Rensselaer County, NY

County

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Population

159,431

0.231% 1-year decline

US Senator

Chuck Schumer

Democratic Party

US Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand

Democratic Party

Median Age

39.9

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Household Income

$65,851

4.25% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$185,100

0.927% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

81,001

0.662% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Rensselaer County, NY had a population of 159k people with a median age of 39.9 and a median household income of $65,851. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Rensselaer County, NY declined from 159,800 to 159,431, a -0.231% decrease and its median household income grew from $63,166 to $65,851, a 4.25% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Rensselaer County, NY are White (Non-Hispanic) (83.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.93%), White (Hispanic) (2.77%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.58%). NaNk% of the people in Rensselaer County, NY speak a non-English language, and 97.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Rensselaer County, NY are Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2,002 degrees awarded in 2017), Hudson Valley Community College (1,846 degrees), and The Sage Colleges (883 degrees).

The median property value in Rensselaer County, NY is $185,100, and the homeownership rate is 63.1%. Most people in Rensselaer County, NY commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 23.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Rensselaer County, NY is 2 cars per household.

Rensselaer County, NY borders Berkshire County, MA, Albany County, NY, Columbia County, NY, Greene County, NY, Saratoga County, NY, Washington County, NY, and Bennington County, VT.

United States New York Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for New York. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in New York, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New York (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of New York across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Rensselaer County, NY went to Donald J. Trump with 47.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (45.7%), followed by Other (7.15%). The most partisan county was Bronx County, NY with 88.5% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are the senators currently representing the state of New York. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

New York is currently represented by 27 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (47.1%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (45.7%)
Democratic Party
Other (7.15%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in New York went to Donald J. Trump with 47.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (45.7%), followed by Other (7.15%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in New York for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of New York.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Rensselaer County, NY

47.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in New York

Bronx County, NY
88.5% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
New York County, NY
86.6% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Kings County, NY
79.5% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in New York was Bronx County, NY with 88.5% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in New York colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from New York

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

Chuck Schumer

Senator from New York

Assumed office on January 3, 1999

Kirsten Gillibrand

Senator from New York

Assumed office on January 26, 2009

Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are the senators currently representing New York.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in New York over time, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from New York

New York is currently represented by 27 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for New York have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Rensselaer County, NY is home to a population of 159k people, from which 97.6% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.87% of Rensselaer County, NY residents were born outside of the country (7.77k people).

In 2018, there were 14.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (133k people) in Rensselaer County, NY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.68k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rensselaer County, NY

White (Non-Hispanic)
133k ± 57
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
9.4k ± 403
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
4.68k ± 462

4.8%

Hispanic Population

7.65k people

4.8% of the people in Rensselaer County, NY are hispanic (7.65k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Rensselaer County, NY as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.87%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

7.77k people

4.9%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

7.84k people

As of 2018, 4.87% of Rensselaer County, NY residents (7.77k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rensselaer County, NY was 4.9%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Rensselaer County, NY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.4

In 2018, the median age of all people in Rensselaer County, NY was 39.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Rensselaer County, NY are getting staying the same age. In 2017, the average age of all Rensselaer County, NY residents was 40.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New York.

Most Common Origin

Dominican Republic
505,406 ± 17,230 people
China
402,542 ± 15,418 people
Jamaica
239,917 ± 11,952 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New York was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 505,406 New York residents, followed by China with 402,542 and Jamaica with 239,917.

Citizenship

97.6%

2018 Citizenship

97.7%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.6% of Rensselaer County, NY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Rensselaer County, NY was 97.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Rensselaer County, NY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,775 ± 323
Gulf War (2001-)
1,221 ± 245
Gulf War (1990s)
958 ± 197

Rensselaer County, NY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.09 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Rensselaer County, NY is $65,851. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Rensselaer County, NY was Census Tract 524.02 with a value of $115,750, followed by Census Tract 522.01 and Census Tract 524.04, with respective values of $98,495 and $94,548.

Males in New York have an average income that is 1.3 times higher than the average income of females, which is $59,246. The income inequality in New York (measured using the Gini index) is 0.499, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Rensselaer County, NY employs 81k people. The largest industries in Rensselaer County, NY are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,948 people), Educational Services (9,452 people), and Public Administration (8,288 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($78,649), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($64,202), and Public Administration ($57,785).

Wages

Median Household Income

$65,851

2018 value

± $1,775

4.25%

1 Year Growth

± 3.65%

Households in Rensselaer County, NY have a median annual income of $65,851, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $63,166 in 2017, which represents a 4.25% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Rensselaer County, NY compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New York.

$76,804

Average Male Salary in New York

± $1,164

$59,246

Average Female Salary in New York

± $829

In 2017, full-time male employees in New York made 1.3 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in New York by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New York.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in New York

White
$65,105 ± $849
Asian
$62,456 ± $2,350
Two or More Races
$46,207 ± $3,026

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of New York workers was White. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in New York.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in New York by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Rensselaer County, NY is from New York.

0.499

2017 Wage GINI in New York

0.497

2016 Wage GINI in New York

In 2017, the income inequality in New York was 0.499 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.362% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for New York was higher than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in New York in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in New York across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 524.02
Census Tract 522.01
Census Tract 524.04

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Rensselaer County, NY was Census Tract 524.02 with a value of $115,750, followed by Census Tract 522.01 and Census Tract 524.04, with respective values of $98,495 and $94,548.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Rensselaer County, NY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rensselaer County, NY (18.5k out of 154k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
12,914 ± 756
Black
2,974 ± 353
Hispanic
2,180 ± 293

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Rensselaer County, NY is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

81k

2018 Value

± 1,878

0.662%

1 Year growth

± 3.2%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Rensselaer County, NY grew at a rate of 0.662%, from 80.5k employees to 81k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rensselaer County, NY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,993 people), Management Occupations (7,924 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (7,030 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rensselaer County, NY.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Rensselaer County, NY, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,993 people), Management Occupations (7,924 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (7,030 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Rensselaer County, NY has an unusually high number of residents working as Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.41 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.4 times), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1.27 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Rensselaer County, NY, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($86,050), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($75,190), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($73,688).

Industries

Employment by Industries

81k

2018 Value

± 1,878

0.662%

1 Year growth

± 3.2%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Rensselaer County, NY grew at a rate of 0.662%, from 80.5k employees to 81k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rensselaer County, NY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,948 people), Educational Services (9,452 people), and Public Administration (8,288 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rensselaer County, NY, though some of these residents may live in Rensselaer County, NY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Rensselaer County, NY, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,948 people), Educational Services (9,452 people), and Public Administration (8,288 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Rensselaer County, NY has an unusually high number of Public Administration (2.2 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.35 times), and Educational Services (1.26 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Rensselaer County, NY, by median earnings, are Utilities ($78,649), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($64,202), and Public Administration ($57,785).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from New York to other states, or from other states to New York.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound New York product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $67.6B, followed by Electronics ($47.2B) and Misc. mfg. prods. ($45.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound New York products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for New York.

$570B

2015 Value in New York

$854B

Projected 2045 Value in New York

49.9% growth

In 2015, total outbound New York trade was $570B. This is expected to increase 49.9% to $854B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound New York trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from New York to other states, or from other states to New York.

Most Common Trade Partners

New Jersey
$34.6B
Pennsylvania
$29.6B
Connecticut
$18.8B

In 2015, the top outbound New York domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Jersey with $34.6B, followed by Pennsylvania with $29.6B and Connecticut and $18.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that New York shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Rensselaer County, NY awarded 4,797 degrees. The student population of Rensselaer County, NY is skewed towards men, with 11,321 male students and 9,960 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Rensselaer County, NY are White (3,284 and 73.7%), followed by Asian (331 and 7.43%), Hispanic or Latino (277 and 6.22%), and Black or African American (266 and 5.97%).

The largest universities in Rensselaer County, NY by number of degrees awarded are Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2,002 and 41.7%), Hudson Valley Community College (1,846 and 38.5%), and The Sage Colleges (883 and 18.4%).

The most popular majors in Rensselaer County, NY are General Business Administration & Management (415 and 8.65%), Mechanical Engineering (278 and 5.8%), and General Studies (230 and 4.79%).

The median tuition costs in Rensselaer County, NY are $39,682 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
106 degree-majorss awarded
Mechanical Engineering
226 degree-majorss awarded
Computer Science
167 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Rensselaer County, NY was General Business Administration & Management with 106 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Rensselaer County, NY according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2,002 degrees awarded
Hudson Valley Community College
1,846 degrees awarded
The Sage Colleges
883 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$39,682

Median Private

In 2017, the Rensselaer County, NY institution with the largest number of graduating students was Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with 2,002 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,557

Degrees Awarded to Men

2,240

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 2,557 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Rensselaer County, NY, which is 1.14 times more than the 2,240 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Rensselaer County, NY by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,284 degrees awarded
Asian
331 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
277 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Rensselaer County, NY were to White students. These 3,284 degrees mean that there were 9.92 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 331 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Rensselaer County, NY was $185,100 in 2018, which is 0.806 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $183,400 to $185,100, a 0.927% increase. The homeownership rate in Rensselaer County, NY is 63.1%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Rensselaer County, NY have an average commute time of 23.4 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Rensselaer County, NY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$185,100

2018 Median

± $2,875

$183,400

2017 Median

± $2,983

In 2018, the median property value in Rensselaer County, NY grew to to $185,100 from the previous year's value of $183,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Rensselaer County, NY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Rensselaer County, NY the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$65,851

Median Household Income

± $1,775

64.6k

Number of Households

± 1,677

In 2018, the median household income of the 64.6k households in Rensselaer County, NY grew to $65,851 from the previous year's value of $63,166.

The following chart displays the households in Rensselaer County, NY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Rensselaer County, NY distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Rensselaer County, NY the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

63.1%

2018 Homeownership

63.4%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 63.1% of the housing units in Rensselaer County, NY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 63.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Rensselaer County, NY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

23.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Rensselaer County, NY have a shorter commute time (23.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 1.84% of the workforce in Rensselaer County, NY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Rensselaer County, NY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
81.2%
Carpooled
7.91%
Worked At Home
3.51%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Rensselaer County, NY was Drove Alone (81.2%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.91%) and those who Worked At Home (3.51%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Rensselaer County, NY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Rensselaer County, NY have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

95.7% of the population of Rensselaer County, NY has health coverage, with 55.7% on employee plans, 16.4% on Medicaid, 12.2% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 0.954% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in New York was $9,778 in 2014. This is a 4.57% increase from the previous year ($9,351).

Primary care physicians in Rensselaer County, NY see 1908 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.46% decrease from the previous year (1997 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2255 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 673 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Bronx County and Oswego County have the highest prevalence of diabetes (12.2%). Additionally, Chemung County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (33.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,908 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Rensselaer County, NY

Primary care physicians in Rensselaer County, NY see an average of 1,908 patients per year. This represents a 4.46% decrease from the previous year (1,997 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Rensselaer County, NY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New York.

$9,778

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in New York

$5,338

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,803

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,179

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in New York (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.57%, from $9,351 to $9,778.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.25%

Uninsured

55.7%

Employer Coverage

16.4%

Medicaid

12.2%

Medicare

10.5%

Non-Group

0.954%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rensselaer County, NY declined by 10.9% from 4.77% to 4.25%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Rensselaer County, NY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.