Laurens is a city in Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States.

It was named in honor of Henry and John Laurens, father and son, two French Huguenots who became residents of Charleston, South Carolina, and were loyal to the Colonies during the Revolution.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2), all land.

There were 691 housing units at an average density of 913.0 per square mile (352.5/km2).

There were 677 housing units at an average density of 927.4 per square mile (358.1/km2).

There were 711 housing units at an average density of 963.1 per square mile (371.9/km2).

The racial makup of the city was 98.68% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% Asian, and 0.75% from two or more races.

[11] It was a part of the Laurens Community School District until its consolidation into Laurens–Marathon on July 1, 1976.

[13] Laurens was the home of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man famous for travelling 240 miles (390 km) on a lawnmower.

His story was made into the film The Straight Story (1999), directed by David Lynch and starring Richard Farnsworth (who received an Oscar-nomination for his performance) and Sissy Spacek.