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CITY · 2020 ACS

Saranac Lake

New York · 4,887 residents · 2.911 sq mi
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The short version

Saranac Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,209. Population has declined 3% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $162,600. Households here earn about 28% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,887
−3%since 2000
from 5,041 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,679 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 1,732 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.5
+10%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Saranac Lake
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,209
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,754 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,435
+73%since 2000
from $17,590 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.1%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 25.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Retail trade1.3%
US avg: 10%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$162,600
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$726
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 45.8% in 2000
55.4% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+21%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Saranac Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(4,848)
Black0.7%(37)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(54)
Asian0.4%(22)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.6%(283)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.1%(4,355)
Black1.2%(58)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(127)
Asian0.7%(33)
Other4%(194)
Diversity Score20.3%(994)
Diversity Score
20
+263%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 27.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.6%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
18.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+38%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.7%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 69.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.9%
−29.2 ptssince 2009
from 66.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
Female
46.5%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.4%
−83.4 ptssince 2013
from 87.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Saranac Lake to nearby cities

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Income$57,630+13%
Home value$195,900+20%
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SARANAC LAKE VS
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SARANAC LAKE VS
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Home value$443,400+173%
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SARANAC LAKE VS
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Income$79,522+55%
Home value$381,500+135%
Population8,239+72%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Saranac Lake, New York?

Saranac Lake, New York has about 4,887 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Saranac Lake, New York?

The typical household in Saranac Lake, New York earns about $51,209 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Saranac Lake, New York expensive?

In Saranac Lake, New York, the median home is worth about $162,600, and the typical rent is about $726 a month.

How educated are people in Saranac Lake, New York?

About 34.1% of adults age 25 and over in Saranac Lake, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Saranac Lake, New York?

About 19.4% of people in Saranac Lake, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Saranac Lake, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Saranac Lake, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 490 residents, a change of about -9 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 →