| City: | North River, New York |
| County: | Warren County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:48:18 PM |
| Population: | 220 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 518 / 838 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 43.6327, -74.1309 |
| Land Area: | 64.221 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
North River sits in the southern Adirondacks of Warren County, where seasonal residents far outnumber year-round inhabitants. Of the 284 housing units scattered across this 66-square-mile territory, only 103 are occupied year-round. The remaining 181 units (57% of all homes) are used seasonally, mostly as vacation properties for families drawn to the region's lakes, mountains, and forests.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across this rural expanse. The North River post office maintains 160 PO Boxes for 103 occupied households, resulting in an adoption rate of 1.55. That means the post office serves not just local residents but also seasonal homeowners, nearby camps, and scattered properties throughout the surrounding area. With only two rural carrier routes covering 66 square miles, PO Boxes provide reliable mail access where street delivery isn't feasible.
Median age here is 55.3 years, well above the national average. This isn't a community of young families. It's retirees, second-homeowners, and established residents who value the quiet and remoteness. Despite the rural setting, 73% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, one of the highest education rates for any PO Box ZIP in New York. Median home values of $223,300 and household incomes around $58,714 indicate comfortable middle-class to upper-middle-class demographics.
Street names tell the story of this place. State Route 28 runs through the area as the main corridor. Roads like 13th Lake Road, Barton Mines Road, and Garnet Hill Road reference local geography and history. Names like Whispering Pines Way, Lakeview Lane, and Knotty Pine Lodge Road suggest the vacation character. This is mining country (the Barton Garnet Mine operates nearby) and lake country, with modest camps and seasonal homes tucked into the woods.
Street names reference Adirondack lakes, historic mining operations, and vacation property character.
ZIP Code 12856 has 220 residents and 103 households (average 2.14 persons per household). The median age is 55.3 years, significantly older than the state (39.0) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.0% male and 50.0% female, which is slightly higher than the state male share (48.4%). Largest groups are White (92.7%, much higher than the state average of 55.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (2.3%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.3%, which is much lower than the state average (19.5%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 220Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 260Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $59,200Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 103Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $243,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.14Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.17Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 117 | 48 | 73 | 66 | 70 | 131 | 144 | 137 | 218 | 291 | 281 | 313 | 300 | 260 |
| Decennial Census | 187 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 220 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 55.3
Male Median Age: 51
Female Median Age: 56.5
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 3 |
| Female | 3 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 4 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 21 | 11 | 27 | 27 | 14 | 4 | 8 |
| White: | 204 | 92.31% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.90% |
| Hispanic:* | 5 | 2.26% |
| Asian: | 2 | 0.90% |
| American Indian: | 5 | 2.26% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 1.36% |
| Total: | 221 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 110 | 50.00% | 51.0 years |
| Females: | 110 | 50.00% | 56.5 years |
| Total: | 220 | 100% | 55.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 253 | 97.31% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 7 | 2.69% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 2.69% |
| Total Population: | 260 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 253 | 97.31% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 7 | 2.69% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $59,200, which is far less than the national median ($80,734), is up $12,950 (28.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $8,736. Family households earn a median of $59,462 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $59,462). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $33,625, which is much lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $33,625 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 76.4%, which is markedly above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (65.4%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $46,250 | $45,588 | $46,484 | $48,417 | $0 | $48,705 | $0 | $50,952 | $50,464 | $48,958 | $51,402 | $56,141 | $58,714 | $59,200 |
| Median Family Income | $172,566 | $46,397 | $47,266 | $49,333 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $85,125 | $49,625 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $59,462 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $40,521 | $12,292 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $44,191 | $45,078 | $48,487 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $33,625 |
| Employed: | 188 | 76.42% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 58 | 23.58% |
| Total: | 246 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 123 | 65.43% |
| Service: | 21 | 11.17% |
| Sales and Office: | 18 | 9.57% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 26 | 13.83% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 188 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $243,400, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $72,400 (22.93%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $72,800. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 58.86% (48.39% with a mortgage, 51.61% free-and-clear) and renters 41.14% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 54.99%, which is much higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $315,800 | $261,800 | $283,000 | $272,400 | $256,300 | $164,800 | $164,200 | $157,500 | $170,600 | $173,500 | $237,500 | $234,600 | $223,300 | $243,400 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 65 | 100.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 65 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 45 | 28.48% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 48 | 30.38% |
| Renter Occupied: | 65 | 41.14% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 158 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 158 | 45.01% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 193 | 54.99% |
| Total Housing Units: | 351 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 342 | 97.44% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 9 | 2.56% |
| Total Housing Units: | 351 | 100% |
In 2024, 69.90% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is pre-K (100.00%). College enrollment is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 22 | 8.94% |
| Some college, no degree: | 33 | 13.41% |
| Associate's degree: | 19 | 7.72% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 58 | 23.58% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 114 | 46.34% |
| Total: | 246 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 246 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 172 | 69.92% |
| Private Insurance: | 147 | 49.16% |
| Public Insurance: | 152 | 50.84% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 299 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 299 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 14 | 100.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 14 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 14 | 100.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0.00% |
ZIP Code 12856 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 9 business establishments, employing about 111 people with an annual payroll of $7,434,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 166Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 9Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,601,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $7,434,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 111Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 12856 is located in Warren County, New York, within the Glens Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 24020) and New York's 21st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 128,923 people, about 0.17% of whom live in ZIP Code 12856. It covers 64.221 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.073 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Glens Falls, NYSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 24020Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 128,923Source: Census |
| MSA: | Glens Falls, NY MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 64.221 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.073 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 21Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 15114.76 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 12856 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.