Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Saranac Lake, NY

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

4,965population

40.7median age

This community is a community of 4,965 with a median age of 40.7. The population is predominantly White (90.3%) with a significant Hispanic/Latino community (3.6%). Median household income is $61,967. 91.3% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 46.8% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 47.2%, with a median home value of $199,900.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

90.3%4,485

Hispanic/Latino

3.6%179

Two or More

3.3%162

Asian

1.6%78

Black

0.8%40

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.4%21

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4%146

High School Diploma

12.1%443

Some College (<1 yr)

3.6%133

Some College (1+ yr)

14.9%547

Associate's Degree

10%366

Bachelor's Degree

24.6%904

Master's Degree

18.3%674

Professional Degree

3.2%117

Doctorate

0.7%25

HS or Higher

91.3%

BA or Higher

46.8%

Graduate+

22.2%

Housingi

$199,900median home value

$853median rent

47.2%homeownership

2,819total units

9.8%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 47.2%

Renter 52.8%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.6%43

$50K–$100K

11.6%139

$100K–$150K

9.9%119

$150K–$200K

24.9%299

$200K–$300K

25.1%301

$300K–$500K

21.1%253

$500K–$1M

3.2%38

$1M+

0.6%7

Rent Distribution

Under $500

265

$500–$750

131

$750–$1,000

616

$1,000–$1,250

134

$1,250–$1,500

108

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.5%13

2010–2019

0.6%17

2000–2009

2.7%76

1990–1999

2.9%83

1980–1989

2.8%78

1970–1979

12.1%340

1960–1969

6.6%185

1950–1959

5.2%147

1940–1949

7.4%210

1939 or earlier

59.2%1,670

Heating Fuel

Fuel Oil

56.6%1,439

Electricity

16.7%424

Bottled/LP Gas

14.6%372

Utility Gas

6.2%157

Wood

3.1%80

Other

1.3%33

Coal

1.1%28

No Fuel

0.4%9

Household Economyi

$61,967median household income

$38,920per capita income

17.1%poverty rate

3%unemployment

2,636labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.5%141

$10K–$15K

6.1%156

$15K–$20K

4.1%105

$20K–$25K

4.4%113

$25K–$30K

2.8%72

$30K–$35K

4.4%111

$35K–$40K

5.7%146

$40K–$45K

3.4%86

$45K–$50K

5.8%147

$50K–$60K

5.7%146

$60K–$75K

12.4%315

$75K–$100K

13.9%353

$100K–$125K

10.5%267

$125K–$150K

5%127

$150K–$200K

5.6%142

$200K+

4.5%115

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1062.1%

By Region

Top Countries

Philippines

China

United Kingdom

Canada

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

2,541

Avg. Commutei

15.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

2,557

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

304(7.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94.6%Insured

5.4%Uninsured