Laurel is a town in Laurel Township, Franklin County, Indiana, United States. The population was 512 at the 2010 census. History Laurel was platted in 1836 by James Conwell, a native of Maryland. Conwell had first intended to name his settlement New Baltimore, but instead decided to call it Laurel, after the city of Laurel, Maryland. The last wild passenger pigeon, once the most common bird in North America, was shot near Laurel in 1902. The Laurel post office was established in 1837. Geography Laurel is located at (39.500936, -85.186895). According to the 2010 census, Laurel has a total area of , all land. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 512 people, 196 households, and 134 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 227 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population. There were 196 households, of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 10.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08. The median age in the town was 34.8 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.9% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 13.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.0% male and 49.0% female. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 579 people, 201 households, and 155 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 220 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.96% White, 0.17% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population. There were 201 households, out of which 41.3% had children under the