At a Glance
Median Income
$60,494
$39,013 per capita
Home Value
$188,900
Zillow: $342,794
Median Rent
$826/mo
25.6% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
42.8%
90.6% high school+
Unemployment
2.7%
12.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.8%
13.9% smoking rate
How Saranac Lake Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Saranac Lake's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Saranac Lake a Good Place to Live?
A
4.4 / 5.0 - Great
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Saranac Lake residents earn a median household income of $60,494 , which is 20% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $39,013. The unemployment rate stands at 2.7% (25% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,108 business establishments, including 113 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Saranac Lake is $188,900 , 33% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $342,794. Median rent is $826/month, with 25.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 107.9 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Education
42.8% of adults in Saranac Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(27% above the national average).
90.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Saranac Lake has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C).
Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population5,099
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density1,752/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Foreign Born0.7%
Veterans6.2%
Economy
B+
Median Income$60,494
Per Capita$39,013
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty12.4%
County GDP$2,709M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,316
Housing
A+
Home Value$188,900
Rent$826
Ownership47.5%
Zillow$342,794
Housing Units2,815
Rent Burden25.6%
Health
Obesity37.8%
Diabetes8.8%
Smoking13.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death7,951/100K
Climate
Avg Temp40°F
Rain36.6 in/yr
Elevation1,544 ft
Education
A
Bachelor's+42.8%
High School+90.6%
Graduate+19.6%
School Score4.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 55% / D 45%
Commute15 min
Broadband84.0%
Internet Speed123 Mbps
EV Stations17
Libraries5
Did You Know?
The median home in Saranac Lake was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Adirondack Regional (6 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.440 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
13.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 123 Mbps.
There are 113 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.