Albany County, New York Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Albany County is located in New York with a total population of 315,374. It is the 14th most populous county out of 62 in New York. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Albany County is 38.3 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Albany County is $83,149. This is 2% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 6% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $277,400. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 54.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Albany County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 19.6%.

Education

45.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Albany County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.2%. Notably, 21.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.