Saranac Lake, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Saranac Lake, New York had a total population of 4,965, the 358th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $61,967, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Saranac Lake Quick Facts
How Saranac Lake 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 | 5,099 | 4,965 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $60,494 | $61,967 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $188,900 | $199,900 | +5.8% |
How Saranac Lake 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+)
Saranac Lake Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malone | 5,429 | $60,548 | 22.2% | $107,600 |
| Tupper Lake | 2,929 | $56,902 | 22.5% | $117,300 |
| Fort Covington | 1,041 | $68,750 | 14.1% | $112,500 |
| Chateaugay | 724 | $79,643 | 23.6% | $132,100 |
| Paul Smiths | 623 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Brushton | 504 | $54,635 | 22.6% | $111,200 |
| St. Regis Falls | 316 | $55,625 | 9.5% | $102,600 |
| Burke | 165 | $66,250 | 11.5% | $126,400 |
Cities Similar to Saranac Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 5,142 | $64,913 | $181,900 | 15.9% | 14.6% |
| Penn Yan | 4,714 | $60,190 | $152,700 | 21.8% | 12.8% |
| Wellsville | 4,923 | $55,096 | $91,200 | 25.8% | 19.9% |
| Hamlin | 4,987 | $73,314 | $134,500 | 22.1% | 14.7% |
| Chittenango | 4,831 | $70,786 | $182,500 | 31.3% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Saranac Lake is a small community located in New York, within Franklin County. The total population is 4,965. It ranks as the 358th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Saranac Lake is 40.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Saranac Lake is $61,967. This is 28% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $199,900. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 47.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Saranac Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.3% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
46.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 91.3%. Notably, 22.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Saranac Lake, 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 Saranac Lake, New York?
Saranac Lake, New York has a population of 4,965 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Saranac Lake, NY?
The median household income in Saranac Lake is $61,967, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Saranac Lake, NY?
The poverty rate in Saranac Lake is 17.7%. This means approximately 851 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Saranac Lake, New York?
Saranac Lake's population is 90.3% White, 0.8% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Saranac Lake, NY?
The median home value in Saranac Lake is $199,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Saranac Lake, New York?
46.8% of adults (25+) in Saranac Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.