Laurel, Mississippi

Laurel, Mississippi
Nickname: 
"The City Beautiful"
Laurel
Location in the contiguous United States
Laurel
Location in Mississippi
Coordinates: 31°41′51″N 89°8′22″W / 31.69750°N 89.13944°W / 31.69750; -89.13944
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyJones
Incorporated1882
Government
  TypeMayor-Council
  MayorJohnny Magee (D)
Area
  Total
16.54 sq mi (42.83 km2)
  Land16.24 sq mi (42.05 km2)
  Water0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2)
Elevation
269 ft (82 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
17,161
  Density1,056.97/sq mi (408.10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
39440–39443
Area code(s)601, 769
FIPS code28-39640
GNIS feature ID0672321
Websitewww.laurelms.com

Laurel is a city in and the second county seat of Jones County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,161. Laurel is northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. It has the second county courthouse, as Jones County has two judicial districts. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which has jurisdiction in the county. Laurel is the principal city of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. Its major employers include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Masonite International, Family Health Center, Howse Implement, Thermo-Kool, and South Central Regional Medical Center. Laurel is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi's oldest art museum, established by the family of Lauren Eastman Rogers.