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CITY · 2020 ACS

Potsdam

New York · 8,312 residents · 4.918 sq mi
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The short version

Potsdam has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $25,850. Population has declined 12% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $117,300. At a median age of 21.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 29.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 64% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 21.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,312
−12%since 2000
from 9,425 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,690 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 1,916 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
21.4
−1%since 2000
from 21.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K9K9K10K10K1990201020202024Potsdam
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,850
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,273 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,960
+57%since 2000
from $10,824 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.1%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 34.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade4.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$117,300
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$689
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
33.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 32.2% in 2000
66.4% rent
Afford Score
4.5
+31%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.6%(6,031)
Black10.4%(866)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(511)
Asian5.1%(428)
Other3.6%(298)
Diversity Score53.9%(4,477)
Diversity Score
54
+180%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
42.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 41.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
28.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 25.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.6 min
+17%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
53.1%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.4%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 12.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
46.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 48.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.5%
−21.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.9%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
Female
48.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
Foreign born
6.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.7%
−92.9 ptssince 2013
from 94.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Potsdam to nearby cities

POTSDAM VS
Massena
Income$51,458+99%
Home value$94,400−20%
Population9,898+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTSDAM VS
Ogdensburg
Income$61,824+139%
Home value$85,400−27%
Population9,123+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTSDAM VS
Fort Drum
Income$62,291+141%
Home value$156,600+34%
Population16,065+100%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTSDAM VS
Watertown
Income$51,753+100%
Home value$158,600+35%
Population23,517+193%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Potsdam, New York?

Potsdam, New York has about 8,312 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Potsdam, New York earns about $25,850 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 $117,300, and the typical rent is about $689 a month.

How educated are people in Potsdam, New York?

About 42.3% 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 29.1% 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 1,939 residents, a change of about -19 percent over that period.

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

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