Laurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Also, a steady influx of Hispanic immigrant labor over the last few years has been reported. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of Jackson on Tallahala Creek, Laurel was founded in 1882. Laurel's major employers include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Masonite Corporation, Family Health Center and South Central Regional Medical Center. An American Indian reservation is located in nearby Sandersville.

Laurel is the birthplace of many celebrities including Lance Bass of the pop group NSYNC. It was the childhood home of opera legend Leontyne Price. Laurel was also home to James Street; Sportswriter Ed Hinton; Tom Lester who played "Eb" on the sitcom Green Acres; actress Parker Posey; and Olympic Gold Medalist Ralph Boston. Actor Ray Walston was also born in Laurel though some claim he was born in New Orleans, where he spent his childhood.

Laurel is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi's oldest art museum.