Albany County Demographics

A map of Albany County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	215,598	210,895	68.0%	67.0%
Black	36,525	40,667	11.5%	12.9%
Asian	23,890	24,363	7.5%	7.7%
Hispanic	22,986	21,595	7.3%	6.9%
Multiracial	15,704	14,847	5.0%	4.7%
Native American/Other	2,315	2,481	0.7%	0.8%

Albany County, New York has an estimated population of 317,018, a less than 1% change from the 314,848 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.0% White, 11.5% Black, 7.5% Asian, 7.3% Hispanic, 5.0% Multiracial, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Albany County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Albany has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Albany County, that probability was 52.2% in 2020 and 51.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Albany County is ranked the 14th most populous county in New York, out of 62 counties. Albany County was ranked the 14th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Albany County's White Population

215,598 residents of Albany County, or 68.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Albany County is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Albany County ranks 50th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Albany County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.2%. White residents' share of Albany County's population has increased from 67.0% to 68.0%.

Albany County is more White than neighboring Schenectady County (67.7% White). Albany County is less White than neighboring Greene County (82.8% White), Schoharie County (88.7% White), Rensselaer County (78.7% White), and Columbia County (82.4% White).

Albany County's Black Population

36,525 residents of Albany County, or 11.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Albany County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Albany County ranks 7th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Albany County's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.2%. Black residents' share of Albany County's population has decreased from 12.9% to 11.5%.

Albany County is more Black than neighboring Schenectady County (9.6% Black), Greene County (4.5% Black), Schoharie County (1.3% Black), Rensselaer County (6.5% Black), and Columbia County (3.5% Black).

Albany County's Asian Population

23,890 residents of Albany County, or 7.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Albany County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Albany County ranks 7th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Albany County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. Asian residents' share of Albany County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.5%.

Albany County is more Asian than neighboring Schenectady County (4.9% Asian), Greene County (1.2% Asian), Schoharie County (0.9% Asian), Rensselaer County (3.2% Asian), and Columbia County (2.1% Asian).

Albany County's Hispanic Population

22,986 residents of Albany County, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Albany County is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Albany County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Albany County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Albany County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.3%.

Albany County is more Hispanic than neighboring Greene County (6.8% Hispanic), Schoharie County (4% Hispanic), Rensselaer County (6.2% Hispanic), and Columbia County (6.3% Hispanic). Albany County is less Hispanic than neighboring Schenectady County (8.3% Hispanic).

Albany County's Native American/Other Population

2,315 residents of Albany County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Albany County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Albany County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Albany County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 6.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Albany County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Albany County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Greene County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Rensselaer County (0.6% Native American/Other). Albany County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Schenectady County (1.9% Native American/Other), Schoharie County (1.4% Native American/Other), and Columbia County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Albany County's Multiracial Population

15,704 residents of Albany County, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Albany County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Albany County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Albany County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Albany County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.0%.

Albany County is more Multiracial than neighboring Greene County (4.2% Multiracial), Schoharie County (3.7% Multiracial), Rensselaer County (4.8% Multiracial), and Columbia County (4.8% Multiracial). Albany County is less Multiracial than neighboring Schenectady County (7.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.