond State Park in April and the Broad Creek Bike and Brew ride in June. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Does Laurel hold Halloween events?
Laurel's town site announced a Community Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with Bryan's Bowling Center. Source: townoflaurel.net.
Is Return Day a holiday in Laurel?
Return Day is a Sussex County legal holiday under Delaware Code Title 1, Section 501: the second day after the General Election, after 12:00 noon. It falls on the Thursday after Election Day in even-numbered years, and in 2026 that is November 5. The main celebration is held in Georgetown. Source: delcode.delaware.gov, visitsoutherndelaware.com, dagsboro.delaware.gov.
Weather, geography and hazards
What is the climate like in Laurel, Delaware?
Using NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals from the Georgetown Delaware Coastal Airport station, the nearest of the stations we use, the average January low is 28.6 degrees F and the average July high is 87.7 degrees F. Annual precipitation averages 43.88 inches. The station is not inside Laurel, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Laurel get per year?
The Georgetown airport normals table we use for Laurel does not publish snowfall. The nearest station we fetched with a 1991 to 2020 snowfall normal is the Salisbury, Maryland (Wicomico Regional Airport) station, at 8.0 inches a year. Treat that as a regional reference, not a measurement for Laurel. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
Is Laurel in a flood zone?
Part of Laurel may sit in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and the answer depends on the address, so we do not give a town-wide yes or no. The USGS elevation at the town's Census center point is about 33 feet. Look up a specific property in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the DNREC Delaware Flood Planning Tool. Source: msc.fema.gov, floodplanning.dnrec.delaware.gov, epqs.nationalmap.gov.
Is Laurel in a hurricane evacuation zone?
Delaware labels hurricane evacuation zones A, B, C and D, and describes them as low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. The state page does not list communities by zone, so we cannot say which zone Laurel or a given address falls in. Use the Know Your Zone lookup tool or interactive map to check an address. Source: preparede.org, dema.delaware.gov.
What body of water is Laurel on?
Laurel is laid out along Broad Creek, according to the Delaware Public Archives town history, which places the village of Brooklyn and North Laurel on the creek's north side. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves Laurel?
Laurel is in the Laurel School District. Its schools include Laurel Senior High School. Source: explore.education.delaware.gov.
What ZIP code covers Laurel?
Laurel uses ZIP code 19956. Source: explore.education.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
Is there a public library in Laurel?
Yes. Laurel Public Library is at 101 E. 4th St. Source: sussexcounty.lib.de.us.
Is there public transit in Laurel?
A 2018 state release lists DART First State Route 212 serving Laurel and Delmar, along with Seaford, Bridgeville and Blades. Riders connect to other routes at the Georgetown hub. Source: news.delaware.gov.
What parks or outdoor areas are in or near Laurel?
Trap Pond State Park is near Laurel. Delaware State Parks says it has the northernmost naturally occurring stand of baldcypress in the U.S., a nature center, canoe, kayak and pedalboat rentals, and a campground with over 142 sites. Source: destateparks.com.