Saranac Lake: Economy & Jobs
$61,967 is the median household income in Saranac Lake (about the same as Franklin County median $65,151; 1.4× below New York median $85,974), with homes at a median value of $199,900. The surrounding county supports 14,768 jobs (avg $58,601).
- $69,793 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs New York $44,173).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $61,967 — below the New York median ($80,483). Poverty rate 17.7% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 3.2× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 16.5% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $18,100 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,263,249 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $69,793 (vs New York $44,173) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $68,933 |
| Median Household Income | $61,967 (vs New York $80,483) |
| Poverty Rate | 17.7% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $61,967 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.9% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 9% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 8.9% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 14,768 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $865,409,365 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $58,601 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 9,392,830 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.9% (vs New York 5.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 15 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 7,233 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 482.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Field Crops, Other, Horticulture Totals, Animal Totals, Fruit & Tree Nut Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,204 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 10,016 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 546,333 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 13 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 9 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 18 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 10 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 63 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 32 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 10 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 12 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (7)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | STEWARTS SHOP 242 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 10 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | SARANAC LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $295,270,015 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,898.93 (vs New York $4,110) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 37,381 people (vs New York 8,483,844) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 67.8% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 11.0% |
| Pct Walked | 8.9% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 40.7 years (vs New York 38.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 33.9% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12