Potsdam (town), New York
|
|
Potsdam is a town located in St. Lawrence County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 15,957. The postal zip code is 13676. The town is named after the city of Potsdam in Germany.
The Town of Potsdam also contains a village named Potsdam. Potsdam is centrally located within the county.
| Contents |
History
David Clarkson and Garret van Horn were early investors in the town, and settlement began around 1803. The town was established in 1806 from part of the Town of Madrid. Potsdam is one of the original ten towns of the county.
St. Lawrence Academy, the predecessor or the State University of New York at Potsdam was founded in 1816. In 1896 Clarkson University was founded.
- Potsdam history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/potsdam-1-ny.htm)
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 267.9 km² (103.4 mi²). 262.8 km² (101.5 mi²) of it is land and 5.2 km² (2.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.92% water.
The Raquette River flows northward through the town.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 15,957 people, 5,073 households, and 2,810 families residing in the town. The population density is 60.7/km² (157.3/mi²). There are 5,431 housing units at an average density of 20.7/km² (53.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.21% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 2.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,073 households out of which 27.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% are married couples living together, 9.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% are non-families. 31.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.35 and the average family size is 2.97.
In the town the population is spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 36.8% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 23 years. For every 100 females there are 105.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $30,782, and the median income for a family is $42,450. Males have a median income of $32,464 versus $24,776 for females. The per capita income for the town is $13,753. 23.1% of the population and 13.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.1% of those under the age of 18 and 9.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Communities and locations in Potsdam
- Bucks Bridge -- A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town.
- Casey Corners -- A community on Route 34 in the west part of the town.
- Clarkson University -- Located on the west bank of the Raquette River opposite Potsdam village.
- Hewittsville --- A hamlet on the west bank of the Raquette River.
- Norwood -- The south part of the Village of Norwood.
- Potsdam -- The Village of Potsdam on the Raquette River.
- Potsdam Municipal Airport - Damon Field (PTD) -- A small airport east of Potsdam village.
- Sisson -- A small hamlet on Route 56 north of Potsdam village.
- Slab City -- A location on Route 35 near the center of the town.
- SUNY Potsdam -- Located in Potsdam village.
- Unionville -- A hamlet north of Potsdam village on Route 56. This is the site of one of the first cooperative settlement in New York.
- West Potsdam -- A hamlet on Route 34 near the center of the town, formerly known as Smiths Corners.
External links
- Potsdam webpage (http://www.potsdam.ny.us)
- Potsdam history (http://history.rays-place.com/ny/potsdam-1-ny.htm)
- Potsdam school district (http://www.potsdam.k12.ny.us)