County · New York
Rensselaer County, New York
Rensselaer County, New York. Rensselaer County had 160,510 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.4% since 2020, a smaller fall than New York's (−1.0%). It holds 29 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs, 14 towns and townships and 7 census-designated) and 48 census tracts. GEOID 36083.
Rensselaer County is one of the 5 counties of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
160,510
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 161,130 · ACS 2020-2024: 160,332
Median household income
$87,915
±$2,391 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$258,400
±$6,368 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,217
±$26 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Rensselaer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 161,130 residents in Rensselaer County. The Census Bureau estimates 160,510 for July 1, 2025, down 0.4% since 2020, a smaller fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 160,332 over 652 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rensselaer County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 160,332 | 19,852,366 | +1,147 |
| Households | 66,686±619 | 7,722,646 | +1,780 |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.02 | 2.49 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 74,543±105 | 8,585,241 | +1,532 |
Rensselaer County's population since 2000
From 152,538 in 2000 to 160,510 in 2025: up 5.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rensselaer County?
Rensselaer County holds 29 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Troy with 50,912 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Troy | 51,401 | $58,477 |
|---|---|---|
| East Greenbush (town) | 16,748 | $105,111 |
| North Greenbush (town) | 13,292 | $117,372 |
| Schodack (town) | 12,965 | $108,074 |
| Brunswick (town) | 12,581 | $107,350 |
| Rensselaer | 9,210 | $70,080 |
| Sand Lake (town) | 8,348 | $120,089 |
| Schaghticoke (town) | 7,445 | $107,083 |
| Hoosick (town) | 6,711 | $63,372 |
| East Greenbush | 6,266 | $118,393 |
| Pittstown (town) | 5,540 | $92,098 |
| Hampton Manor | 5,423 | $98,364 |
| Nassau (town) | 4,545 | $93,159 |
| Poestenkill (town) | 4,322 | $126,250 |
| Wynantskill | 4,050 | $108,558 |
| Hoosick Falls | 3,216 | $48,214 |
| Stephentown (town) | 2,791 | $88,617 |
| West Sand LakeGEOID 3680863 | 2,616 | $121,250 |
| Averill Park | 2,098 | $117,946 |
| Grafton (town) | 2,051 | $100,809 |
| Berlin (town) | 1,808 | $80,313 |
| Castleton-on-Hudson | 1,477 | $52,056 |
| Petersburgh (town) | 1,372 | $77,692 |
| Nassau | 1,103 | $84,781 |
| PoestenkillGEOID 3658794 | 1,020 | $113,036 |
| Nassau LakeGEOID 3649555 | 1,004 | not published |
| East Nassau | 559 | $77,813 |
| Schaghticoke | 527 | $54,643 |
| Valley Falls | 510 | $87,143 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rensselaer County?
The median resident of Rensselaer County is 40.1 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 18.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 6.5%. 5.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rensselaer County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1±0.3 | 39.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1%±0.1 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.3%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.2% | 19.8% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.7%±0.4 pts | 52.8% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.5%±0.5 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.2 pts | 9.0% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.6%±0.6 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.7%±0.6 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 14.6%±0.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.4%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6%±0.7 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.6%±1.6 pts | 40.2% | +5.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.5%±0.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.4 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 Rensselaer County earn?
Half of Rensselaer County's 66,686 households earn less than $87,915 a year (±$2,391), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $84,907 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rensselaer County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,915±$2,391 | $85,974 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $107,086±$2,735 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,000±$1,084 | $50,712 | +$1,814 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.8%±1.0 pts | 14.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.8%±2.8 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.9%±0.9 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.6%±0.9 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 Rensselaer County?
Owners occupy 64.8% of Rensselaer County's occupied homes and renters 35.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $258,400 by its owner (±$6,368). The median renter pays $1,217 a month including utilities, and 38.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rensselaer County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $258,400±$6,368 | $423,800 | +$26,168 |
| Median gross rent | $1,217±$26 | $1,621 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.8%±3.0 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,940±$43 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.8%±1.2 pts | 54.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Housing units | 74,543±105 | 8,585,241 | +1,532 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±1.0 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.0%±1.0 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.5%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.2%±1.2 pts | 30.3% | – |
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 Rensselaer County building?
Builders took permits for 335 new housing units across Rensselaer County in 2025 (165 single-family), 2.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rensselaer County get to work?
72.2% of Rensselaer County's workers drive alone and 14.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Rensselaer County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.6%±0.9 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±0.7 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.2%±1.3 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.7%±0.7 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.4%±0.5 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±0.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.0%±1.0 pts | 14.9% | +10.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.0 min±0.7 | 32.6 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 are Rensselaer County's census tracts?
Rensselaer County is divided into 48 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,016 (Tract 404) to $132,019 (Tract 522.04).
All 48 census tracts of Rensselaer County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rensselaer County compare with New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 23rd of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 62 |
| Median household income | 11th of 62 |
| Median home value | 21st of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 18th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 42nd of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18th of 62 |
| Median age | 46th of 62 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Rensselaer County 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' school search.