Zip code 12870: Schroon Lake, New York

Q: What city is zip code 12870?

12870 is assigned to Schroon Lake, New York. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 12870 in?

12870 is mostly in Essex County, but it extends into 1 other county.

Q: What is the population of 12870?

About 1,756 people live in 12870, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 12870?

The median household income in 12870 is $72,628.

Q: What zip codes are near 12870?

The closest zip codes to 12870 are 12872, 12858, 12808, 12860, 12857.

Residential delivery areaEssex CountyEastern Time

Population

1,756

Median household income

$73K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$269K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$516/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

52.3

U.S. 38.9

Land area

98 sq mi

18 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 12870

12870 is a rural zip code in Schroon Lake, New York (Essex County), covering 98 sq mi of land. About 1,756 people live here, or 18 per square mile. The median resident is 52.3 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $72,628 a year, close to the national median of $80,734. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $268,700, or 3.7 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes about as affordable as the national average for local earners. 85% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $516 a month.

36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 14.8 minutes each way, and 32% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in food service; construction and repair; and management.

How 12870 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Housing vacancy57.9%
99th
U.S. 10.1% · NY 10%85th of 1,675 in NY
Median age52.3
97th
U.S. 38.9 · NY 39.8252nd of 1,693 in NY
Work from home32.3%
96th
U.S. 15.1% · NY 14.9%69th of 1,685 in NY
Residents 65 and older28.2%
96th
U.S. 17.2% · NY 17.9%256th of 1,693 in NY
Tech workers8.9%
95th
U.S. 3.8% · NY 3.5%44th of 1,685 in NY
Homeownership rate85.3%
89th
StrengthU.S. 65.2% · NY 54.3%552nd of 1,673 in NY
Veterans6.8%
63rd
U.S. 6.2% · NY 3.7%615th of 1,693 in NY
Bachelor's degree or higher36%
58th
U.S. 35.7% · NY 40.2%706th of 1,691 in NY
Self-employed workers9.9%
57th
U.S. 10% · NY 9.7%818th of 1,685 in NY
Government workers14.6%
57th
U.S. 14.5% · NY 16.4%1,186th of 1,685 in NY
Income inequality (Gini)0.439
54th
U.S. 0.483 · NY 0.517674th of 1,669 in NY
Per capita income$38,467
45th
U.S. $44,673 · NY $50,7121,026th of 1,690 in NY
Median earnings per worker$45,800
43rd
U.S. $49,666 · NY $55,3211,147th of 1,676 in NY
Median household income$72,628
40th
U.S. $80,734 · NY $85,9741,029th of 1,602 in NY
Median home value$268,700
37th
U.S. $332,700 · NY $423,800758th of 1,614 in NY
Broadband access90.2%
35th
U.S. 91% · NY 90.8%949th of 1,673 in NY
Rent-burdened renters45.6%
31st
U.S. 51.1% · NY 52.1%922nd of 1,579 in NY
Poverty rate7.3%
27th
U.S. 12.5% · NY 14%1,073rd of 1,679 in NY
Uninsured rate4.1%
23rd
U.S. 8.4% · NY 5.1%683rd of 1,689 in NY
Residents under 1817.1%
15th
U.S. 22% · NY 20.5%1,150th of 1,693 in NY
Foreign-born residents2.4%
14th
U.S. 14.1% · NY 22.8%1,132nd of 1,693 in NY
Population1,756
3rd
U.S. 334,922,499 · NY 19,852,3661,112th of 1,693 in NY
Unemployment rate1.6%
3rd
StrengthU.S. 5.2% · NY 6.4%1,383rd of 1,685 in NY
Population density18/sq mi
2nd
U.S. 95/sq mi · NY 421/sq mi1,606th of 1,693 in NY
Diversity index5.9
2nd
U.S. 61.4 · NY 65.51,539th of 1,693 in NY
Median gross rent$516
1st
U.S. $1,413 · NY $1,6211,363rd of 1,367 in NY
Average commute14.8 min
1st
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · NY 32.6 min1,577th of 1,618 in NY
Healthcare workers2.5%
1st
U.S. 9.7% · NY 11.8%1,569th of 1,685 in NY

Measure	12870	Essex	NY	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in NY
Housing vacancy	57.9%	35.9%	10%	10.1%	99th	85th of 1,675
Median age	52.3	49.9	39.8	38.9	97th	252nd of 1,693
Work from home	32.3%	13.2%	14.9%	15.1%	96th	69th of 1,685
Residents 65 and older	28.2%	26.4%	17.9%	17.2%	96th	256th of 1,693
Tech workers	8.9%	2%	3.5%	3.8%	95th	44th of 1,685
Homeownership rateStrength	85.3%	77.3%	54.3%	65.2%	89th	552nd of 1,673
Veterans	6.8%	8%	3.7%	6.2%	63rd	615th of 1,693
Bachelor's degree or higher	36%	32.8%	40.2%	35.7%	58th	706th of 1,691
Self-employed workers	9.9%	14.5%	9.7%	10%	57th	818th of 1,685
Government workers	14.6%	19.4%	16.4%	14.5%	57th	1,186th of 1,685
Income inequality (Gini)	0.439	0.455	0.517	0.483	54th	674th of 1,669
Per capita income	$38,467	$42,694	$50,712	$44,673	45th	1,026th of 1,690
Median earnings per worker	$45,800	$45,999	$55,321	$49,666	43rd	1,147th of 1,676
Median household income	$72,628	$71,661	$85,974	$80,734	40th	1,029th of 1,602
Median home value	$268,700	$211,900	$423,800	$332,700	37th	758th of 1,614
Broadband access	90.2%	91.9%	90.8%	91%	35th	949th of 1,673
Rent-burdened renters	45.6%	47%	52.1%	51.1%	31st	922nd of 1,579
Poverty rate	7.3%	11.2%	14%	12.5%	27th	1,073rd of 1,679
Uninsured rate	4.1%	5%	5.1%	8.4%	23rd	683rd of 1,689
Residents under 18	17.1%	15.4%	20.5%	22%	15th	1,150th of 1,693
Foreign-born residents	2.4%	4.1%	22.8%	14.1%	14th	1,132nd of 1,693
Population	1,756	36,973	19,852,366	334,922,499	3rd	1,112th of 1,693
Unemployment rateStrength	1.6%	4%	6.4%	5.2%	3rd	1,383rd of 1,685
Population density	18/sq mi	21/sq mi	421/sq mi	95/sq mi	2nd	1,606th of 1,693
Diversity index	5.9	16	65.5	61.4	2nd	1,539th of 1,693
Median gross rent	$516	$934	$1,621	$1,413	1st	1,363rd of 1,367
Average commuteStrength	14.8 min	22.7 min	32.6 min	26.4 min	1st	1,577th of 1,618
Healthcare workers	2.5%	11.4%	11.8%	9.7%	1st	1,569th of 1,685

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

15%

5–17

18–24

11%

25–34

15%

35–44

45–54

19%

55–64

17%

65–74

11%

75+

Median age

52.3

Under 18

17.1%

65 and over

28.2%

Race and ethnicity

White97%
Black0%
Hispanic0.3%
Asian0%
Native American0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0.3%
Multiracial2%

Diversity index

5.9

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

2.4%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

68%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

99%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

0.8%

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 767
Average household size: 2.3
Family households: 66.2%
Married couples: 58.7%
Living alone: 25%
Veterans (of adults): 6.8%
Male / female: 50% / 50%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

15%

$25–50k

19%

$50–75k

22%

$75–100k

19%

$100–150k

12%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

12870

$72,628

Essex Co.

$71,661

New York

$85,974

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$38,467

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

7.3%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

12.8%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.439

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

12870

$268,700

Essex Co.

$211,900

New York

$423,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

12870

$516

Essex Co.

$934

New York

$1,621

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

87%

2–4 units

5–19 units

0.2%

20+ units

0.8%

Mobile home

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 1,820
Owner-occupied: 85.3%
Vacant: 57.9%
Median year built: 1978
Median rooms: 5
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 45.6%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 42.7%
Home value to income: 3.7× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

49%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

10%

Bicycle

Worked from home

32%

Other

0.8%

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

59%

10–19

16%

20–29

30–44

11%

45–59

60+

Average commute

14.8 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

1.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

52.4%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Food service

15%

Construction and repair

14%

Management

13%

Office and admin

10%

Legal and social services

Computer and math

Business and finance

Education

Cleaning and personal care

Sales

Arts, media and sports

Healthcare

Transportation and moving

Production

0.8%

Engineering and science

Police and fire

Farming, fishing and forestry

Industries

Professional and technical services

17%

Education

16%

Other services

13%

Restaurants and hotels

12%

Construction

10%

Finance, insurance and real estate

Health care and social assistance

Retail

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Admin, support and management

Public administration

Information

Agriculture and mining

Arts and recreation

Wholesale

0.7%

Manufacturing

Median earnings per worker

$45,800

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

9.9%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

14.6%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

23.3%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	12870	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$57,898	$74,888
Service	$11,959	$26,804
Sales and office	$38,173	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$60,000	$49,199
Production and transportation	—	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

High school

27%

Some college

22%

Associate's

10%

Bachelor's

20%

Graduate

16%

High school graduate or higher: 95.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 36%
Graduate or professional degree: 15.9%
Households with broadband: 90.2%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 76.8%
No internet access: 6.1%
Without health insurance: 4.1%
Limited-English households: 0%

Geography

City (USPS): Schroon Lake
State: New York
County: Essex County
Center point: 43.8392° N, 73.7656° W
Land area: 98 sq mi
Water area: 6.3 sq mi
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

12870 spans 2 counties

Essex County98% of land
Warren County2% of land

Cities and towns within this zip

Schroon Lake (unincorporated)3% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 12870

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
12872	Severance, NY	3.7 mi	22	—	—
12858	Paradox, NY	4.1 mi	118	$124,167	$333,300
12808	Adirondack, NY	6.3 mi	284	$110,192	$332,800
12860	Pottersville, NY	8.4 mi	419	$95,625	$215,400
12857	Olmstedville, NY	9 mi	606	$68,500	$203,800
12815	Brant Lake, NY	10 mi	1,140	$76,302	$287,500
12883	Ticonderoga, NY	11 mi	4,744	$65,865	$178,800
12836	Hague, NY	12 mi	498	$80,221	$322,200
12928	Crown Point, NY	13 mi	1,984	$82,813	$157,900
12855	North Hudson, NY	13 mi	208	$77,292	$170,000
12862	Riparius, NY	13 mi	127	—	$204,800
12817	Chestertown, NY	14 mi	2,168	$93,393	$327,600

Zip codes like 12870 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 12870

What city is zip code 12870?

12870 is assigned to Schroon Lake, New York. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 12870 in?

12870 is mostly in Essex County, but it extends into 1 other county.

What is the population of 12870?

About 1,756 people live in 12870, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 12870 in?

12870 is in Eastern Time.

What is the median household income in 12870?

The median household income in 12870 is $72,628.

What zip codes are near 12870?

The closest zip codes to 12870 are 12872, 12858, 12808, 12860, 12857.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 12870, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.