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Population Review

Albany County, New York Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 14th-largest in New York

The population of Albany County, New York is 315,374 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 14th-largest county in New York. The median household income is $83,149, the median home value is $277,400, and the median age is 38.3.

The population of Albany County has grown 5.2% since 2010 (304,085 → 319,964), a +0.36% annualized rate.

Albany County within New York · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

315,374

Population

+0.36%

Annual growth

603

People / sq mi

$83,149

Median Income

$277,400

Median Home Value

Albany County covers 523 sq mi of land at 603.1 people per square mile.

About Albany County, NY

Albany County is a county in New York with a population of 315,374. It ranks #14 among counties in New York by population. The median age is 38.3, in line with the national median. The population is 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

The median household income in Albany County is $83,149, above the US median of $74,580. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $277,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,252. The homeownership rate of 56.7% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Albany County reflects 45.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 13.6% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.3 minutes each way.

Albany County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Albany County had a population of 304,085 in 2010 and 319,964 in 2024, a 5.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 319,964 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.37%.

2024 · 320K20102024

319,964

Population (2024)

304,085

Population (2010)

319,964

Peak (2024)

0.37%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
2010304,085
2011304,627
2012305,776
2013306,661
2014307,246
2015307,521
2016307,810
2017307,919
2018306,691
2019304,752
2020314,024
2021316,817
2022316,287
2023318,000
2024319,964

Race & Ethnicity

White70.8%
Black or African American12.3%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.9%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

38.3

Median Age

51.4%

Female

48.6%

Male

17.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
4.7%
5–9
5.0%
10–14
5.3%
15–19
7.3%
20–24
10.2%
25–34
13.3%
35–44
12.1%
45–54
11.3%
55–59
6.6%
60–64
6.3%
65–74
10.4%
75–84
5.0%
85+
2.4%

Children (under 15): 15.0% · Seniors (65+): 17.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$83,149$-1,429 vs state
Mean household income$107,762
Per-capita income$46,231
Poverty rate7.2%-2.6% vs state
Unemployment rate3.3%
Employment-to-population60.7%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
27.5%
Finance & real estate
12.5%
Public administration
12.3%
Education & health care
7.8%
Information
6.9%
Manufacturing
6.1%
Retail trade
4.4%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.3%

The largest employment sector in Albany County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.5% of workers.

How residents commute

4.3%

Drive alone

4.2%

Carpool

67.6%

Public transit

13.6%

Work from home

21.3 min

Avg commute

Housing

$277,400$-125,600 vs state

Median home value

$1,252

Median rent

56.7%

Homeownership rate

146,959

Total housing units

90.3%

Occupied

9.7%

Vacant

43.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

97.0%

With health insurance

94.5%

With broadband internet

14.6%

Foreign-born

5.0%

Veterans (18+)

12.5%

With a disability

85.8%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

93.2%

High School+

45.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in New York

Other counties in New York

Part of New York

Metro areas in New York

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Albany County, New York has a population of 315,374 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 14th-largest county in New York. Population density is 603 people per square mile.

The population of Albany County has grown 5.2% since 2010 (304,085 → 319,964), a +0.36% annualized rate.

The median household income in Albany County, New York is $83,149, with mean (average) household income of $107,762 and per-capita income of $46,231. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Albany County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (70.8%), Black or African American (12.3%), Hispanic or Latino (0.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Albany County, New York is 38.3 years. Residents are 51.4% female and 48.6% male.

The median home value in Albany County is $277,400 and median monthly rent is $1,252. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 146,959 total housing units, 9.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Albany County, New York is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.3%.

New York is among the largest cities associated with Albany County, New York, with a population of 8,516,202.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.