Schenectady, NY Demographics

A map of Schenectady's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	32,679	29,147	47.5%	43.5%
Black	12,865	13,541	18.7%	20.2%
Hispanic	8,743	8,758	12.7%	13.1%
Multiracial	8,017	6,352	11.6%	9.5%
Asian	4,071	4,352	5.9%	6.5%
Native American/Other	2,472	4,897	3.6%	7.3%

Schenectady, New York has an estimated population of 68,847, a slight increase from the 67,047 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 47.5% White, 18.7% Black, 12.7% Hispanic, 11.6% Multiracial, 5.9% Asian, and 3.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Schenectady, 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 more 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, that probability was 73.5% in 2020 and 70.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Schenectady is ranked the 10th 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). Schenectady was ranked the 10th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Schenectady's White Population

32,679 residents of Schenectady, or 47.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Schenectady is lower than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Schenectady ranks 1223rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady's White population has grown by an estimated 12.1%. White residents' share of Schenectady's population has increased from 43.5% to 47.5%.

Schenectady is less White than neighboring Rotterdam (81.4% White), Scotia (88.5% White), Niskayuna (73.2% White), East Glenville (91.1% White), and Colonie (80.4% White).

Schenectady's Black Population

12,865 residents of Schenectady, or 18.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Schenectady is higher than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Schenectady ranks 41st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. Black residents' share of Schenectady's population has decreased from 20.2% to 18.7%.

Schenectady is more Black than neighboring Rotterdam (3.7% Black), Scotia (0.7% Black), Niskayuna (4% Black), East Glenville (1.8% Black), and Colonie (4.4% Black).

Schenectady's Asian Population

4,071 residents of Schenectady, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Schenectady is slightly lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Schenectady ranks 183rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady's Asian population has declined by an estimated 6.5%. Asian residents' share of Schenectady's population has decreased from 6.5% to 5.9%.

Schenectady is more Asian than neighboring Rotterdam (2.8% Asian), Scotia (0.7% Asian), East Glenville (1% Asian), and Colonie (4.6% Asian). Schenectady is less Asian than neighboring Niskayuna (11% Asian).

Schenectady's Hispanic Population

8,743 residents of Schenectady, or 12.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Schenectady is lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Schenectady ranks 268th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Schenectady's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.7%.

Schenectady is more Hispanic than neighboring Rotterdam (6.3% Hispanic), Scotia (3.8% Hispanic), Niskayuna (5.8% Hispanic), East Glenville (2.8% Hispanic), and Colonie (3.5% Hispanic).

Schenectady's Native American/Other Population

2,472 residents of Schenectady, or 3.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Schenectady is slightly higher than in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Schenectady ranks 6th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 49.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Schenectady's population has decreased from 7.3% to 3.6%.

Schenectady is more Native American/Other than neighboring Rotterdam (0.2% Native American/Other), Scotia (0.5% Native American/Other), Niskayuna (0.7% Native American/Other), East Glenville (0.6% Native American/Other), and Colonie (0.6% Native American/Other).

Schenectady's Multiracial Population

8,017 residents of Schenectady, or 11.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Schenectady is higher than in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Schenectady ranks 8th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,291 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Schenectady's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 26.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Schenectady's population has increased from 9.5% to 11.6%.

Schenectady is more Multiracial than neighboring Rotterdam (5.5% Multiracial), Scotia (5.8% Multiracial), Niskayuna (5.2% Multiracial), East Glenville (2.7% Multiracial), and Colonie (6.5% 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.