City · New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, city, in Schenectady County, New York. Schenectady had 69,471 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 67,047 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 68,847 (±39). GEOID 3665508.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
69,471
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 67,047 · ACS 2020-2024: 68,847 ±39
Median household income
$58,399
±$2,915 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$168,800
±$4,579 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,145
±$33 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Schenectady and what county is it in?
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York. It covers 10.8 square miles of land, 6,203 residents per square mile in 2020.
Schenectady is in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Schenectady, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 69,471 people lived in Schenectady on July 1, 2025, up 3.6% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. The 2020 Census counted 67,047 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 68,847 (±39).
| Measure | Schenectady | Schenectady County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 68,847 ±39 | 160,369 | +3,513 |
| Households | 29,184 ±774 | 66,902 | +6,360 |
| Average household size | 2.22 ±0.06 | 2.32 | −0.49 |
| Housing units | 31,417 ±736 | 71,244 | no clear change |
Schenectady's population since 2000
From 61,821 in 2000 to 69,471 in 2025: up 12.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Schenectady as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Schenectady?
The median resident of Schenectady is 36.1 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 47.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 18.7%. 14.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Schenectady | Schenectady County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1 ±1.0 | 39.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.9% ±1.0 pts | 21.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.1% ±1.0 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Male | 49.2% ±0.9 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.7% ±0.8 pts | 8.3% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 47.5% ±1.5 pts | 67.7% | −5.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 18.7% ±1.6 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.9% ±0.8 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 11.6% ±1.5 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±1.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.6% ±1.4 pts | 10.0% | −2.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.7% ±1.3 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7% ±0.8 pts | 5.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.4% ±1.4 pts | 13.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9% ±1.0 pts | 3.1% | −1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.7% ±1.3 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.4% ±1.7 pts | 36.1% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.1% ±1.1 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.3% ±1.9 pts | 88.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7% ±0.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Schenectady earn?
Half of Schenectady's 29,184 households earn less than $58,399 a year (±$2,915), against $79,623 in Schenectady County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $55,920 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 23.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Schenectady | Schenectady County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,399 ±$2,915 | $79,623 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,372 ±$5,052 | $102,936 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,175 ±$2,202 | $43,516 | +$4,073 |
| People below the poverty line | 23.8% ±2.3 pts | 13.3% | +4.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.7% ±6.0 pts | 17.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.2% ±2.4 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.7% ±1.4 pts | 95.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1% ±1.9 pts | 89.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Schenectady?
Owners occupy 45.6% of Schenectady's occupied homes and renters 54.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,800 by its owner (±$4,579). The median renter pays $1,145 a month including utilities, and 50.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Schenectady | Schenectady County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,800 ±$4,579 | $235,700 | +$35,024 |
| Median gross rent | $1,145 ±$33 | $1,194 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.6% ±4.2 pts | 44.4% | +8.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,596 ±$50 | $1,875 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 45.6% ±2.3 pts | 64.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 54.4% ±2.3 pts | 36.0% | – |
| Housing units | 31,417 ±736 | 71,244 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9% ±1.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 39.1% ±2.1 pts | 59.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.5% ±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 48.7% ±2.3 pts | 31.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 21.0% ±2.2 pts | 12.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Schenectady building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Schenectady in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 1.9 across New York.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Schenectady work and get to work?
67.3% of Schenectady's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.7%.
| Measure | Schenectady | Schenectady County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6% ±2.0 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.7% ±1.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.3% ±2.4 pts | 71.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7% ±2.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 6.5% ±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 4.7% ±1.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9% ±1.4 pts | 14.3% | +7.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.0 min ±0.9 | 22.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Schenectady?
21 census tracts lie mostly in Schenectady (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $14,329 (Tract 210.02) to $96,207 (Tract 201.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 207Schenectady County | 6,053 | $64,073 |
| Tract 205Schenectady County | 5,050 | $74,697 |
| Tract 217Schenectady County | 4,426 | $54,472 |
| Tract 209Schenectady County | 3,821 | $32,336 |
| Tract 218.02Schenectady County | 4,392 | $69,025 |
| Tract 332Schenectady County | 3,707 | $69,258 |
| Tract 208Schenectady County | 3,653 | $31,902 |
| Tract 334Schenectady County | 3,485 | $69,176 |
| Tract 206Schenectady County | 3,443 | $84,525 |
| Tract 216Schenectady County | 3,406 | $67,813 |
| Tract 214Schenectady County | 3,090 | $55,012 |
| Tract 201.01Schenectady County | 2,995 | $96,207 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Schenectady) · Census block assignment files
How does Schenectady compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Schenectady is the 562nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 9th-most populous of 594 in New York.
Schenectady ranks 1,427th of 1,623 places in New York with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 9th | 594 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 78th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 97th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 1,427th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 1,273rd | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 1,152nd | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 710th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 80th | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,105th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,465th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,579th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 818th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 1,198th | 1,652 |
Schenectady's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Schenectady with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Schenectady?
3 of the 57 figures for Schenectady on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Schenectady are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Schenectady.