Albany, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Albany, New York had a total population of 100,492, the 6th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $61,986, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Albany Quick Facts
How Albany Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 100,492 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $59,485 | $61,986 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $223,000 | $234,700 | +5.2% |
How Albany Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Albany Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Albany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohoes | 18,159 | $61,145 | 25.9% | $223,400 |
| Latham | 13,802 | $104,899 | 9.0% | $326,900 |
| Roessleville | 10,968 | $96,058 | 6.7% | $264,500 |
| Loudonville | 10,527 | $142,829 | 3.3% | $391,200 |
| Watervliet | 10,287 | $57,919 | 18.4% | $179,700 |
| Westmere | 8,334 | $88,378 | 7.2% | $313,400 |
| Colonie | 7,702 | $103,983 | 7.4% | $285,400 |
| Menands | 4,505 | $80,583 | 5.4% | $271,300 |
| Ravena | 3,243 | $77,217 | 5.8% | $209,100 |
| Green Island | 2,970 | $59,406 | 20.6% | $138,300 |
Cities Similar to Albany
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheektowaga | 76,056 | $68,613 | $185,500 | 29.6% | 10.7% |
| Schenectady | 68,847 | $58,399 | $168,800 | 25.4% | 23.8% |
| Mount Vernon | 72,427 | $78,779 | $484,000 | 35.9% | 14.8% |
| New Rochelle | 82,769 | $109,167 | $702,500 | 51.6% | 10.1% |
| Syracuse | 146,384 | $47,819 | $138,400 | 31.3% | 28.8% |
Population Overview
Albany is a major urban center located in New York, within Albany County. The total population is 100,492. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Albany is 32.0 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 13.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Albany is $61,986. This is 28% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $234,700. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 38.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Albany is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.6% vs 13.4%).
Education
45.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.3%. Notably, 21.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Albany, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Albany, New York?
Albany, New York has a population of 100,492 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Albany, NY?
The median household income in Albany is $61,986, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Albany, NY?
The poverty rate in Albany is 22.9%. This means approximately 20,772 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Albany, New York?
Albany's population is 50.1% White, 24.6% Black, 11.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Albany, NY?
The median home value in Albany is $234,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Albany, New York?
45.3% of adults (25+) in Albany hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.