RANK #803 / 996 NAT · #45 / 45 NY · POP 315,041
1YR FORECAST: +1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
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.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.3x — home prices are low 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
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 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Albany County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #803 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.9% and median household income of $78,829 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Albany County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $263,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,196/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Albany County are hiring — job growth of +1.9% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.7% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 5.5% 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.