Town · New York
Town of North Elba, New York
North Elba (town), town, in Essex County, New York. North Elba (town) had 7,768 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,480 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,540 (±40). GEOID 3603151935.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,768
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,480 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,540 ±40
Median household income
$72,843
±$10,014 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$431,600
±$53,208 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,073
±$71 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is North Elba (town) and what county is it in?
North Elba (town) is a town in Essex County, New York. It covers 151.7 square miles of land, 49 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside the Town of North Elba: Lake Placid (village, 2,205 in 2020). Part of Saranac Lake (village) also lies in it.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in North Elba (town), and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,768 people lived in North Elba (town) on July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. The 2020 Census counted 7,480 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,540 (±40).
| Measure | North Elba (town) | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,540±40 | 36,973 | −675 |
| Households | 3,308±200 | 16,342 | +679 |
| Average household size | 1.82±0.11 | 2.12 | −0.47 |
| Housing units | 4,893±234 | 25,484 | no clear change |
North Elba (town)'s population since 2000
From 8,661 in 2000 to 7,768 in 2025: down 10.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for North Elba (town) as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in North Elba (town)?
The median resident of North Elba (town) is 42.1 years old; 12.5% are under 18 and 20.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.8%. 9.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | North Elba (town) | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1±3.6 | 49.9 | +5.6 |
| Under 18 years | 12.5%±1.9 pts | 15.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.3%±2.7 pts | 26.4% | – |
| Male | 57.9%±2.6 pts | 51.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.6%±1.1 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.6%±2.1 pts | 91.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.8%±1.2 pts | 1.9% | −2.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.6%±2.3 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.2%±2.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1%±1.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6%±2.9 pts | 17.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5%±2.5 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.2%±2.9 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.9%±4.6 pts | 32.8% | +7.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.5%±3.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.0%±3.0 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±1.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in North Elba (town) earn?
Half of North Elba (town)'s 3,308 households earn less than $72,843 a year (±$10,014), against $71,661 in Essex County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $73,280 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | North Elba (town) | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,843±$10,014 | $71,661 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $105,058±$15,422 | $95,557 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,239±$7,433 | $42,694 | +$12,893 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.5%±3.3 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.6%±9.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.3%±3.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9%±2.1 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.2%±2.6 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in North Elba (town)?
Owners occupy 60.8% of North Elba (town)'s occupied homes and renters 39.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $431,600 by its owner (±$53,208). The median renter pays $1,073 a month including utilities, and 49.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | North Elba (town) | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $431,600±$53,208 | $211,900 | +$163,063 |
| Median gross rent | $1,073±$71 | $934 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.8%±11.7 pts | 41.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,239±$378 | $1,601 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.8%±6.0 pts | 77.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.2%±6.0 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Housing units | 4,893±234 | 25,484 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.9 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±3.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.7%±5.5 pts | 79.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8%±1.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.9%±2.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.5%±5.5 pts | 29.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.4%±3.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is North Elba (town) building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units in North Elba (town) in 2025 (18 in single-family houses), 2.3 per 1,000 residents against 1.9 across New York.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in North Elba (town) work and get to work?
63.8% of North Elba (town)'s workers drive alone and 16.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.5 minutes.
| Measure | North Elba (town) | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.3%±3.7 pts | 55.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.7%±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 63.8%±6.8 pts | 70.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.0%±3.1 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9%±2.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 8.1%±3.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.7%±4.8 pts | 13.2% | +8.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.5 min±3.0 | 22.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in North Elba (town)?
4 census tracts lie mostly in North Elba (town) (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $50,500 (Tract 9604.01) to $106,395 (Tract 9605.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9605.02Essex County | 3,290 | $106,395 |
| Tract 9605.01Essex County | 2,186 | $76,830 |
| Tract 9604.02Essex County | 1,062 | $52,277 |
| Tract 9604.01Essex County | 1,002 | $50,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in North Elba (town)) · Census block assignment files
How does North Elba (town) compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, North Elba (town) is the 1,593rd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 189th-most populous of 924 in New York.
North Elba (town) ranks 1,047th of 1,623 places in New York with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 189th | 924 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 68th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 1,416th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,047th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 683rd | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 416th | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 817th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 692nd | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 601st | 1,640 |
| Median age | 989th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,390th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 361st | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,616th | 1,652 |
North Elba (town)'s figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare North Elba (town) with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for North Elba (town)?
9 of the 57 figures for North Elba (town) on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for North Elba (town) are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.