Potsdam (town), New York

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Potsdam is a small town located near the U.S.-Canadian border in rural St. Lawrence County, New York. The population was 15,957 at the 2000 census. 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.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Local Schools
5 Communities and locations in Potsdam
6 Bibliography
7 External links

[edit] 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 St. Lawrence County.

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

In 1968, a Clarkson student film project, spoofing horror flicks capturing scenes along Elm Street in Potsdam, became the inspiration for Hollywood film producer (and former Clarkson instructor) Wes Craven's smash box-office movie series, "Friday The Thirteenth."

Potsdam history

[edit] 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 (1.92%) is water.

The Raquette River flows northward through the town.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 15,957 people, 5,073 households, and 2,810 families residing in the town. The population density was 60.7/km² (157.3/mi²). There were 5,431 housing units at an average density of 20.7/km² (53.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 5,073 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 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 105.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,782, and the median income for a family was $42,450. Males had a median income of $32,464 versus $24,776 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,753. About 13.0% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Local Schools

The town of Potsdam has an elementary school (Lawrence Avenue), a middle school (A.A. Kingston), and a high school. There are also many colleges in the area, including SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University in Potsdam and St. Lawrence University in nearby Canton.

[edit] 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 in east Potsdam village.
Hewittville --- 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.
Sissonville -- 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 South Potsdam village.
Unionville -- A hamlet north of Potsdam village on Route 56. This is the site of one of the first cooperative settlements in New York.
West Potsdam -- A hamlet on Route 34 near the center of the town, formerly known as Smiths Corners.

[edit] Bibliography

Author Unknown (1894). Curtis, Gates (editor): Our County and Its People : A Memorial Record of St. Lawrence County, New York. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason and Company.
History and Pictures of Potsdam New York. Potsdam, NY 13676. Retrieved on January 6, 2006.