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.

Potsdam, NY Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

8,427

Median Agei

21.7

Race & Ethnicityi

White

81.1%6,838

Asian

6.6%553

Black

4.7%397

Hispanic/Latino

4.2%357

Two or More

3.1%262

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%20

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2.3%73

High School Diploma

18.3%571

Some College (<1 yr)

1.6%51

Some College (1+ yr)

12.7%397

Associate's Degree

6.4%198

Bachelor's Degree

21.2%660

Master's Degree

17.8%555

Professional Degree

2.2%70

Doctorate

10.6%331

HS or Higher

93.2%

BA or Higher

51.8%

Graduate+

30.7%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$146,400

Median Renti

$898

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

34.4%854

Renter-Occupied

65.6%1,629

Total Units

2,865

Homeownership

34.4%

Vacancy Rate

13.3%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.2%10

$50K–$100K

30.6%261

$100K–$150K

19.6%167

$150K–$200K

23.8%203

$200K–$300K

17.7%151

$300K–$500K

5.5%47

$500K–$1M

1.8%15

Rent Distribution

Under $500

189

$500–$750

408

$750–$1,000

355

$1,000–$1,250

356

$1,250–$1,500

185

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2010–2019

3.4%98

2000–2009

1.8%51

1990–1999

9.5%273

1980–1989

10.8%308

1970–1979

12%343

1960–1969

9%258

1950–1959

24.3%695

1940–1949

2.2%62

1939 or earlier

27.1%777

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

55.1%1,369

Electricity

33.1%821

Fuel Oil

4.2%104

Bottled/LP Gas

4%99

Other

2.2%55

No Fuel

1.1%28

Wood

0.3%7

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$34,546

Mean Household Incomei

$57,390

Per Capita Incomei

$20,220

Poverty Ratei

15.6%

Unemploymenti

4.8%

Labor Forcei

3,873

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

13.8%342

$10K–$15K

5.6%140

$15K–$20K

7.7%191

$20K–$25K

12.9%320

$25K–$30K

4.9%122

$30K–$35K

6%149

$35K–$40K

3.3%82

$40K–$45K

3.4%84

$45K–$50K

1.1%28

$50K–$60K

6.9%171

$60K–$75K

7.5%187

$75K–$100K

11.2%277

$100K–$125K

5.2%128

$125K–$150K

3.3%82

$150K–$200K

2.7%67

$200K+

4.6%113

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

352

Residentsi

490

Avg. Tenant Renti

$368/mo

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers39 homes87% occupied$388/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8201 homes88% occupied$364/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $34,546/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $10K/yr

75.9%

Very low income$10K–$17K/yr

19.8%

Low income$17K–$28K/yr

4.3%

Who Receives This Housing

60.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

8.4% of subsidized households are minority

38.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

36.6% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

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

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,03512.3%

By Region

Top Countries

India

China

Philippines

Canada

United Kingdom

Korea

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

3,571

Avg. Commutei

15.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

3,687

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

35(0.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95.8%Insured

4.2%Uninsured