Rensselaer, NY Demographics

A map of Rensselaer's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,184	6,217	66.6%	67.5%
Asian	956	866	10.3%	9.4%
Black	747	803	8.0%	8.7%
Hispanic	739	643	8.0%	7.0%
Multiracial	612	599	6.6%	6.5%
Native American/Other	49	82	0.5%	0.9%

Rensselaer, New York has an estimated population of 9,287, a less than 1% change from the 9,210 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.6% White, 10.3% Asian, 8.0% Black, 8.0% Hispanic, 6.6% Multiracial, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rensselaer, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rensselaer has become more 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 Rensselaer, that probability was 51.9% in 2020 and 52.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rensselaer is ranked the 215th most populous place in New York, out of 1,291 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rensselaer was ranked the 222nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rensselaer's White Population

6,184 residents of Rensselaer, or 66.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rensselaer is considerably higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Rensselaer ranks 1060th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rensselaer's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Rensselaer's population has decreased from 67.5% to 66.6%.

Rensselaer is more White than neighboring Menands (59.2% White), and Albany (50.1% White). Rensselaer is less White than neighboring Hampton Manor (86.8% White), East Greenbush (78.6% White), and Loudonville (78.5% White).

Rensselaer's Black Population

747 residents of Rensselaer, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rensselaer is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Rensselaer ranks 145th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rensselaer's Black population has declined by an estimated 7.0%. Black residents' share of Rensselaer's population has decreased from 8.7% to 8.0%.

Rensselaer is more Black than neighboring Hampton Manor (2.5% Black), East Greenbush (5.9% Black), and Loudonville (2.2% Black). Rensselaer is less Black than neighboring Menands (18.7% Black), and Albany (24.6% Black).

Rensselaer's Asian Population

956 residents of Rensselaer, or 10.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rensselaer is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Rensselaer ranks 116th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rensselaer's Asian population has grown by an estimated 10.4%. Asian residents' share of Rensselaer's population has increased from 9.4% to 10.3%.

Rensselaer is more Asian than neighboring Hampton Manor (5.9% Asian), East Greenbush (2.6% Asian), and Albany (7.7% Asian). Rensselaer is less Asian than neighboring Menands (14.7% Asian), and Loudonville (11% Asian).

Rensselaer's Hispanic Population

739 residents of Rensselaer, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rensselaer is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rensselaer ranks 509th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rensselaer's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 14.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Rensselaer's population has increased from 7.0% to 8.0%.

Rensselaer is more Hispanic than neighboring Hampton Manor (1.9% Hispanic), Menands (0.1% Hispanic), and Loudonville (4.1% Hispanic). Rensselaer is less Hispanic than neighboring East Greenbush (10.1% Hispanic), and Albany (11% Hispanic).

Rensselaer's Native American/Other Population

49 residents of Rensselaer, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rensselaer is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Rensselaer ranks 352nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rensselaer's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 40.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rensselaer's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Rensselaer is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hampton Manor (0.3% Native American/Other), and Loudonville (0.3% Native American/Other). Rensselaer is less Native American/Other than neighboring Menands (1.9% Native American/Other), East Greenbush (1% Native American/Other), and Albany (1.2% Native American/Other).

Rensselaer's Multiracial Population

612 residents of Rensselaer, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rensselaer is slightly higher than in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Rensselaer ranks 65th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rensselaer's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Rensselaer's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.6%.

Rensselaer is more Multiracial than neighboring Hampton Manor (2.7% Multiracial), Menands (5.4% Multiracial), East Greenbush (1.7% Multiracial), Albany (5.5% Multiracial), and Loudonville (3.8% 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.