United States › New York › Potsdam CITY · 2020 ACS
Potsdam New York · 8,312 residents · 4.92 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO 1990 Census 2000 Census 2009 ACS 2010 ACS 2011 ACS 2012 ACS 2013 ACS 2014 ACS 2015 ACS 2016 ACS 2017 ACS 2018 ACS 2019 ACS 2021 ACS 2022 ACS 2023 ACS 2024 ACS
The short version
With 8,312 people, Potsdam is a city in New York. The median age is 21.4, younger than the US median of 38.8. Owners hold 34% of the housing stock. That trails the New York median by roughly 64%. 29.1% of residents live below the federal poverty line. People stay put here: 70% were in the same home a year ago.
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 from 21.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K 9K 9K 10K 10K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Potsdam Age distribution, 2020
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Section 02
Income & economy $25,850
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,273 in 2000
US average: $66,278
from $10,824 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
from 34.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Professional, scientific, technical 3.6%
Arts, entertainment, food 2.7%
Public administration 1.3%
Transportation & warehousing 0.9%
Education & health services 0.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing 0.3%
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$117,300
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
$689
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397 in 2000
US average: $1,124
from 32.2% in 2000
66.4% rent
from 2.10 people in 2009
US average: 2.61
from 4.1 in 2009
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 2000
White, non-Hispanic 90.6%(8,541)
Hispanic / Latino 1.8%(165)
2020
White, non-Hispanic 72.6%(6,031)
Hispanic / Latino 6.1%(511)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Ancestry
+ 30 more ancestry groups with data from 41.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
from 25.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07
Work & employment from 12.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
from 48.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
US average: 73.3%
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08
People & community from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
from 5.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Computer in household
US average: 91.9%
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married 77.8%(3,077)
Women 15+
Never married 69.1%(2,772)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09
Health coverage from 5.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Direct-purchase
US average: 13.7%
VA health care
US average: 2.3%
Any private
US average: 68.1%
Any public
US average: 35.2%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2020
Gulf War (2001 or later) 30.8%(44)
Gulf War (1990s) 11.9%(17)
Share of the 143 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Potsdam Head to head
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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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