Village · New York
Potsdam, New York
Potsdam, village, in St. Lawrence County, New York. Potsdam had 8,019 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 8,312 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 8,427 (±41). GEOID 3659564.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,019
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,312 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,427 ±41
Median household income
$34,546
±$9,432 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$146,400
±$24,620 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$898
±$107 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Potsdam and what county is it in?
Potsdam is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York. It covers 4.9 square miles of land, 1,690 residents per square mile in 2020.
Potsdam is in the Massena-Ogdensburg, NY micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Potsdam lies entirely within the Town of Potsdam, a town with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Potsdam, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 8,019 people lived in Potsdam on July 1, 2025, down 5.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020 Census counted 8,312 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 8,427 (±41).
| Measure | Potsdam | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,427 ±41 | 107,226 | −727 |
| Households | 2,483 ±279 | 41,666 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.81 ±0.15 | 2.32 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 2,865 ±286 | 51,970 | no clear change |
Potsdam's population since 2000
From 9,425 in 2000 to 8,019 in 2025: down 14.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Potsdam 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 Potsdam?
The median resident of Potsdam is 21.7 years old; 7.9% are under 18 and 10.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.1%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 6.6%. 12.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Potsdam | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 21.7 ±0.4 | 39.3 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 7.9% ±2.1 pts | 19.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.0% ±2.6 pts | 18.8% | – |
| Male | 49.9% ±3.8 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.2% ±1.4 pts | 2.5% | −2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.1% ±2.9 pts | 91.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7% ±2.1 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.6% ±1.7 pts | 1.1% | +2.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±1.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.3% ±2.8 pts | 3.7% | +5.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.7% ±2.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7% ±3.9 pts | 17.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.2% ±2.1 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2% ±5.9 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 51.8% ±7.0 pts | 25.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 30.7% ±5.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 72.0% ±5.1 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8% ±1.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
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 Potsdam earn?
Half of Potsdam's 2,483 households earn less than $34,546 a year (±$9,432), against $62,850 in St. Lawrence County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $39,729 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 29.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Potsdam | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $34,546 ±$9,432 | $62,850 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $57,390 ±$9,003 | $82,664 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,220 ±$2,613 | $33,177 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 29.0% ±8.6 pts | 16.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.4% ±17.7 pts | 20.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.6% ±5.9 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.2% ±7.3 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5% ±7.5 pts | 86.8% | – |
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 Potsdam?
Owners occupy 34.4% of Potsdam's occupied homes and renters 65.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $146,400 by its owner (±$24,620). The median renter pays $898 a month including utilities, and 67.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Potsdam | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $146,400 ±$24,620 | $121,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $898 ±$107 | $818 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 67.1% ±8.9 pts | 40.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,426 ±$154 | $1,330 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 34.4% ±7.8 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 65.6% ±7.8 pts | 28.1% | – |
| Housing units | 2,865 ±286 | 51,970 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.7% ±5.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6% ±3.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 38.1% ±7.0 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% ±1.2 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.4% ±2.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.1% ±6.0 pts | 30.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 23.2% ±7.1 pts | 10.1% | – |
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 Potsdam building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Potsdam in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 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 Potsdam work and get to work?
52.0% of Potsdam's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Potsdam | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.8% ±4.3 pts | 53.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% ±3.1 pts | 5.3% | −4.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 52.0% ±5.5 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4% ±3.8 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 28.5% ±6.1 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9% ±3.4 pts | 7.3% | +4.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.8 min ±2.8 | 21.0 min | +4.2 min |
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 Potsdam?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Potsdam, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4909St. Lawrence County | 3,241 | $38,797 |
| Tract 4911St. Lawrence County | 2,197 | not published |
| Tract 4912St. Lawrence County | 1,404 | not published |
| Tract 4908St. Lawrence County | 3,500 | $55,139 |
| Tract 4910St. Lawrence County | 4,477 | $60,813 |
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 Potsdam) · Census block assignment files
How does Potsdam compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Potsdam is the 3,738th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 110th-most populous of 594 in New York.
Potsdam ranks 1,619th 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 | 110th | 594 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,198th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 497th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,619th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 1,624th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 1,327th | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 1,116th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 40th | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 308th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,623rd | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,620th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 818th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,592nd | 1,652 |
Potsdam's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Potsdam 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 Potsdam?
10 of the 57 figures for Potsdam 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 Potsdam 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' public schools in Potsdam.