Schenectady County Demographics

A map of Schenectady County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	108,587	104,878	67.7%	66.4%
Black	15,384	15,943	9.6%	10.1%
Hispanic	13,270	12,505	8.3%	7.9%
Multiracial	12,231	10,925	7.6%	6.9%
Asian	7,840	8,281	4.9%	5.2%
Native American/Other	3,057	5,529	1.9%	3.5%

Schenectady County, New York has an estimated population of 160,369, a slight increase from the 158,061 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 67.7% White, 9.6% Black, 8.3% Hispanic, 7.6% Multiracial, 4.9% Asian, and 1.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Schenectady County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Schenectady 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 Schenectady County, that probability was 53.5% in 2020 and 51.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Schenectady County is ranked the 21st most populous county in New York, out of 62 counties. Schenectady County was ranked the 22nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Schenectady County's White Population

108,587 residents of Schenectady County, or 67.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Schenectady County is considerably higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Schenectady County ranks 52nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady County's White population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. White residents' share of Schenectady County's population has increased from 66.4% to 67.7%.

Schenectady County is less White than neighboring Albany County (68% White), Saratoga County (86.8% White), Montgomery County (77% White), Schoharie County (88.7% White), and Fulton County (87.9% White).

Schenectady County's Black Population

15,384 residents of Schenectady County, or 9.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Schenectady County is slightly lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Schenectady County ranks 13th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady County's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.5%. Black residents' share of Schenectady County's population has decreased from 10.1% to 9.6%.

Schenectady County is more Black than neighboring Saratoga County (1.6% Black), Montgomery County (2.5% Black), Schoharie County (1.3% Black), and Fulton County (1.4% Black). Schenectady County is less Black than neighboring Albany County (11.5% Black).

Schenectady County's Asian Population

7,840 residents of Schenectady County, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Schenectady County is slightly lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Schenectady County ranks 10th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.3%. Asian residents' share of Schenectady County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Schenectady County is more Asian than neighboring Saratoga County (3% Asian), Montgomery County (0.8% Asian), Schoharie County (0.9% Asian), and Fulton County (0.9% Asian). Schenectady County is less Asian than neighboring Albany County (7.5% Asian).

Schenectady County's Hispanic Population

13,270 residents of Schenectady County, or 8.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Schenectady County is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Schenectady County ranks 18th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Schenectady County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.3%.

Schenectady County is more Hispanic than neighboring Albany County (7.3% Hispanic), Saratoga County (3.9% Hispanic), Schoharie County (4% Hispanic), and Fulton County (4.4% Hispanic). Schenectady County is less Hispanic than neighboring Montgomery County (15.4% Hispanic).

Schenectady County's Native American/Other Population

3,057 residents of Schenectady County, or 1.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Schenectady County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Schenectady County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 44.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Schenectady County's population has decreased from 3.5% to 1.9%.

Schenectady County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Albany County (0.7% Native American/Other), Saratoga County (0.6% Native American/Other), Montgomery County (0.7% Native American/Other), Schoharie County (1.4% Native American/Other), and Fulton County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Schenectady County's Multiracial Population

12,231 residents of Schenectady County, or 7.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Schenectady County is slightly higher than in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Schenectady County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 12.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Schenectady County's population has increased from 6.9% to 7.6%.

Schenectady County is more Multiracial than neighboring Albany County (5% Multiracial), Saratoga County (4% Multiracial), Montgomery County (3.5% Multiracial), Schoharie County (3.7% Multiracial), and Fulton County (4.9% 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.