Rensselaer is a city in Rensselaer County, New York, located on the Hudson River, directly opposite Albany. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,761; in 1920, it was 10,832. The name is from Killiaen Van Rensselaer, the original landowner of the region in New Amsterdam.

The City of Rensselaer is on the west border of the county.

History

The city was set apart from part of the Town of Greenbush in 1897.

Geography

The city lies next to the Hudson River with Albany County, New York and the City of Albany on the opposite shore. The towns of North Greenbush and East Greenbush in the county, border the city.

Rensselaer is located at 42°38'48" North, 73°44'1" West (42.646713, -73.733743).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.6 km² (3.3 mi²). 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 9.61% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 7,761 people, 3,397 households, and 1,946 families residing in the city. The population density is 995.5/km² (2,579.2/mi²). There are 3,713 housing units at an average density of 476.3/km² (1,233.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 89.11% White, 7.06% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. 2.13% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,397 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% are married couples living together, 16.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% are non-families. 36.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $34,730, and the median income for a family is $40,688. Males have a median income of $29,685 versus $26,291 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,674. 12.8% of the population and 9.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.0% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• City of Rensselaer, NY