County · New York
Schenectady County, New York
Schenectady County, New York. Schenectady County had 162,581 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.9% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. It holds 14 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 5 towns and townships and 6 census-designated) and 45 census tracts. GEOID 36093.
Schenectady 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
162,581
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 158,061 · ACS 2020-2024: 160,369
Median household income
$79,623
±$2,743 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$235,700
±$3,709 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,194
±$28 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Schenectady County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 158,061 residents in Schenectady County. The Census Bureau estimates 162,581 for July 1, 2025, up 2.9% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 160,369 over 205 square miles of land.
| Measure | Schenectady County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 160,369 | 19,852,366 | +5,510 |
| Households | 66,902±527 | 7,722,646 | +12,600 |
| Average household size | 2.32±0.02 | 2.49 | −0.45 |
| Housing units | 71,244±105 | 8,585,241 | +1,629 |
Schenectady County's population since 2000
From 146,555 in 2000 to 162,581 in 2025: up 10.9%. 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 Schenectady County?
Schenectady County holds 14 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 5 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Schenectady with 69,471 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Schenectady | 67,047 | $58,399 |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam (town) | 30,523 | $86,331 |
| Glenville (town) | 29,326 | $98,423 |
| Niskayuna (town) | 23,278 | $137,349 |
| Rotterdam | 22,968 | $85,887 |
| Niskayuna | 20,787 | $134,052 |
| East Glenville | 11,896 | $96,588 |
| Scotia | 7,272 | $76,525 |
| Duanesburg (town) | 5,863 | $95,378 |
| Princetown (town) | 2,024 | $98,438 |
| Mariaville LakeGEOID 3645573 | 666 | $83,168 |
| DuanesburgGEOID 3620995 | 379 | not published |
| DelansonGEOID 3620082 | 335 | $113,750 |
| Duane LakeGEOID 3620989 | 329 | $142,150 |
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 Schenectady County?
The median resident of Schenectady County is 39.6 years old; 21.5% are under 18 and 17.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.6%. 10.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Schenectady County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6±0.4 | 39.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.5%±0.1 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.9%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.3% | 19.8% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 67.7%±0.5 pts | 52.8% | −4.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.6%±0.7 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.4 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 7.6%±0.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.0%±0.7 pts | 22.8% | −1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.6%±0.6 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.3%±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 13.1%±0.8 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1%±0.4 pts | 5.1% | −1.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7%±0.6 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.1%±1.2 pts | 40.2% | +4.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.8%±0.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.3 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 County earn?
Half of Schenectady County's 66,902 households earn less than $79,623 a year (±$2,743), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $80,609 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Schenectady County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,623±$2,743 | $85,974 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,936±$3,180 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,516±$1,279 | $50,712 | +$3,621 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.3%±1.1 pts | 14.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3%±2.8 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±1.3 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6%±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 Schenectady County?
Owners occupy 64.0% of Schenectady County's occupied homes and renters 36.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $235,700 by its owner (±$3,709). The median renter pays $1,194 a month including utilities, and 44.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Schenectady County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $235,700±$3,709 | $423,800 | +$26,974 |
| Median gross rent | $1,194±$28 | $1,621 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.4%±3.3 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,875±$41 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.0%±1.2 pts | 54.3% | −1.7 pts |
| Housing units | 71,244±105 | 8,585,241 | +1,629 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±1.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.5%±1.3 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.7%±1.4 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 Schenectady County building?
Builders took permits for 110 new housing units across Schenectady County in 2025 (66 single-family), 0.7 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 Schenectady County get to work?
71.2% of Schenectady County's workers drive alone and 14.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Schenectady County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.9%±1.0 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±0.7 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.2%±1.5 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±1.0 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.7%±0.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.3%±1.0 pts | 14.9% | +10.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.8 min±0.6 | 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 Schenectady County's census tracts?
Schenectady County is divided into 45 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $14,329 (Tract 210.02) to $185,464 (Tract 321.01).
All 45 census tracts of Schenectady 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 Schenectady County compare with New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 12th of 62 |
| Median household income | 18th of 62 |
| Median home value | 23rd of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 20th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 62 |
| Median age | 48th 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 Schenectady 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.