Potsdam
RANK #200 / 996 NAT · #10 / 45 NY · POP 108,670
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
St. Lawrence County, New York, stands out as the largest county by land area in New York State, excluding New York City, and is the fifth largest east of the Mississippi River. Located in the northern part of the state, it borders the St. Lawrence River and Canada, with its southeastern third extending into the Adirondack Park. Canton serves as the county seat, one of several notable towns alongside Potsdam, Ogdensburg, and Massena. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling, across its numerous rivers, lakes, and trails. Commutes within the county are typically under 20 minutes.
Life in St. Lawrence County offers a rural feel with access to higher education through institutions like Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Potsdam, and SUNY Canton. The cost of living is lower than the national average, and most residents own their homes. The economy is supported by a mix of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, and agriculture, particularly dairy farming. Recent economic developments include investments in renewable energy projects, such as solar facilities, and programs aimed at fostering local entrepreneurship and business development. Public sector employment, including the state prison system and educational institutions, also plays a significant role.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New York State Artificial Intelligence Data Center
Undisclosed Developer (likely hyperscaler)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
St Lawrence Data and Agricultural Center
ZeroC Data Centers, LLC
|
$500M | Active In Queue |
|
Corning Canton Facility Expansion
Corning Incorporated
|
$315M | Planned |
|
Rich Road Solar Energy Center with Battery Storage
Rich Road Solar Energy Center, LLC
|
$260M | Planned |
|
Two Rivers Solar Project
Boralex LLC
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Gateway Solar Energy Center
Gateway Solar Energy Center, LLC
|
$180M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Lawrence County ranks #200 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $58,339 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, St. Lawrence County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $114,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.51 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $788/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in St. Lawrence County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +2.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.59% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Lawrence County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.