Tupper Lake ZIP Codes — Franklin County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Tupper Lake, New York and it is 12986. Area code: 518/838.

ZIP codes

286.55

sq mi land

27.98

sq mi water

518/838

area code

Tupper Lake, NY ZIP code map

About Tupper Lake, NY

Tupper Lake, NY, is a charming small town located in the heart of the Adirondack region of New York. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, it serves as a gateway to numerous outdoor recreational activities. The community boasts a rich cultural heritage and is steeped in history, making it a unique place to visit or call home.

Location & geography

Tupper Lake lies in Franklin County and is surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Adirondack Mountains. It is approximately 25 miles from Lake Placid to the southeast, 12 miles from Saranac Lake to the west, and about 45 miles from the Canadian border. The town covers a land area of 286.55 square miles, complemented by 27.98 square miles of water, offering ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking.

Community & economy

The character of Tupper Lake is defined by its strong sense of community and connection to nature. The town's economy is supported primarily by tourism, outdoor recreation, and traditional industries such as logging. Daily life here is characterized by a close-knit atmosphere, where local events and community gatherings are commonplace.

Transportation

Tupper Lake is accessible via Route 30, which connects it to surrounding towns and primary highways. The nearest airport for commercial flights is the Adirondack Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles away in Saranac Lake. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the preferred mode of transit.

History

Tupper Lake was first settled in the early 19th century, with significant growth occurring due to the logging industry. The town's establishment as a key transportation hub helped it thrive during the timber boom. Notable events in its history include the construction of the Tupper Lake Union Depot and its designation as a village in 1900.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Tupper Lake is that it was once home to a thriving iron industry in the 1800s, contributing to the local economy. Additionally, the town is famous for the Big T upper Lake, which is a popular spot for year-round recreational activities.

ZIP codes for Tupper Lake, NY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
12986	Tupper Lake	Franklin	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,356

Population

47.4

Median age

$60,333

Median household income

$34,967

Per capita income

$128,200

Median home value

$650

Median monthly rent

71.1%

Home ownership

16.5%

Poverty rate

3.2%

Unemployment

2,952

Housing units

22.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

271

10–14

258

172

15–19

163

20–24

284

25–34

270

357

35–44

341

344

45–54

328

195

55–59

185

239

60–64

227

377

65–74

360

216

75–84

205

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,019	19.0%
18 and over	4,337	81.0%
65 and over	1,276	23.8%
Median age	47.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.7%

Black or African American 2.8%

Two or more races 2.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1.7%

Other race 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	5,052	92.7%
Black or African American	151	2.8%
Two or more races	122	2.2%
Hispanic or Latino	91	1.7%
Other race	17	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	11	0.2%
Asian	3	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 7.2%

$15k–$25k 8.9%

$25k–$35k 8.2%

$35k–$50k 9.9%

$50k–$75k 23.3%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 17.7%

$150k–$200k 3.8%

$200k+ 4.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	7.2%
$15k–$25k	8.9%
$25k–$35k	8.2%
$35k–$50k	9.9%
$50k–$75k	23.3%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	17.7%
$150k–$200k	3.8%
$200k+	4.8%
Median income	$60,333

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.8%

$50k–$100k 35.2%

$100k–$150k 13.6%

$150k–$200k 14.3%

$200k–$300k 11.8%

$300k–$500k 11.1%

$500k–$1M 5.9%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$128,200
Median rent / month	$650
Owner occupied	71.1%
Renter occupied	28.9%
Vacant	35.2%
Single-family detached	76.1%
Large apartment buildings	3.7%
Mobile homes	3.9%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.34

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.0%
2000–2009	7.8%
1990–1999	8.7%
1980–1989	7.2%
1970–1979	15.2%
1960–1969	8.2%
1950–1959	7.2%
1940–1949	13.1%
1939 or earlier	30.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	16.4%
2 bedrooms	24.8%
3 bedrooms	35.3%
4 bedrooms	19.7%
5+ bedrooms	1.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.1%
1 vehicle	42.3%
2 vehicles	30.6%
3 or more	16.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.5%
Electricity	59.0%
Propane / LP gas	8.0%
Fuel oil	16.2%
Wood	13.1%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,017	43.2%
Cohabiting couple	194	8.2%
Male householder, no spouse	458	19.4%
Female householder, no spouse	687	29.2%
Households with children under 18	484	20.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	981	41.6%
Average household size	2.09

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.4%	23.0%
Married	47.0%	48.7%
Separated	2.2%	2.2%
Widowed	3.2%	15.2%
Divorced	10.2%	10.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.9%

Some HS, no diploma 7.2%

HS graduate 30.9%

Some college, no degree 21.2%

Associate's degree 15.3%

Bachelor's degree 13.9%

Graduate / professional 8.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.9%
Bachelor's or higher	22.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	8	0.7%
Kindergarten	17	1.5%
Elementary school	576	51.6%
High school	335	30.0%
College / grad school	180	16.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.4%

Retail trade 17.7%

Public administration 14.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.8%

Construction 6.4%

Other services 4.6%

Agriculture & mining 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Manufacturing 3.4%

Professional & management 3.1%

Information 1.8%

Finance & real estate 1.6%

Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.1%
Service	23.7%
Sales & office	28.8%
Natural resources & construction	9.8%
Production & transportation	10.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	64.3%
Government	29.5%
Self-employed	5.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.6%
Carpool	14.3%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	6.9%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.4

Poverty

All people 16.5%

Under 18 years 23.6%

18 and over 15.0%

Married-couple families 2.9%

Female-led households 31.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.1%
Retirement income	34.5%
Supplemental Security	5.0%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.7%
High cholesterol	36.8%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	24.9%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.8%
No physical activity	25.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.8%
Fair or poor health	13.0%
Poor mental health	14.7%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	11.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.5%
Visited dentist	63.7%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	14.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	386	8.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	22.3%
Under 18	9.5%
18–64 years	16.6%
65 and over	46.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	76.5%
Public insurance	46.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,212	97.3%
Spanish	14	0.3%
Other Indo-European	5	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	9	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,218	97.4%
Born in same state	5,165	96.4%
Born in different state	4,410	82.3%
Foreign born	53	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	138	2.6%
Not a US citizen	125	90.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,152	21.5%
German	767	14.3%
French	472	8.8%
Arab	302	5.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	40	0.7%
Polish	31	0.6%
Irish	2	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.0%
Internet access	87.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Tupper Lake, NY have?

Tupper Lake, NY has one ZIP code: 12986. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.