Saranac Lake is a village located in the state of New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 5,041. The village is named after Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes, which are nearby.
The Village of Saranac Lake is split between three towns (Harrietstown, St. Armand, and North Elba) and two counties, Franklin and Essex. The village boundaries do not touch the shores of any of the three Saranac Lakes; Lower Saranac Lake is a half mile west of the village. The northern reaches of Lake Flower, which is part of the Saranac River, lie within the village. The town of Saranac is an entirely separate entity, 33 miles to the northeast.
The village lies within the boundaries of the Adirondack State Park, about seven miles from Lake Placid. These two villages, along with nearby Tupper Lake, comprise what is known as the Tri-Lakes region.
CultureMany tourists come to the village, which is unusually attractive owing to its setting and the preservation of unique older architecture. Much of the village fronts on Lake Flower, which was created by a dam in the Saranac River and named after Governor Roswell P. Flower.
Summer visitors enjoy canoeing and other forms of boating, hiking in the forest, climbing in the nearby mountains, and visiting the local shops and restaurants. Camping is also a popular pastime in the Saranac Lake region (List of area's state campgrounds). During the long, cold, and snowy winters, visitors to Saranac Lake participate in cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and many other activities.
There is also an annual week-long winter carnival, an event that has brought people together in celebration of winter for over 100 years. Each year the carnival is given a theme - 2007's theme was 'The Fabulous 50's.' The Winter Carnival parade reflects the theme, and Garry Trudeau, the creator of the comic strip Doonesbury who grew up in the town, creates artwork for a button that can be purchased each winter. The carnival's main attraction is the ice palace, along with various winter activities and competitions. These include a parade, which normally has several Bagpipe and drum marching bands and the always favorite Lawn Chair Ladies, along with more usual floats and local school bands. Each year a Winter Carnival King and Queen, whom preside over carnival activities, are selected from village residents based upon their contribution to Saranac Lake. There is also a winter rugby game.
A non-profit Village Improvement Society, dating from 1910, currently owns and maintains eight parks. The extensive parkland along the lakefront, now owned by the village, is the result of the Society's earlier efforts.
Every year the popular Bud Light Can Am Rugby Tournament (the largest such tournament in the Western Hemisphere) is held in the village.
Artists' residencesThe composer Béla Bartók spent summers in Saranac Lake and wrote some of his best-known works there. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson had a cottage in Saranac Lake, which still stands along with a museum dedicated to him.
The cartoonist Garry Trudeau, who draws the Doonesbury comic strip, was raised in Saranac Lake. He is the great-grandson of Edward Trudeau, described above. Garry Trudeau has maintained his connections to Saranac Lake; see [1]; [2].
TransportationThe Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) is 8 miles northwest of the village.
Adirondack Trailways serves Saranac Lake, and is part of the Greyhound bus system.
There is also local bus service from Franklin County Public Transportation and local taxi services.
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad (a seasonal tourist attraction) to Lake Placid originates from the village train depot.
All three of the major highways that go through Saranac Lake are also bicycle routes.
GeographySaranac Lake is located at (44.325988, -74.130944)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²). 7.2 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (7.33%) is water.
The village is located at the junction of the Towns of North Elba and St.Armand in Essex County, and Harrietstown in Franklin County.
The village is at the intersection of New York State Route 3 and New York State Route 86. Essex County Road 33 enters the village from the southeast, and Franklin County Road 47 joins NY-86 immediately north of the village.
DemographicsAs of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 5,041 people, 2,369 households, and 1,182 families residing in the village. The population density was 700.1/km² (1,812.0/mi²). There were 2,854 housing units at an average density of 396.4/km² (1,025.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.87% White, 0.75% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 2,369 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 40.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the village the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $29,754, and the median income for a family was $42,153. Males had a median income of $32,188 versus $24,759 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,590. About 8.5% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
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