Potsdam, New York

Last updated

Potsdam
Town
Potsdam New York.jpg
Market Street in the village of Potsdam
Motto: 
All Roads Lead to Potsdam
Potsdam ny.png
Map highlighting Potsdam's location within St. Lawrence County.
USA New York location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Potsdam
Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 44°40′15″N74°59′3″W / 44.67083°N 74.98417°W / 44.67083; -74.98417
CountryUnited States
State New York
County St. Lawrence
Government
 •  town supervisor Marty Miller
Area
 • Total103.4 sq mi (267.9 km2)
 • Land101.5 sq mi (262.8 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)
Elevation
433 ft (132 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,901
 • Density140/sq mi (56/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
13676
Area code 315
FIPS code 36-59564
GNIS feature ID0977239
Website Town website

Potsdam is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The town population was 14,901 at the 2020 census. When SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University are in session, the population increases by approximately 8,000 students. The town is named after the city of Potsdam in Germany.

Contents

The town of Potsdam also contains a village named Potsdam. Potsdam is centrally located within the county and northeast of Canton, the county seat.

History

David Clarkson and Garret van Horn were early investors in the town, and settlement began around 1803. The newcomers found Native Americans residing in the town and in the fur trade.

The town was established in 1806 from part of the Town of Madrid. Potsdam is one of the original ten towns of St. Lawrence County.

The community of Potsdam set itself apart from the town in 1831 by incorporating as a village. The community of Raquetteville incorporated as the Village of Potsdam Junction (now Norwood) in 1871.

St. Lawrence Academy, the predecessor of the State University of New York at Potsdam was founded in 1816. In 1896, Clarkson University was founded.

The Potsdam area is well known for its reddish-orange Potsdam sandstone. A large slab of it is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The First Presbyterian Church of Dailey Ridge and French Family Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [1]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of 103.4 square miles (267.9 km2), of which 101.5 square miles (262.8 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (1.92%) is water.

The Raquette River flows northward through the town's center. The Grasse River flows through the northwestern part of Potsdam.

Communities and locations in the Town of Potsdam

Perspective map of Potsdam with list of landmarks, L.R. Burleigh, 1885 Potsdam, N.Y. 1885. LOC 76693076.jpg
Perspective map of Potsdam with list of landmarks, L.R. Burleigh, 1885
Town court for Potsdam Potsdam NY Town Court.jpg
Town court for Potsdam

Climate

Climate data for Potsdam, New York
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)70
(21)		70
(21)		89
(32)		91
(33)		92
(33)		95
(35)		98
(37)		99
(37)		93
(34)		91
(33)		81
(27)		70
(21)		99
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)26
(−3)		30
(−1)		39
(4)		53
(12)		66
(19)		75
(24)		79
(26)		77
(25)		70
(21)		57
(14)		45
(7)		32
(0)		54
(12)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)6
(−14)		8
(−13)		19
(−7)		33
(1)		44
(7)		54
(12)		59
(15)		56
(13)		48
(9)		37
(3)		28
(−2)		15
(−9)		34
(1)
Record low °F (°C)−41
(−41)		−43
(−42)		−30
(−34)		−8
(−22)		21
(−6)		29
(−2)		35
(2)		28
(−2)		22
(−6)		5
(−15)		−9
(−23)		−37
(−38)		−43
(−42)
Average precipitation inches (mm)2.12
(54)		1.89
(48)		2.15
(55)		2.93
(74)		3.17
(81)		3.45
(88)		3.74
(95)		3.75
(95)		4.26
(108)		4.11
(104)		3.30
(84)		2.54
(65)		37.41
(950)
Source: The Weather Channel [4]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1820 1,911—
1830 3,65091.0%
1840 4,47322.5%
1850 5,34919.6%
1860 6,73725.9%
1870 7,77415.4%
1880 7,610−2.1%
1890 8,93917.5%
1900 9,0541.3%
1910 8,726−3.6%
1920 8,7940.8%
1930 8,8801.0%
1940 9,6098.2%
1950 12,43729.4%
1960 14,04512.9%
1970 16,70018.9%
1980 17,9117.3%
1990 16,822−6.1%
2000 15,957−5.1%
2010 16,0410.5%
2020 14,901−7.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [5] [6]

As of the census [6] of 2020, there were 14,901 people and 4,988 households in the town. The population density was 158.2 inhabitants per square mile (61.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 86.4% non-Hispanic White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 4,988 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 13.4% under the age of 18, 36.8% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. The town was 48.6% female and 51.4% male.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,977. The per capita income for the town was $23,747. About 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line.

Education

The town of Potsdam consists of the Potsdam Central School District, which includes an elementary school (Lawrence Avenue), a middle school (A.A. Kingston), and a high school (Potsdam High School). The high school is the home of the Potsdam Sandstoners.

There are four universities in the area, including SUNY Potsdam (which is known for its Crane School of Music) and Clarkson University (a private research university known for engineering and business) in Potsdam, as well as both St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton in nearby Canton. Due to the number of students in Potsdam during the academic year, Potsdam was ranked as #7 most ‘Collegiest College Town in America’ by the Washington Post. [7]

Media

Radio

Television

Transportation

U.S. Route 11 and New York State Route 11B are east–west highways. New York State Route 56 is a north–south highway. New York State Route 345 is a northwest–southeast highway that intersects New York State Route 310 near the northwestern town line.

The New York Central Railroad's St. Lawrence Division runs through the town. Until 1964 the New York Central operated passenger trains from Massena, through the town, to Watertown, and to Syracuse to meet up with the NYC mainline. [8] [9]

Notable people

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrietstown, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Harrietstown is a town in Franklin County, New York, United States. The total population was 5,254 at the 2020 census, In 2010 3,879 of the town's residents lived in the village of Saranac Lake on the eastern side of the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Lake, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Long Lake is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 791 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colton, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Colton is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 1,451 at the 2010 census. The town, originally named "Matildaville", is named after early settler Jesse Colton Higley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fine, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Fine is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 1,512 at the 2010 census. The town is named after Judge John Fine, a businessman involved in settling the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisbon, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Lisbon is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 4,102 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madrid, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Madrid is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York. The population was 1,735 at the time of the 2010 census. The town is named after the capital of Spain. Madrid is in the northern part of the county, north of Canton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwood, New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Norwood is a village located in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 1,560. The village is located partly in two towns, Potsdam and of Norfolk, and located is east of the village of Potsdam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parishville, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Parishville is a town in the east-central part of St. Lawrence County, east of Potsdam, in the state of New York, United States. The population was 2,153 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piercefield, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Piercefield is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 310 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierrepont, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Pierrepont is a town and hamlet in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 2,523. It was named after Hezekiah Pierrepont, the early owner of much of the town's territory. The Town of Pierrepont is centrally located in the county and is southeast of Canton. A hamlet of the same name is in the town of Pierrepont. Pierrepont Manor, however, is located in Jefferson County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canton (village), New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Canton is a village and county seat of St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The village is centrally located in both the town of Canton and the county of St. Lawrence. The population was 7,155 at the 2020 census. The name comes from the Chinese city of Canton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canton, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Canton is an incorporated town in St. Lawrence County, New York. The population was 11,638 at the time of the 2020 census. The town contains two villages: one also named Canton, the other named Rensselaer Falls. The town is named after the great port of Canton in China. Canton is the home of St. Lawrence University and the State University of New York at Canton. The Canton Central School District is based in the village of Canton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massena, New York</span> Town of Massena, New York

Massena is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. Massena is along the county's northern border, just south of the St. Lawrence River and the Three Nations Crossing of the Canada–United States border. The population was 12,433 at the 2020 census. The town of Massena contains a village also named Massena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norfolk, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Norfolk is a town in St. Lawrence County in the U.S. state of New York. The town is in the northern part of the county and is north of Potsdam. The population was 4,453 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potsdam (village), New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Potsdam is a village located in the Town of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 8,312 at the 2020 census. The Village of Potsdam is in the eastern part of the town and is northeast of Canton, the county seat. The village is the locale of the State University of New York at Potsdam and Clarkson University.

Tupper Lake is a town in the southwest corner of Franklin County, New York, United States. The population was 5,147 at the 2020 census. The town contains a village also called Tupper Lake. Until July 2004, the town was known as "Altamont", not to be confused with the village of Altamont in Albany County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Route 310</span> State highway in St. Lawrence County, New York, US

New York State Route 310 (NY 310) is a 21.43-mile-long (34.49 km) north–south state highway located entirely within St. Lawrence County in the North Country of the U.S. state of New York. The southern terminus is at U.S. Route 11 (US 11) and NY 68 in the town of Canton, just east of the village of Canton. The northern terminus is at NY 56 in the community of Raymondville in the town of Norfolk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Route 56</span> State highway in St. Lawrence County, New York, US

New York State Route 56 (NY 56) is a 51.44-mile-long (82.78 km) north–south state highway in eastern St. Lawrence County, New York, in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 3 in the town of Colton. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 37 southwest of Massena in the town of Louisville. NY 56 follows the Raquette River for most of its length and serves the village of Potsdam, where it passes by the campus of State University of New York at Potsdam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Route 345</span> State highway in St. Lawrence County, New York, US

New York State Route 345 (NY 345) is a state highway located entirely within St. Lawrence County in the North Country of New York in the United States. It is a north–south route connecting the towns of Waddington and Potsdam by way of the town of Madrid. The southern terminus of NY 345 is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 (US 11) in the village of Potsdam. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 37 in the village of Waddington by the St. Lawrence River.

Colton is the primary hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Colton in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 345, out of 1,451 in the entire town of Colton.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ↑ Ingram Jr., Verner M. (April 1960). ""The Union" Settlement" (PDF). The Quarterly. 5 (2). Canton, NY: St. Lawrence County Historical Association: 1–2.
  3. ↑ West Potsdam gun show cancellation, wpfd.info. Accessed September 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Climate Statistics for Potsdam, NY". The Weather Channel . Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "United States Census Bureau QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  7. ↑ "The collegiest college town in every state, and more" . Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ April 1960 New York Central timetable, as example of earlier service http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/ptt/images/tt-0460.pdf
  9. ↑ April 1964 New York Central timetable http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/ptt/images/tt-0464.pdf
  10. ↑ Frank B. Kellogg. from Wikipedia, Accessed September 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ Frank B. Kellogg Facts. nobelprize.org. Accessed September 22, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.