RANK #437 / 1001 NAT · #33 / 45 NY · POP 317,018
1YR FORECAST: +2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Albany County, New York, is perhaps best known as the home of the state capital, Albany, a city that holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously settled city in the nation, chartered in 1686. Located in east-central New York, where the Mohawk River meets the Hudson, the county offers a mix of urban, suburban, and rural environments. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average one-way commute time of under 19 minutes. The region provides extensive outdoor recreation, including the Albany Pine Bush Preserve with nearly 20 miles of trails, and two state parks, John Boyd Thacher State Park and Thompson's Lake State Park, offering hiking, kayaking, and other activities.
Life in Albany County appeals to a range of residents, from young professionals to families, drawn by its educational institutions and diverse job market. The public school districts in Albany County are highly rated. The economy is experiencing growth driven by investments in various sectors. Downtown Albany has seen revitalization with new residential units and expanded entertainment options. Efforts are also underway to redevelop former industrial sites and transform vacant properties into housing and mixed-use districts, aiming to stimulate economic activity and address community needs.
Albany County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.3% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Albany County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Rail Tie Wind Project
Repsol Renewables
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Port of Albany Offshore Wind Tower Manufacturing Site
Marmen (proposed)
|
$357M | Proposed |
|
Downtown Albany Strategy (Transformative Projects Fund)
New York State
|
$120M | Proposed |
|
Downtown Albany Strategy (Housing Investment Fund)
New York State
|
$40M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Albany County scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#437). Median household income is $85,333 and job growth is running at +1.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Albany County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $294,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,313/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Albany County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +1.0%). Home values shifted +4.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.48% of Albany County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.