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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Rensselaer County

New York · 161,130 residents · 652.459 sq mi
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The short version

Rensselaer County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $72,510. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $197,100.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
161,130
+6%since 2000
from 152,538 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
247 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 234 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.6
+8%since 2000
from 36.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
152K154K157K159K162K1990201020202024Rensselaer County
2024160K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,510
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,905 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,011
+75%since 2000
from $21,095 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
47.6%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 35.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information8.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$197,100
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$987
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $547 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.4%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 64.9% in 2000
38.6% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+17%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rensselaer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(137,562)
Black4.5%(6,870)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(3,225)
Asian1.7%(2,595)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.9%(30,304)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic77.3%(124,600)
Black7.3%(11,800)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(9,482)
Asian3.5%(5,711)
Other3.9%(6,254)
Diversity Score45.6%(73,479)
Segregation Score46.7%(75,323)
Diversity Score
46
+130%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
47
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.9%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 23.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.5%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+64%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
43.7%
−21.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.7%
−89.8 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rensselaer County

Hampshire County
Pop 164,065
Porter County
Pop 176,049
Johnson County
Pop 174,262
Martin County
Pop 166,272
Places similar to Rensselaer County
Head to head

Compare Rensselaer County to nearby counties

RENSSELAER COUNTY VS
Albany County
Income$85,333+18%
Home value$294,600+49%
Population321,225+100%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RENSSELAER COUNTY VS
Berkshire County
Income$76,013+5%
Home value$305,400+55%
Population128,224−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RENSSELAER COUNTY VS
Schenectady County
Income$79,623+10%
Home value$235,700+20%
Population162,581+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RENSSELAER COUNTY VS
Bennington County
Income$73,325+1%
Home value$279,900+42%
Population36,630−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rensselaer County, New York?

Rensselaer County, New York has about 161,130 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rensselaer County, New York earns about $72,510 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rensselaer County, New York expensive?

In Rensselaer County, New York, the median home is worth about $197,100, and the typical rent is about $987 a month.

How educated are people in Rensselaer County, New York?

About 33.9% of adults age 25 and over in Rensselaer County, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rensselaer County, New York?

About 10.8% of people in Rensselaer County, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rensselaer County, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Rensselaer County, New York has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,701 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

48 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 520.04Census Tract 522.03Census Tract 523.01Census Tract 525.02Census Tract 525.01Census Tract 518Census Tract 524.07Census Tract 413Census Tract 402Census Tract 522.01Census Tract 401Census Tract 519.01Census Tract 523.06Census Tract 520.03Census Tract 524.06Census Tract 410Census Tract 516.02Census Tract 412Census Tract 407.01Census Tract 414
26 ZIP codes
ZIP 12180ZIP 12144ZIP 12182ZIP 12061ZIP 12033ZIP 12018ZIP 12198ZIP 12090ZIP 12123ZIP 12196ZIP 12154ZIP 12138ZIP 12094ZIP 12121ZIP 12052ZIP 12168ZIP 12185ZIP 12062ZIP 12140ZIP 12022ZIP 12156ZIP 12153ZIP 12063ZIP 12169ZIP 12040ZIP 12082
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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