Paul Smiths ZIP Codes — Franklin County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Paul Smiths, New York and it is 12970. Area code: 518.

ZIP codes

109.02

sq mi land

7.58

sq mi water

518

area code

Paul Smiths, NY ZIP code map

About Paul Smiths, NY

Paul Smiths is a charming community located in New York's Franklin County. Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Park, it provides a tranquil retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The small, picturesque town is known for its stunning landscapes and access to various recreational activities.

Location & geography

Paul Smiths is surrounded by the breathtaking terrain of the Adirondack Mountains, making it an ideal spot for hiking, camping, and exploring nature. The town is situated approximately 15 miles from Lake Placid to the south and 35 miles from Saranac Lake to the north. Covering a total land area of 109.02 square miles, it also features 7.58 square miles of water bodies, contributing to its scenic beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Paul Smiths is defined by its strong connection to the outdoors, reflected in its industries focused on tourism and recreation. Residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere, often participating in local events and outdoor activities. Daily life revolves around the natural environment, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and skiing readily available from homes and businesses.

Transportation

Transport access in Paul Smiths is primarily via state highways, with New York State Route 30 being the main thoroughfare connecting residents to nearby towns. The nearest major airport is the Adirondack Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away in Lake Clear. Local transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the most common mode of transportation.

History

Paul Smiths was founded in the 19th century, named after the prominent local businessman Paul Smith, who opened a resort in the area that attracted visitors from all over. The town's early economy thrived on tourism and the lumber industry, capitalizing on its natural resources. Notable events include the establishment of the Paul Smith's College in 1946, further solidifying the area's reputation as a center for education focused on environmental stewardship.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Paul Smiths is its proximity to the vast Adirondack Park, which is the largest protected area in the United States. Additionally, the town is home to a unique historical artifact, the Paul Smiths College VIC (Visitor Interpretive Center), which attracts educational groups and nature enthusiasts alike.

ZIP codes for Paul Smiths, NY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
12970	Paul Smiths	Franklin	View map

Demographics & statistics

937

Population

21.3

Median age

$81,875

Median household income

$25,460

Per capita income

$240,300

Median home value

$1,300

Median monthly rent

65.6%

Home ownership

4.7%

Poverty rate

16.8%

Unemployment

295

Housing units

55.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

153

15–19

266

20–24

134

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	36	3.8%
18 and over	901	96.2%
65 and over	123	13.1%
Median age	21.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.2%

Asian 5.5%

Black or African American 2%

Two or more races 1.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	845	90.2%
Asian	52	5.5%
Black or African American	19	2%
Two or more races	13	1.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	8	0.9%

Household income

$15k–$25k 6.6%

$25k–$35k 12.6%

$35k–$50k 5.3%

$50k–$75k 16.6%

$75k–$100k 17.9%

$100k–$150k 27.2%

$150k–$200k 1.3%

$200k+ 12.6%

Range	% of households
$15k–$25k	6.6%
$25k–$35k	12.6%
$35k–$50k	5.3%
$50k–$75k	16.6%
$75k–$100k	17.9%
$100k–$150k	27.2%
$150k–$200k	1.3%
$200k+	12.6%
Median income	$81,875

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.0%

$100k–$150k 18.2%

$150k–$200k 15.2%

$200k–$300k 22.2%

$300k–$500k 20.2%

$1M+ 22.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$240,300
Median rent / month	$1,300
Owner occupied	65.6%
Renter occupied	34.4%
Vacant	56.5%
Single-family detached	89.9%
Large apartment buildings	1.2%
Mobile homes	2.6%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	4.9%
1990–1999	7.5%
1980–1989	15.6%
1970–1979	0.6%
1960–1969	5.5%
1950–1959	2.6%
1940–1949	2.6%
1939 or earlier	60.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.3%
1 bedroom	5.5%
2 bedrooms	20.5%
3 bedrooms	38.9%
4 bedrooms	18.7%
5+ bedrooms	12.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.0%
1 vehicle	23.8%
2 vehicles	46.4%
3 or more	25.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.6%
Propane / LP gas	13.2%
Fuel oil	59.6%
Wood	23.2%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	100	66.2%
Cohabiting couple	10	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	19	12.6%
Female householder, no spouse	22	14.6%
Households with children under 18	20	13.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	68	45.0%
Average household size	2.13

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	79.3%	61.4%
Married	17.9%	34.7%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.3%	2.6%
Divorced	2.5%	1.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 0.0%

HS graduate 15.8%

Some college, no degree 15.4%

Associate's degree 13.6%

Bachelor's degree 36.6%

Graduate / professional 18.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	100.0%
Bachelor's or higher	55.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	14	2.1%
High school	12	1.8%
College / grad school	630	96.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 38.7%

Retail trade 15.2%

Professional & management 14.0%

Construction 10.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.0%

Finance & real estate 7.1%

Other services 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 0.9%

Information 0.9%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Public administration 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	20.5%
Service	17.0%
Sales & office	44.0%
Natural resources & construction	12.8%
Production & transportation	5.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.3%
Government	8.9%
Self-employed	9.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	51.6%
Carpool	7.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	26.6%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.1

Poverty

All people 4.7%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 5.3%

Married-couple families 8.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	48.3%
Retirement income	53.6%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	0.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	14.4%
High cholesterol	15.7%
Heart disease	2.2%
Stroke	1.0%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	8.6%
Kidney disease	1.2%
Pulmonary disease	2.9%
Cancer	2.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	27.1%
No physical activity	16.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.5%
Fair or poor health	6.4%
Poor mental health	16.9%
Poor physical health	5.1%
No health insurance	10.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.4%
Visited dentist	69.8%
Cholesterol screening	78.3%
Teeth loss	11.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	42	4.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	5.5%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	4.1%
65 and over	16.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.1%
Public insurance	25.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	932	99.5%
Spanish	23	2.5%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	10	1.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	900	96.1%
Born in same state	894	95.4%
Born in different state	591	63.1%
Foreign born	6	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	37	3.9%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	228	24.3%
French	118	12.6%
Arab	49	5.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	32	3.4%
English	5	0.5%
Irish	4	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	16.1%
Internet access	100.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Paul Smiths, NY have?

Paul Smiths, NY has one ZIP code: 12970. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.