Saranac Lake ZIP Codes — Franklin County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Saranac Lake, New York and it is 12983. Area code: 518.

ZIP codes

115.76

sq mi land

14.49

sq mi water

518

area code

Saranac Lake, NY ZIP code map

About Saranac Lake, NY

Saranac Lake is a charming village located in the heart of New York State's Adirondack Mountains. Known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history, it serves as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility. With a unique blend of vibrant community life and a backdrop of picturesque landscapes, Saranac Lake offers a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Saranac Lake is situated in Franklin County, New York, and is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Adirondacks. Nearby cities include Lake Placid, located approximately 10 miles to the south; Tupper Lake, around 15 miles to the west; and Malone, about 25 miles to the northwest. The village covers a diverse terrain, with a land area of 115.76 square miles and a water area of 14.49 square miles, featuring scenic lakes and rivers.

Community & economy

The character of Saranac Lake is defined by its strong sense of community and local pride. The economy is supported by tourism, with outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and boating drawing visitors from near and far. Daily life in Saranac Lake is enriched by cultural events, local shops, and a close-knit atmosphere that makes it a great place to live and explore.

Transportation

U.S. Route 86 runs through Saranac Lake, connecting it to other towns and cities in the Adirondack region. The nearest airport is Adirondack Regional Airport, located in Lake Clear, just a few miles from Saranac Lake.

History

Saranac Lake was founded in the late 19th century, initially emerging as a health resort for tuberculosis patients due to its clean air and serene environment. Over the years, it has transitioned into a hub for outdoor recreation, attracting tourists and seasonal residents. Notable events include hosting the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, a tradition that has been celebrated for more than a century.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Saranac Lake is that it has been designated as an official 'Klondike' for dog sledding, making it a renowned location for winter sports. Additionally, it is home to several historic Great Camps, showcasing unique Adirondack architecture from the Gilded Age.

ZIP codes for Saranac Lake, NY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
12983	Saranac Lake	Franklin	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,336

Population

44.6

Median age

$61,237

Median household income

$41,092

Per capita income

$187,700

Median home value

$791

Median monthly rent

59.3%

Home ownership

13.7%

Poverty rate

2.9%

Unemployment

3,292

Housing units

40.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

188

Under 5

163

230

5–9

199

152

10–14

131

223

15–19

193

256

20–24

221

500

25–34

433

454

35–44

392

416

45–54

360

308

55–59

266

387

60–64

335

568

65–74

492

194

75–84

167

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,286	17.5%
18 and over	6,050	82.5%
65 and over	1,529	20.8%
Median age	44.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.8%

Black or African American 2.7%

Two or more races 2.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	6,876	92.8%
Black or African American	203	2.7%
Two or more races	180	2.4%
Hispanic or Latino	76	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	41	0.6%
Asian	29	0.4%
Other race	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.2%

$10k–$15k 6.6%

$15k–$25k 9.5%

$25k–$35k 8.6%

$35k–$50k 10.3%

$50k–$75k 20.3%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 15.5%

$150k–$200k 7.4%

$200k+ 6.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.2%
$10k–$15k	6.6%
$15k–$25k	9.5%
$25k–$35k	8.6%
$35k–$50k	10.3%
$50k–$75k	20.3%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	15.5%
$150k–$200k	7.4%
$200k+	6.2%
Median income	$61,237

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.7%

$50k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 11.7%

$150k–$200k 26.7%

$200k–$300k 20.5%

$300k–$500k 17.4%

$500k–$1M 3.1%

$1M+ 3.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$187,700
Median rent / month	$791
Owner occupied	59.3%
Renter occupied	40.7%
Vacant	26.4%
Single-family detached	66.1%
Large apartment buildings	7.0%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.18

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	1.6%
2000–2009	6.3%
1990–1999	6.6%
1980–1989	8.6%
1970–1979	9.8%
1960–1969	8.6%
1950–1959	6.9%
1940–1949	5.0%
1939 or earlier	46.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	5.7%
1 bedroom	18.0%
2 bedrooms	31.2%
3 bedrooms	29.0%
4 bedrooms	11.6%
5+ bedrooms	4.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.7%
1 vehicle	45.8%
2 vehicles	32.6%
3 or more	9.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	5.5%
Electricity	16.1%
Propane / LP gas	16.7%
Fuel oil	55.9%
Wood	4.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,339	38.7%
Cohabiting couple	496	14.3%
Male householder, no spouse	868	25.1%
Female householder, no spouse	755	21.8%
Households with children under 18	611	17.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,111	32.1%
Average household size	2.03

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.2%	32.9%
Married	44.3%	44.9%
Separated	1.9%	1.5%
Widowed	2.5%	8.7%
Divorced	10.0%	12.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.2%

Some HS, no diploma 6.3%

HS graduate 18.7%

Some college, no degree 20.6%

Associate's degree 12.9%

Bachelor's degree 21.0%

Graduate / professional 19.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.5%
Bachelor's or higher	40.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	67	4.7%
Kindergarten	27	1.9%
Elementary school	623	43.8%
High school	287	20.2%
College / grad school	417	29.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 39.7%

Retail trade 12.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.7%

Professional & management 8.5%

Public administration 6.4%

Other services 5.7%

Construction 3.8%

Finance & real estate 2.9%

Transportation & utilities 2.6%

Information 2.5%

Agriculture & mining 1.3%

Manufacturing 1.0%

Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.9%
Service	23.9%
Sales & office	22.1%
Natural resources & construction	6.1%
Production & transportation	7.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	67.6%
Government	24.5%
Self-employed	7.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	70.5%
Carpool	13.0%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	8.2%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	14.9

Poverty

All people 13.7%

Under 18 years 15.1%

18 and over 13.4%

Married-couple families 2.1%

Female-led households 25.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.3%
Retirement income	31.1%
Supplemental Security	5.9%
Cash public assistance	3.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.0%
High cholesterol	32.7%
Heart disease	6.8%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	25.0%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.1%
No physical activity	24.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.2%
Fair or poor health	12.8%
Poor mental health	14.8%
Poor physical health	10.3%
No health insurance	10.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.8%
Visited dentist	64.7%
Cholesterol screening	90.0%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	395	6.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.0%
Under 18	5.1%
18–64 years	12.5%
65 and over	21.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.7%
Public insurance	43.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,985	95.2%
Spanish	23	0.3%
Other Indo-European	2	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	12	0.2%
Other languages	9	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,250	98.8%
Born in same state	7,237	98.7%
Born in different state	5,433	74.1%
Foreign born	13	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	86	1.2%
Not a US citizen	53	61.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,734	23.6%
French	1,075	14.7%
Arab	445	6.1%
German	153	2.1%
English	141	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	67	0.9%
Polish	27	0.4%
Norwegian	23	0.3%
Dutch	22	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	47.1%
Internet access	89.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Saranac Lake, NY have?

Saranac Lake, NY has one ZIP code: 12983. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.