Who Lives in Albany County?

Quick Facts taken from the U.S. Census Bureau:

The total population estimate for 2008 is around 298,130 people
33.3% of Albany’s population has a Bachelor’s degree or higher
57.7% of residents own a home
The median household income for 2008 is around $59,245
12.3% of residents live below poverty level

Albany County is made up of three major cities, 10 major towns, and six villages and each are diverse in their own demographics.

THREE CITIES
1. Albany
2. Cohoes
3. Watervliet

TEN MAJOR TOWNS
1. Colonie
2. Bethlehem
3. Guilderland
4. New Scotland
5. Coeymans
6. Green Island
7. Knox
8. Berne
9. Westerlo
10. Rensselaerville

SIX VILLAGES
1. Colonie
2. Menands
3. Green Island
4. Ravena
5. Altamont
6. Voorheesville

As you may already imagine,the majority of Albany County’s population is composed of twenty-something singles, but check out this graph for something a bit more interesting:

: Albany County Age Distribution Chart (Numbers taken from www.zillow.com)

The graph above makes it clear that Albany County is home to a high percentage of young adults. The interesting trend in graph is the spike in 70 years and older adults that call Albany home. The graph shows a gradual climb in age up to 20 years, and then a gradual drop off until the 70 years and older mark.

A Prizm Segmentation System found on the site www.claritas.com identified five key segments that fit the majority of Albany County residents. Each town, village, and city within Albany County differs slightly in segmentation from the others.

Boomtown Singles
- Single, and working-class
- Lower-middle class, middle age, no kids
- Enjoy thriving singles scene
- Live active lifestyles amid sprawling apartment complexes, bars, convenience stores, and Laundromats.

City Startups
- Low income, younger, no kids
- Usually young, multi-ethnic singles
- Live in neighborhoods filled with cheap apartments and a commercial base of cafés, bars, Laundromats, and clubs that cater to twenty-something’s.
- One of the youngest segments in America, usually a college student

Family Thrifts
- Lower-middle class
- Younger with kids
- Young, ethnically diverse parents who have lots of children and work entry-level, service jobs.

Old Glories
- Mature adults, mostly without kids
- Downscale suburban retirees
- Often living on fixed incomes
- Tend to lead home-centered lifestyles