Albany is a city located in Albany County New York. Albany has a 2024 population of 102,076. Albany is currently growing at a rate of 0.84% annually and its population has increased by 3.44% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 98,682 in 2020.
The average household income in Albany is $76,486 with a poverty rate of 23.34%. The median age in Albany is 32 years: 31.4 years for males, and 32.7 years for females.
Albany is located on the Hudson River about 135 miles north of New York City.
Together with Saratoga Springs, Troy, and Schenectady, Albany forms the Capital District, which in turn is made up mostly of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy MSA. This is the 4th largest MSA in the state of New York and the 58th largest in the U.S. with a population of 870,000. The largest limit of metropolitan area around this city has a population of 1.17 million.
Albany has always been a city of immigrants. Originally it was settled by immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands, although the English overtook the city at the beginning of the 19th century. By the mid-19th century, immigrants from Ireland outnumbered almost all other ethnicities. Later Italians and Poles rose to a majority. In the 20th century, the African-American population began to grow. In 1950, African-Americans accounted for 3% of the people, which doubled by 1960 and again in 1970. By 2010, the African-American population was 30%.
The most common ancestry groups in Albany are Irish (18%), Italian (12%), German (10%), English (5%), and Polish (4%). Albany is noted for having a population that reflects the characteristics of the U.S. consumer population as a whole, more so than any other major city. In fact, Albany is one of the most common test markets for new products.
35 counties in New York experienced a population decline from 2010 to 2013, although downstate New York and Albany experienced population growth. While far from the fastest-growing region in the state, the Capital Region continues modest population growth, according to recent census estimates. Between 2010 and 2013, the region grew by 2,430 immigrants.
Dutch colonists formed the first European settlement in the Albany area in 1614 with the construction of Fort Nassau followed by Fort Orange being built a decade later in its place. The Dutch formed alliances with the Mohawk and Mahican people in the area and developed a fur trade that attracted more settlers. The English took over the nearby village of Beverwijck in 1664 and renamed it the city of Albany after the Duke of Albany. It was chartered under English rule in 1686 and became New York's capital in 1797 after the U.S. gained independence from England.
Throughout the 18th and 19th century, Albany was a major transportation and trade center, and its central location made it home to some of the world's earliest railroad systems. It was also one of the ten most populous cities in the country between 1810 and 1860.
Albany today is one of the oldest surviving settlements of the original 13 colonies, and it is the longest continuously chartered city in the country. It was one of the first cities on earth to install public sewer lines, water mains, electricity, and utilities that attracted new industry. It was also home to one of the world's first commercial airports, which later became Albany International Airport.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Albany was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 53,502 | 53.67% |
Black or African American | 27,802 | 27.89% |
Two or more races | 7,560 | 7.58% |
Asian | 7,122 | 7.14% |
Other race | 3,521 | 3.53% |
Native American | 155 | 0.16% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 30 | 0.03% |
White
Black or African American
Two or more races
Asian
Other race
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 43,435 | 2.05 | 36.7 | 63.3 |
Non Family | 25,357 | 1.38 | 26.6 | 73.4 |
Married | 10,363 | 2.99 | 67.1 | 32.9 |
Female | 6,351 | 2.95 | 26.8 | 73.2 |
Male | 1,364 | 3.13 | 42 | 58 |
2.88
Average Family Size
2.05
Average Household Size
36.7%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 3,877 | 6.2% |
Associates Degree | 5,646 | 9.03% |
Bachelors Degree | 13,837 | 22.14% |
Graduate Degree | 13,012 | 20.82% |
High School Graduate | 12,998 | 20.8% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 3,110 | 4.98% |
Some College | 10,016 | 16.03% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 34,981 | 33,311 | 19,523 |
Black | 16,806 | 13,935 | 3,397 |
Hispanic | 5,082 | 3,862 | 1,398 |
Asian | 3,648 | 2,617 | 1,726 |
2+ Races | 3,461 | 2,999 | 1,186 |
Other Race | 1,729 | 1,181 | 475 |
Native American | 63 | 62 | 45 |
Islander | 20 | 0 | 0 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among native american people with a rate of 98.41%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among native american people with a rate of 71.43%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $56,036 | $64,948 | $45,056 |
Graduate Degree | $71,559 | $77,731 | $68,648 |
High School Graduate | $33,576 | $36,989 | $29,725 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $21,753 | $24,108 | $19,894 |
Overall | $46,506 | $51,574 | $41,997 |
Some College | $39,538 | $45,232 | $35,552 |
$46,506
Average Earnings
$51,574
Average Male
$41,997
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
82.63% of Albany residents speak only English, while 17.37% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 5.74% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Black | 25,772 | 7,855 | 30.48% |
White | 45,328 | 7,022 | 15.49% |
Hispanic | 8,455 | 2,719 | 32.16% |
Multiple | 6,936 | 2,351 | 33.9% |
Asian | 6,625 | 2,010 | 30.34% |
Other | 2,970 | 1,024 | 34.48% |
Native | 145 | 48 | 33.1% |
23.34%
Overall Poverty Rate
24.01%
Male Poverty Rate
22.7%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Albany is Other, with 34.48% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Albany is White, with 15.49% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 3.45%. Among those working part-time, it was 30.94%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 39.88%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 44.24% |
High School | 28.28% |
Some College | 16.5% |
Bachelors or Greater | 7.87% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Female Unemployed | 42.95% |
Male Unemployed | 36.07% |
Female Employed | 13.43% |
Male Employed | 10.26% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $78,841 | $101,845 |
Households | $54,736 | $76,486 |
Married Families | $116,852 | $136,911 |
Non Families | $41,897 | $55,476 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
27.0%
Overall Marriage Rate
28.6%
Male Marriage Rate
25.5%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 55-64, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
3,124
Number of Veterans
2,907
Male Veterans
217
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 1,067 |
First Gulf War | 506 |
Second Gulf War | 451 |
Korea | 177 |
World War II | 55 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
65 to 74 | 882 |
75+ | 815 |
35 to 54 | 623 |
55 to 64 | 606 |
18 to 34 | 198 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 2,030 | 4.14% |
Black | 835 | 3.84% |
2+ Races | 181 | 3.45% |
Hispanic | 146 | 1.89% |
Other Race | 55 | 2.07% |
Asian | 23 | 0.4% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
11.99%
Veteran Poverty Rate
27.18%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
64%
Labor Force Participation
58.8%
Employment Rate
8%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
67.09%
Born in Albany
85.23%
Native Born
14.77%
Foreign Born
7.01%
Non Citizen
7.75%
Naturalized
85.23% of Albany residents were born in the United States, with 67.09% having been born in New York. 7.01% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 106,320 | 849 | 0.8% |
2028 | 105,471 | 849 | 0.81% |
2027 | 104,622 | 848 | 0.82% |
2026 | 103,774 | 849 | 0.82% |
2025 | 102,925 | 849 | 0.83% |
2024 | 102,076 | 848 | 0.84% |
2023 | 101,228 | 344 | 0.34% |
2022 | 100,884 | 174 | 0.17% |
2021 | 100,710 | 2,028 | 2.06% |
2020 | 98,682 | 2,649 | 2.76% |
2019 | 96,033 | -989 | -1.02% |
2018 | 97,022 | -753 | -0.77% |
2017 | 97,775 | -210 | -0.21% |
2016 | 97,985 | -254 | -0.26% |
2015 | 98,239 | -153 | -0.16% |
2014 | 98,392 | -113 | -0.11% |
2013 | 98,505 | 86 | 0.09% |
2012 | 98,419 | 459 | 0.47% |
2011 | 97,960 | 214 | 0.22% |
2010 | 97,746 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 95,658 | -5,424 | -5.37% |
1990 | 101,082 | -645 | -0.63% |
1980 | 101,727 | -14,054 | -12.14% |
1970 | 115,781 | -13,945 | -10.75% |
1960 | 129,726 | -5,269 | -3.9% |
1950 | 134,995 | 4,418 | 3.38% |
1940 | 130,577 | 3,165 | 2.48% |
1930 | 127,412 | 14,068 | 12.41% |
1920 | 113,344 | 13,091 | 13.06% |
1910 | 100,253 | 6,102 | 6.48% |
1900 | 94,151 | -772 | -0.81% |
1890 | 94,923 | 4,165 | 4.59% |
1880 | 90,758 | 21,336 | 30.73% |
1870 | 69,422 | 7,055 | 11.31% |
1860 | 62,367 | 11,604 | 22.86% |
1850 | 50,763 | 17,042 | 50.54% |
1840 | 33,721 | 9,512 | 39.29% |
1830 | 24,209 | 11,579 | 91.68% |
1820 | 12,630 | 1,868 | 17.36% |
1810 | 10,762 | 5,473 | 103.48% |
1800 | 5,289 | 1,791 | 51.2% |
1790 | 3,498 | -102,822 | -96.71% |