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CITY

Rensselaer

New York · 9,421 residents (2025 est.) · 3.179 sq mi
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The short version

Rensselaer has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $70,080. Population has grown 20% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $208,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,287
+20%since 2000
from 7,761 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,921 / sq mi
+20%since 2000
from 2,441 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
+3%since 2000
from 35.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,421 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K8K9K9K10K1990201020202024Rensselaer
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,080
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,730 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,895
+98%since 2000
from $19,674 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.2%
+22.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.9%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.399
−7%since 2010
from 0.429 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration4.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$208,900
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,219
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $509 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
43.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 49.7% in 2000
56.7% rent
Vacancy rate
12.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.0%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 39.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+24%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rensselaer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.9%(6,821)
Black6.9%(536)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(165)
Asian1.1%(85)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.8%(1,847)
2024
White, non-Hispanic66.6%(6,184)
Black8%(747)
Hispanic / Latino8%(739)
Asian10.3%(956)
Other7.1%(661)
Diversity Score66%(6,131)
Diversity Score
66
+177%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.1%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+87%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.5%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
5.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.2%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 70.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
42.3%
−17.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
53.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
9.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−45.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.8%
−87.4 ptssince 2013
from 90.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.6%
+16.5 ptssince 2017
from 74.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
85.6%
−9.5 ptssince 2016
from 95.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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RENSSELAER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Rensselaer, New York?

Rensselaer, New York has about 9,287 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rensselaer, New York?

The typical household in Rensselaer, New York earns about $70,080 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rensselaer, New York expensive?

In Rensselaer, New York, the median home is worth about $208,900, and the typical rent is about $1,219 a month.

How educated are people in Rensselaer, New York?

About 26.1% of adults age 25 and over in Rensselaer, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rensselaer, New York?

About 17.9% of people in Rensselaer, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rensselaer, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Rensselaer, New York has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,032 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →