Rensselaer, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rensselaer, New York had a total population of 9,287, the 215th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $70,080, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rensselaer Quick Facts
How Rensselaer 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 | 9,247 | 9,287 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $66,046 | $70,080 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $202,600 | $208,900 | +3.1% |
How Rensselaer 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rensselaer Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Rensselaer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 51,033 | $58,477 | 23.4% | $206,500 |
| East Greenbush | 6,581 | $118,393 | 4.2% | $303,400 |
| Hampton Manor | 5,334 | $98,364 | 6.7% | $239,400 |
| Wynantskill | 3,487 | $108,558 | 6.5% | $293,400 |
| West Sand Lake | 3,479 | $121,250 | 4.0% | $315,800 |
| Hoosick Falls | 3,177 | $48,214 | 16.1% | $154,600 |
| Averill Park | 1,615 | $117,946 | 0.0% | $273,300 |
| Castleton-on-Hudson | 1,591 | $52,056 | 14.1% | $222,600 |
| Nassau | 1,058 | $84,781 | 4.6% | $239,200 |
| Nassau Lake | 830 | N/A | 16.9% | $282,800 |
Cities Similar to Rensselaer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University | 9,530 | N/A | N/A | 57.7% | N/A |
| Glens Falls North | 9,154 | $77,881 | $308,100 | 46.5% | 12.8% |
| Ogdensburg | 9,455 | $61,824 | $85,400 | 17.5% | 16.1% |
| North Gates | 9,904 | $76,277 | $163,400 | 26.3% | 9.3% |
| Newark | 8,991 | $60,006 | $132,600 | 19.6% | 22.2% |
Population Overview
Rensselaer is a small city located in New York, within Rensselaer County. The total population is 9,287. It ranks as the 215th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rensselaer is 36.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rensselaer is $70,080. This is 18% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $208,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 43.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rensselaer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rensselaer, 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.
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, New York?
Rensselaer, New York has a population of 9,287 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rensselaer, NY?
The median household income in Rensselaer is $70,080, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rensselaer, NY?
The poverty rate in Rensselaer is 17.9%. This means approximately 1,647 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rensselaer, New York?
Rensselaer's population is 66.6% White, 8.0% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rensselaer, NY?
The median home value in Rensselaer is $208,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Rensselaer, New York?
26.2% of adults (25+) in Rensselaer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.