Town · New York
Town of Potsdam, New York
Potsdam (town), town, in St. Lawrence County, New York. Potsdam (town) had 14,367 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 14,901 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 14,819 (±25). GEOID 3608959575.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,367
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,901 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,819 ±25
Median household income
$53,302
±$11,004 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$143,400
±$14,883 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$920
±$86 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Potsdam (town) and what county is it in?
Potsdam (town) is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York. It covers 101.4 square miles of land, 147 residents per square mile in 2020.
2 places lie inside the Town of Potsdam: Potsdam (village, 8,312 in 2020) and Norwood (village, 1,552 in 2020).
Potsdam (town) is in the Massena-Ogdensburg, NY micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Potsdam (town), and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 14,367 people lived in Potsdam (town) on July 1, 2025, down 3.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020 Census counted 14,901 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 14,819 (±25).
| Measure | Potsdam (town) | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,819±25 | 107,226 | −748 |
| Households | 5,185±317 | 41,666 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.07±0.11 | 2.32 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,864±324 | 51,970 | no clear change |
Potsdam (town)'s population since 2000
From 15,957 in 2000 to 14,367 in 2025: down 10.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Potsdam (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 Potsdam (town)?
The median resident of Potsdam (town) is 25.9 years old; 14.5% are under 18 and 14.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.9%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 4.7%. 8.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Potsdam (town) | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 25.9±2.6 | 39.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 14.5%±2.0 pts | 19.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.6%±1.9 pts | 18.8% | – |
| Male | 51.1%±2.4 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1%±1.1 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.9%±2.0 pts | 91.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.8%±1.2 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.7%±1.2 pts | 1.1% | +2.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.1%±1.7 pts | 3.7% | +2.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.0%±1.7 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4%±2.3 pts | 17.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4%±1.7 pts | 6.0% | +3.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3%±2.7 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.9%±4.1 pts | 25.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.3%±3.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 80.9%±3.0 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.7 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 (town) earn?
Half of Potsdam (town)'s 5,185 households earn less than $53,302 a year (±$11,004), against $62,850 in St. Lawrence County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,429 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $13,127 after inflation. 20.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Potsdam (town) | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,302±$11,004 | $62,850 | −$13,127 |
| Mean household income | $72,780±$6,595 | $82,664 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,485±$2,250 | $33,177 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.4%±4.3 pts | 16.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9%±7.3 pts | 20.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.8%±3.3 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.2%±4.0 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±4.0 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 (town)?
Owners occupy 56.3% of Potsdam (town)'s occupied homes and renters 43.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $143,400 by its owner (±$14,883). The median renter pays $920 a month including utilities, and 57.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Potsdam (town) | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $143,400±$14,883 | $121,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $920±$86 | $818 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 57.0%±8.3 pts | 40.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,406±$118 | $1,330 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.3%±4.8 pts | 71.9% | −7.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.7%±4.8 pts | 28.1% | – |
| Housing units | 5,864±324 | 51,970 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9%±3.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.8%±4.7 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.1%±2.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.7%±2.2 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.3%±3.5 pts | 30.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.0%±3.8 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 (town) building?
Builders took permits for 21 new housing units in Potsdam (town) in 2025 (19 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 10 of 12 months), 1.5 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 (town) work and get to work?
60.9% of Potsdam (town)'s workers drive alone and 8.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Potsdam (town) | St. Lawrence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.4%±2.9 pts | 53.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±1.9 pts | 5.3% | −4.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 60.9%±4.0 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.9%±3.2 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 16.7%±3.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.4%±2.3 pts | 7.3% | +3.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.5 min±2.2 | 21.0 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 Potsdam (town)?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Potsdam (town) (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,797 (Tract 4909) to $60,813 (Tract 4910).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4910St. Lawrence County | 4,477 | $60,813 |
| Tract 4908St. Lawrence County | 3,500 | $55,139 |
| Tract 4909St. Lawrence County | 3,241 | $38,797 |
| Tract 4911St. Lawrence County | 2,197 | not published |
| Tract 4912St. Lawrence County | 1,404 | not published |
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 (town)) · Census block assignment files
How does Potsdam (town) compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Potsdam (town) is the 880th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 105th-most populous of 924 in New York.
Potsdam (town) ranks 1,509th 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 | 105th | 924 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,145th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 1,093rd | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,509th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 1,572nd | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 1,342nd | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 1,057th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 151st | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 627th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,603rd | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,457th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 1,066th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,535th | 1,652 |
Potsdam (town)'s figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Potsdam (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 Potsdam (town)?
6 of the 57 figures for Potsdam (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 Potsdam (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.