Potsdam, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Potsdam, New York had a total population of 8,427, the 235th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $34,546, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Potsdam Quick Facts
How Potsdam Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,507 | 8,427 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $32,061 | $34,546 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $144,200 | $146,400 | +1.5% |
How Potsdam Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Potsdam Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in St. Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massena | 10,238 | $51,458 | 24.3% | $94,400 |
| Ogdensburg | 9,455 | $61,824 | 16.1% | $85,400 |
| Canton | 7,167 | $62,054 | 19.8% | $183,800 |
| Akwesasne | 4,089 | $51,868 | 32.0% | $177,800 |
| Gouverneur | 3,615 | $35,752 | 27.3% | $107,200 |
| Norwood | 1,374 | $54,375 | 17.3% | $100,800 |
| Norfolk | 1,204 | $59,491 | 14.2% | $88,700 |
| Waddington | 1,062 | $73,750 | 6.3% | $182,300 |
| Brasher Falls | 776 | $52,868 | 13.2% | $98,000 |
| Hannawa Falls | 744 | $98,450 | 6.3% | $180,800 |
Cities Similar to Potsdam
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University | 9,530 | N/A | N/A | 57.7% | N/A |
| Binghamton University | 7,449 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| University at Buffalo | 7,020 | N/A | N/A | 95.7% | 48.5% |
| Port Jervis | 8,652 | $47,917 | $236,700 | 15.8% | 22.2% |
| Hornell | 8,152 | $47,385 | $94,500 | 21.9% | 23.3% |
Population Overview
Potsdam is a small city located in New York, within St. Lawrence County. The total population is 8,427. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Potsdam is 21.7 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 7.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Potsdam is $34,546. This is 60% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $146,400. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 34.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Potsdam is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.1% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
51.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.2%. Notably, 30.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Potsdam, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Potsdam, New York?
Potsdam, New York has a population of 8,427 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Potsdam, NY?
The median household income in Potsdam is $34,546, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Potsdam, NY?
The poverty rate in Potsdam is 29.0%. This means approximately 1,312 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Potsdam, New York?
Potsdam's population is 81.1% White, 4.7% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Potsdam, NY?
The median home value in Potsdam is $146,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Potsdam, New York?
51.8% of adults (25+) in Potsdam hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.