Potsdam, NY Demographics

A map of Potsdam's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,838	6,031	81.1%	72.6%
Asian	553	428	6.6%	5.1%
Black	397	866	4.7%	10.4%
Hispanic	357	511	4.2%	6.1%
Multiracial	262	347	3.1%	4.2%
Native American/Other	20	129	0.2%	1.6%

Potsdam, New York has an estimated population of 8,427, a slight increase from the 8,312 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.1% White, 6.6% Asian, 4.7% Black, 4.2% Hispanic, 3.1% Multiracial, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Potsdam, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Potsdam has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Potsdam, that probability was 45.4% in 2020 and 33.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Potsdam is ranked the 235th most populous place in New York, out of 1,291 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Potsdam was ranked the 234th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Potsdam's White Population

6,838 residents of Potsdam, or 81.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Potsdam is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Potsdam ranks 980th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Potsdam's White population has grown by an estimated 13.4%. White residents' share of Potsdam's population has increased from 72.6% to 81.1%.

Potsdam is less White than neighboring Hannawa Falls (91.3% White), Norwood (94.5% White), Colton (100% White), Norfolk (92.6% White), and Madrid (94.9% White).

Potsdam's Black Population

397 residents of Potsdam, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Potsdam is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Potsdam ranks 119th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Potsdam's Black population has declined by an estimated 54.2%. Black residents' share of Potsdam's population has decreased from 10.4% to 4.7%.

Potsdam is more Black than neighboring Hannawa Falls (0% Black), Norwood (0.8% Black), Colton (0% Black), Norfolk (0.2% Black), and Madrid (0.5% Black).

Potsdam's Asian Population

553 residents of Potsdam, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Potsdam is slightly lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Potsdam ranks 233rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Potsdam's Asian population has grown by an estimated 29.2%. Asian residents' share of Potsdam's population has increased from 5.1% to 6.6%.

Potsdam is more Asian than neighboring Hannawa Falls (0.8% Asian), Norwood (0.4% Asian), Colton (0% Asian), Norfolk (0% Asian), and Madrid (0% Asian).

Potsdam's Hispanic Population

357 residents of Potsdam, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Potsdam is significantly lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Potsdam ranks 549th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Potsdam's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 30.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Potsdam's population has decreased from 6.1% to 4.2%.

Potsdam is more Hispanic than neighboring Norwood (1.4% Hispanic), Colton (0% Hispanic), Norfolk (1.7% Hispanic), and Madrid (1.2% Hispanic). Potsdam is less Hispanic than neighboring Hannawa Falls (5% Hispanic).

Potsdam's Native American/Other Population

20 residents of Potsdam, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Potsdam is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Potsdam ranks 93rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Potsdam's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 84.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Potsdam's population has decreased from 1.6% to 0.2%.

Potsdam is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hannawa Falls (0% Native American/Other), Colton (0% Native American/Other), Norfolk (0% Native American/Other), and Madrid (0% Native American/Other). Potsdam is less Native American/Other than neighboring Norwood (0.7% Native American/Other).

Potsdam's Multiracial Population

262 residents of Potsdam, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Potsdam is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Potsdam ranks 423rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Potsdam's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 24.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Potsdam's population has decreased from 4.2% to 3.1%.

Potsdam is more Multiracial than neighboring Hannawa Falls (3% Multiracial), Norwood (2.3% Multiracial), and Colton (0% Multiracial). Potsdam is less Multiracial than neighboring Norfolk (5.5% Multiracial), and Madrid (3.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.