Population 12,948 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Potsdam
Household size in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.15 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.07 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.09 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.96 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.19 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Potsdam is a place of small households, averaging 1.96 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.15 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only two have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.4 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.6 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.4 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.4, Potsdam is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.4, as it has nationally. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Potsdam (9.5%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Potsdam
Renters in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.3% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.8% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Potsdam than nationally: 47.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among owners, 49.7% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only 38 of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.3% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.3% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +12.5 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Potsdam: 27.3% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 12.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1972 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Potsdam leans older: the median home dates to 1972, against 1980 nationally. Even so, homes here are newer than in New York as a whole, where the median home dates to 1961.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $638 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $695 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $869 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $959 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$321 | +$698 | +$606 |
Rent in Potsdam runs $959 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $321 a month since 2006–10, up 50%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 35.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Potsdam
Bachelor's degrees in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.1% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.6% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.4% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.4% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Potsdam than nationally: 40.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.3 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the west.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.7% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.0% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.2% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Potsdam: 96.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 6.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Potsdam has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of New York cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Potsdam
| Period | Potsdam | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Potsdam runs below the national rate: 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 4.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Potsdam compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potsdam | 1.96 | 33.4 | 9.5% | 47.0% | 27.3% | 1972 | $959 | 40.4% | 96.2% | 4.3% |
| West Parishville | 2.04 | 55.4 | 7.5% | 20.0% | 20.9% | 1974 | $935 | 39.2% | 95.3% | 6.0% |
| Hannawa Falls | 2.28 | 49.2 | 15.5% | 16.4% | 17.3% | 1978 | $1,110 | 36.7% | 96.6% | 6.4% |
| West Stockholm | 2.48 | 37.6 | 16.2% | 37.4% | 6.3% | 1986 | $789 | 16.1% | 95.0% | 7.0% |
| West Potsdam | 2.21 | 48.3 | 8.8% | 21.9% | 12.1% | 1973 | $852 | 26.9% | 93.0% | 3.6% |
| Parishville Center | 1.99 | 60.5 | 5.7% | 13.6% | 24.7% | 1972 | $837 | 37.1% | 95.4% | 6.0% |
| Sandfordville | 3.16 | 31.6 | 12.0% | 18.5% | 8.8% | 1979 | $1,052 | 22.0% | 87.0% | 1.0% |
| Norwood | 2.46 | 44.7 | 11.9% | 20.0% | 7.4% | 1965 | $854 | 21.2% | 87.8% | 5.4% |
| Slab City | 2.15 | 48.3 | 7.0% | 22.0% | 13.5% | 1979 | $889 | 35.4% | 97.1% | 1.4% |
| High Flats | 2.01 | 59.5 | 5.6% | 13.2% | 25.9% | 1972 | $808 | 36.9% | 95.3% | 5.6% |
| Colton | 2.31 | 47.2 | 6.7% | 8.8% | 34.5% | 1969 | $646 | 33.9% | 94.6% | 2.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: University Heights, OH · Cortez, CO · Cortland, OH · Coto Laurel, PR · Country Club, CA · Crestwood, MO · Cutlerville, MI · Del Mar, CA · Delhi, CA · Delta, CO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Potsdam. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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