Laurel was platted in 1836 by James Conwell, a native of Maryland.

[4] The last wild passenger pigeon, once the most common bird in North America, was shot near Laurel in 1902.

[6] According to the 2010 census, Laurel has a total area of 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2), all land.

There were 227 housing units at an average density of 945.8 per square mile (365.2/km2).

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.

There were 220 housing units at an average density of 925.1 per square mile (357.2/km2).

17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.