Rensselaer city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Rensselaer city, New York has a total population of 9,247, the 217th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $66,046, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Rensselaer city Quick Facts
How Rensselaer city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rensselaer city Rankings in New York
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Other Cities in Rensselaer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy city | 51,054 | $57,688 | 23.8% | $192,500 |
Cities Similar to Rensselaer city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University CDP | 9,138 | N/A | N/A | 53.4% | N/A |
| Newark village | 9,040 | $58,096 | $122,600 | 18.2% | 17.1% |
| Ogdensburg city | 9,600 | $59,306 | $82,100 | 16.7% | 19.5% |
| Lancaster village | 10,127 | $63,902 | $186,300 | 25.2% | 5.1% |
| Glens Falls North CDP | 9,148 | $82,835 | $265,100 | 42.4% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Rensselaer city is a small city located in New York, within Rensselaer County. The total population is 9,247. It ranks as the 217th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rensselaer city is 38.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rensselaer city is $66,046. This is 22% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $202,600. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rensselaer city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 19.6%.
Education
26.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower 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 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rensselaer city, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rensselaer city, New York?
Rensselaer city, New York has a population of 9,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rensselaer city, NY?
The median household income in Rensselaer city is $66,046, which is 16% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Rensselaer city, NY?
The poverty rate in Rensselaer city is 19.6%. This means approximately 1,798 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rensselaer city, New York?
Rensselaer city's population is 68.4% White, 7.2% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rensselaer city, NY?
The median home value in Rensselaer city is $202,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Rensselaer city, New York?
26.5% of adults (25+) in Rensselaer city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.