Rensselaer
New York

What stands out

What stands out about Rensselaer County: the uninsured rate is among the lowest in America (4.4%), the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.27%), and the median household income is in the top 9% of American counties ($83,734). Within New York it ranks 10th of 62 counties for the uninsured rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Rensselaer County, New York. 160,943 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -267).

New York's top income-tax rate is 10.9%, and New York City residents add a city income tax of up to 3.876% on top. The state estate tax has a cliff: estates just over the exemption can owe tax on the whole amount. Social Security is not taxed and up to $20,000 of pension income is excluded. Upstate home prices and taxes look nothing like the downstate market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $83,734 a year, higher than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $78,789. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 64% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,372 a year.

Home

The median home costs $324K, pricier than 75% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,174 a month. Property tax is 2.27% of home value, roughly $5,235 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 27 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.3 years, longer than 78% of American counties. There are 247 active physicians in the county, about 15.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 4.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 9 points. 64% of eligible voters turned out. Under New York law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 58 and lows near 38, colder than 82% of American counties. About 41 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 68 out of 100, riskier than 69% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 258 Mbps down, faster than 78% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 3 museums.