City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Schenectady, NY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Schenectady - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

68,521
Residents
$56,398
Median income
$152,000
Median home
$1,702
Median rent (state)

Schenectady - the verdict

Schenectady ranks in the 29th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
27th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
9th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Schenectady, NY

Schenectady is a small city in New York, home to 68,521 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Schenectady brings in $56,398 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 19.3%. Typical homes in Schenectady are valued around $152,000, and the median resident age is 35.8 years. Educational attainment runs 23.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Schenectady's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3775.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New York scores 107.9 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,702 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New York's average monthly utility costs around $285 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 71.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

68,521 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$56,398 /yr

Poverty 19.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Schenectady compare to other US cities?

Schenectady measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 27% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New York, Schenectady ranks #46 of 55 New York cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Schenectady's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New York, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

29thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Schenectady's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Schenectady's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 30 Avg. percentile National median
Schenectady's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Schenectady's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$152,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 73% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Schenectady $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Schenectady, NY Schenectady, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Schenectady, NY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Schenectady, NY median $56,398/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Schenectady, NY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Schenectady, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
68,521
Median Income
$56,398
Median Home Value
$152,000
Median Age
35.8
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Labor force participation
55.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3775.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
645.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3129.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
32
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
66,000 residents67,000 residents68,000 residents69,000 residents70,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 66,931 residents 69,471 residents ▲ +3.8%
Schenectady's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 94
2021 121
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
67.7%
Carpool
8.9%
Public Transit
7.9%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
8.8%
Other
1.3%

Based on 30,206 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New York - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$65
avg/month
Total Utilities
$285
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New York state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New York state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Schenectady sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,702/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
71.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Mount Vernon
72,528 people
Utica
64,440 people
Cheektowaga
76,251 people
White Plains
59,818 people
Hempstead
58,569 people
New Rochelle
81,591 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Schenectady's 68,521 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Portland, ME
68,505 people
Gary, IN
68,604 people
Shawnee, KS
68,175 people
South Hill, WA
68,161 people
Eagan, MN
68,158 people
Union City, CA
68,141 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Schenectady's $56,398 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Blossom, TX
$56,397 median income
Fayetteville, NC
$56,395 median income
Salisbury, MD
$56,402 median income
Frackville, PA
$56,394 median income
Douglas, AL
$56,406 median income
Lost Bridge, AR
$56,406 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Schenectady, NY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Schenectady, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 49.9% 20.8% 8.3% 14.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.3% White 49.9% Black or African American 20.8% Asian 5.8% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 8.3% Two or more races 14.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Schenectady compares to nearby New York cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Schenectady (this city) 68,521 $56,398
Mount Vernon 72,528 $77,171
Utica 64,440 $51,513
Cheektowaga 76,251 $66,293
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Schenectady, NY?

What is the population of Schenectady, NY? +

Schenectady, NY has a population of 68,521 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Schenectady, NY? +

In Schenectady, the typical household earns $56,398 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Schenectady? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Schenectady; the closest available measure is the New York state average, a cost of living index of 107.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New York vary by metro area.

Is Schenectady, NY safe? +

Schenectady has a total crime rate of 3775.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Schenectady, NY? +

A typical home in Schenectady is worth $152,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.