Village · New York
Saranac Lake, New York
Saranac Lake, village, mostly in Franklin County (72.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Essex County, New York. Saranac Lake had 4,793 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,887 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,965 (±406). GEOID 3665233.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,793
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,887 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,965 ±406
Median household income
$61,967
±$7,343 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$199,900
±$24,650 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$853
±$29 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Saranac Lake and what county is it in?
Saranac Lake is a village mostly in Franklin County (72.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Essex County, New York. It covers 2.9 square miles of land, 1,679 residents per square mile in 2020.
Saranac Lake lies mostly within the Town of Harrietstown and reaches into the Town of North Elba and the Town of St. Armand, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 3,517 | 72.0% |
| Essex County | 1,370 | 28.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Saranac Lake, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,793 people lived in Saranac Lake on July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020 Census counted 4,887 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,965 (±406).
| Measure | Saranac Lake | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,965 ±406 | 46,696 | −735 |
| Households | 2,542 ±233 | 19,514 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.88 ±0.16 | 2.18 | −0.26 |
| Housing units | 2,819 ±245 | 25,494 | −366 |
Saranac Lake's population since 2000
From 5,041 in 2000 to 4,793 in 2025: down 4.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Saranac Lake 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 Saranac Lake?
The median resident of Saranac Lake is 40.7 years old; 16.6% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.6%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Saranac Lake | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 ±5.4 | 42.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.6% ±4.2 pts | 19.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4% ±3.3 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Male | 54.5% ±3.8 pts | 52.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% ±2.2 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.3% ±3.3 pts | 83.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±1.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±1.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±1.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1% ±1.2 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7% ±1.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3% ±2.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0% ±3.7 pts | 18.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4% ±3.2 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.3% ±3.1 pts | 86.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 46.8% ±6.0 pts | 23.8% | +14.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 22.2% ±4.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.4% ±3.8 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.7% ±2.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Saranac Lake earn?
Half of Saranac Lake's 2,542 households earn less than $61,967 a year (±$7,343), against $65,151 in Franklin County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $59,957 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Saranac Lake | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,967 ±$7,343 | $65,151 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,070 ±$7,086 | $80,125 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,920 ±$3,586 | $32,684 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.7% ±5.3 pts | 18.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.7% ±15.8 pts | 24.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.1% ±5.7 pts | 17.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 88.0% ±5.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4% ±5.5 pts | 86.4% | – |
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 Saranac Lake?
Owners occupy 47.2% of Saranac Lake's occupied homes and renters 52.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $199,900 by its owner (±$24,650). The median renter pays $853 a month including utilities, and 20.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Saranac Lake | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $199,900 ±$24,650 | $145,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $853 ±$29 | $843 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 20.7% ±6.9 pts | 28.9% | −25.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,644 ±$84 | $1,391 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.2% ±6.4 pts | 72.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 52.8% ±6.4 pts | 27.5% | – |
| Housing units | 2,819 ±245 | 25,494 | −366 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 43.7% ±4.9 pts | 70.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% ±2.8 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.6% ±0.9 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 59.2% ±7.5 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.7% ±4.0 pts | 10.6% | – |
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 Saranac Lake building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Saranac Lake 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 Saranac Lake work and get to work?
67.8% of Saranac Lake's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.8 minutes.
| Measure | Saranac Lake | Franklin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.0% ±4.9 pts | 52.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% ±3.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 67.8% ±7.8 pts | 75.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.7% ±5.6 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±1.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 11.0% ±4.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9% ±3.9 pts | 6.1% | +4.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.8 min ±2.0 | 20.7 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 Saranac Lake?
1 census tract lies mostly in Saranac Lake, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9509Franklin County | 3,198 | $70,379 |
| Tract 9510Franklin County | 2,024 | $66,343 |
| Tract 9604.01Essex County | 1,002 | $50,500 |
| Tract 9605.02Essex County | 3,290 | $106,395 |
| Tract 9603Essex County | 2,806 | $81,525 |
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 Saranac Lake) · Census block assignment files
How does Saranac Lake compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Saranac Lake is the 5,017th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 176th-most populous of 594 in New York.
Saranac Lake ranks 1,342nd 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 | 176th | 594 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,069th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 499th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,342nd | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 1,017th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 949th | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 1,206th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 231st | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 412th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,126th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,564th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 1,027th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,592nd | 1,652 |
Saranac Lake's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Saranac Lake 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 Saranac Lake?
12 of the 57 figures for Saranac Lake 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 Saranac Lake 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 Saranac Lake.