Laurel is a city in Cedar County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 964 at the 2010 census. Laurel is located at 42°25′41″N 97°5′35″W / 42.42806°N 97.09306°W / 42.42806; -97.09306 (42.427966, -97.093053). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²), all land.