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CITY

Potsdam

New York · 8,019 residents (2025 est.) · 4.918 sq mi
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Part of the Massena micropolitan area
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Notable rankings
#57Youngest by median ageof 6,82621.7#102Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-11.8%#338Shortest commutesof 6,82615.8
The short version

Potsdam has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,546. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $146,400. At a median age of 21.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 60% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 21.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,427
−11%since 2000
from 9,425 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,714 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 1,916 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
21.7
Unchangedsince 2000
from 21.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:8,019 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K9K9K10K10K1990201020202024Potsdam
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,546
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,273 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,220
+87%since 2000
from $10,824 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.9%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
29.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 34.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.521
−4%since 2010
from 0.544 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade2.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade2.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,400
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$898
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
34.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 32.2% in 2000
65.6% rent
Vacancy rate
13.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.5%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
69.2%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+22%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Potsdam on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(8,541)
Black2.4%(228)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(165)
Asian3.9%(364)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.2%(1,811)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.1%(6,838)
Black4.7%(397)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(357)
Asian6.6%(553)
Other3.3%(282)
Diversity Score41.5%(3,499)
Diversity Score
42
+116%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.8%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 41.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.2%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
30.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 25.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.8 min
+36%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
52.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
28.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
23.2%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 12.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 48.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.6%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
Female
50.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
Foreign born
12.3%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
0.5%
−55.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.7%
+6.3 ptssince 2012
from 9.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.2%
−90.4 ptssince 2013
from 94.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.5%
+9.0 ptssince 2017
from 76.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 87.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Potsdam to nearby cities

POTSDAM VS
Massena
Income$51,458+49%
Home value$94,400−36%
Population9,898+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTSDAM VS
Ogdensburg
Income$61,824+79%
Home value$85,400−42%
Population9,123+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTSDAM VS
Fort Drum
Income$62,291+80%
Home value$156,600+7%
Population16,065+100%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTSDAM VS
Watertown
Income$51,753+50%
Home value$158,600+8%
Population23,517+193%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Potsdam, New York?

Potsdam, New York has about 8,427 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Potsdam, New York?

The typical household in Potsdam, New York earns about $34,546 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Potsdam, New York expensive?

In Potsdam, New York, the median home is worth about $146,400, and the typical rent is about $898 a month.

How educated are people in Potsdam, New York?

About 51.8% of adults age 25 and over in Potsdam, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Potsdam, New York?

About 29.0% of people in Potsdam, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Potsdam, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Potsdam, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,824 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →