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CITY

Schenectady

New York · 69,471 residents (2025 est.) · 10.808 sq mi
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The short version

Schenectady has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $58,399. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $168,800. The poverty rate of 23.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
68,847
+11%since 2000
from 61,821 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,370 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 5,720 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.1
+4%since 2000
from 34.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:69,471 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
61K63K65K67K70K1990201020202024Schenectady
202469K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,399
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,378 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,175
+100%since 2000
from $17,076 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.8%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
23.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.495
+16%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$168,800
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,145
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $548 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
45.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 44.7% in 2000
54.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.1%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.3%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.3%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+23%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
53
RELATED:See current rent listings in Schenectady on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.5%(46,069)
Black14%(8,651)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(3,632)
Asian2%(1,222)
Other0%
Diversity Score47.1%(29,115)
2024
White, non-Hispanic47.5%(32,679)
Black18.7%(12,865)
Hispanic / Latino12.7%(8,743)
Asian5.9%(4,071)
Other15.2%(10,489)
Diversity Score87.1%(59,978)
Diversity Score
87
+85%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.4%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.7%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+62%since 2000
from 13.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.3%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 72.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
6.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.9%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 62.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.2%
−25.2 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
14.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−43.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
+2.5 ptssince 2012
from 13.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−82.4 ptssince 2013
from 87.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.1%
+12.1 ptssince 2017
from 74.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 85.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 5.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SCHENECTADY VS
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SCHENECTADY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Schenectady, New York?

Schenectady, New York has about 68,847 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Schenectady, New York earns about $58,399 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Schenectady, New York expensive?

In Schenectady, New York, the median home is worth about $168,800, and the typical rent is about $1,145 a month.

How educated are people in Schenectady, New York?

About 25.4% of adults age 25 and over in Schenectady, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Schenectady, New York?

About 23.8% of people in Schenectady, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Schenectady, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Schenectady, New York has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,281 residents, a change of about 5 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 →