Find Family Counselors Serving
Plattsburgh, NY

Frequently asked questions

Plattsburgh, NY

Plattsburgh is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, New York, United States, situated on the north-western shore of Lake Champlain. The population was 19,841 at the 2020 census. The population of the surrounding (and separately incorporated) Town of Plattsburgh was 11,886 as of the 2020 census, making the combined population of Plattsburgh to be 31,727. Plattsburgh lies just to the northeast of Adirondack Park, immediately outside of the park boundaries. It is the second largest community in the North Country region (after Watertown), and serves as the main commercial hub for the sparsely populated northern Adirondack Mountains. The land around what is referred to as Plattsburgh was previously inhabited by the Iroquois, Western Abenaki, Mohican, and Mohawk people. Samuel de Champlain was the first ever recorded European who sailed into Champlain Valley and later claimed the region as a part of New France in 1609.

Plattsburgh was the site of the amphibious Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812, a key American victory that marked the end of hostilities in the Northern United States. It has been an important military outpost for much of its history, from hosting one of the largest Citizens' Military Training Camps before World War I, and Plattsburgh Air Force Base, the east coast center of operations for the Strategic Air Command during much of the Cold War period. The conversion of the base to a civilian airport in the 1990s resulted from the Base Realignment and Closure process during the wind-down of the Cold War, and today it serves as a hub for economic development for the region. The city was named one of the Financial Times Top 10 Micro City of the Future several times.

Plattsburgh was founded by Zephaniah Platt in 1785 after he was granted the land by George Clinton. Platt, who was from Poughkeepsie, New York, established the new city of Plattsburgh to buffer emerging American interests in the Saint Lawrence River Valley and Lake Champlain Valley after the American victory in the American Revolutionary War. The centralized American authority proclaimed Plattsburgh in 1785. On March 3, 1815, an act was passed by the New York State legislature incorporating the Village of Plattsburgh out of an area that was formerly the eastern part of the town. The first village elections were held on May 2 of that year.

Plattsburgh is at 44°41′43″N 73°27′30″W (44.695365, −73.458593). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 6.6 square miles (17.0 km²), of which 5.1 square miles (13.1 km²) is land and 1.5 square miles (4.0 km²) (23.40%) is water. Plattsburgh is on the western shore of Lake Champlain, in the northeastern part of the state of New York, just south of Cumberland Head. The Saranac River flows through the city, emptying into Lake Champlain.

Plattsburgh, NY, takes a proactive approach to health and wellness. CVPH Medical Center is a leading healthcare institution committed to providing high-quality medical services to the community. The Plattsburgh City Beach, nestled on the shores of Lake Champlain, is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and relaxation. In addition, Plattsburgh State Field House offers fitness facilities and organized sports activities for residents. Adirondack Wellness Group provides a range of holistic therapies, including acupuncture, massage, and nutritional counseling. Planet Fitness offers a judgment-free environment with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and group fitness classes. ADK Yoga hosts yoga and meditation classes focused on enhancing flexibility and mindfulness. Champlain Valley CrossFit offers high-intensity interval training and personalized coaching to improve overall fitness. Adirondack Family Chiropractic focuses on spinal health, pain relief, and overall wellness with comprehensive chiropractic services. The SUNY Plattsburgh features a variety of group exercise classes, personal training, and modern fitness equipment.

Top sites in Plattsburgh, NY are Plattsburgh City Beach, Kent-Delord House Museum, and War of 1812 Museum.

Population: 19,867 (2023). ZIP codes: 12901, 12903. Area code: 518. Elevation: 183 feet (56 meters). Area: 6.59 sq mi (17.08 sq km²).

FAQs

What is Plattsburgh, NY famous for?

The City of Plattsburgh is a community that is extraordinary in its orientation to Lake Champlain and the Saranac River. Two internationally important events – the Battle of Valcour Island in 1776 and the Battle of Plattsburgh Bay in 1814 – have shaped the city's history. Residents value and celebrate the significance of their rich heritage. Based largely on Samuel de Champlain’s visit to the area in 1609, the Champlain Valley was French until 1763.

What is the ethnicity of Plattsburgh, NY?

In 2021, there were 25.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (17.3k people) in Plattsburgh, NY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 676 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 551 Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups. Plattsburgh, NY is home to a population of 20k people, of which 96.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.47% of Plattsburgh, NY residents were born outside of the country (1.09k people).

What is the crime rate in Plattsburgh, NY?

The crime rate in Plattsburgh is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 27 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Plattsburgh is 1 in 37. Based on FBI crime data, Plattsburgh is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Plattsburgh has a crime rate that is higher than 93% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Plattsburgh

Neighborhood Scout

Data USA

CVPH Medical Center

NY Destinations

U.S. Census Bureau

City-Data - Plattsburgh, New York

Niche

Adirondack Wellness Group

Planet Fitness

ADK Yoga

Champlain Valley CrossFit

Adirondack Family Chiropractic

SUNY Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh City Beach

Kent-Delord House Museum

War of 1812 Museum

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.