Laurel, NE

Laurel is a quiet Cedar County town in northeast Nebraska with a population of just under 1,000. Situated at the crossroads of Highways 15 and 20, it gives residents a classic small-town feel alongside straightforward access to bigger surrounding cities. Sioux City is about 45 minutes east, Norfolk is a similar drive to the southwest, and Wayne State College sits just 15 minutes south. Families are served by the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge school district, which houses both its elementary and high schools right in town.

ATTRAmmodramus / Public domain

Originally founded in the 1890s as a railroad stop, Laurel has settled into a comfortable, close-knit farming community. Downtown features local shops, everyday services, and a grocery store, while the local parks, golf course, and community pool offer plenty of places to spend time outdoors. It is the kind of town where neighbors look out for each other, and having three states within an hour's drive makes weekend trips and commutes simple.