Melrose ZIP Codes — Rensselaer County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Melrose, New York and it is 12121. Area code: 518.
1
ZIP codes
19.29
sq mi land
1.09
sq mi water
518
area code
Melrose, NY ZIP code map

About Melrose, NY

Melrose, New York, is a small yet vibrant community situated in Rensselaer County. Known for its picturesque surroundings, the city offers a glimpse into the charm of upstate New York living. With a ZIP code of 12121, Melrose attracts residents looking for a blend of rural tranquility and easy access to urban amenities.

Location & geography

Melrose is located approximately 12 miles northeast of Albany, the state capital, and 10 miles south of Troy, another notable city in the area. The geography of Melrose encompasses a land area of 19.29 square miles, complemented by a water area of 1.09 square miles. The city features a mix of rolling hills and scenic waterways, contributing to its rural charm.

Community & economy

The community in Melrose is characterized by a close-knit atmosphere where residents often engage with one another through local events and gatherings. The area hosts various small businesses and serves as a commuter town for those working in nearby cities, contributing to its economic stability. Daily life in Melrose offers a quiet pace, with an emphasis on outdoor activities and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds the area.

Transportation

Melrose is accessible via local roadways and is situated near major highways such as Route 7, which connects to the larger transportation network of upstate New York. The nearest major airport is Albany International Airport, located around 12 miles away, making it convenient for both residents and visitors. Public transit options may be limited, promoting a more car-dependent lifestyle in the area.

History

Melrose was founded in the early 19th century and has evolved with the landscape of Rensselaer County over the years. It was primarily supported by agriculture and small-scale industry, contributing to its growth and development as a residential community. Significant events in Melrose's history include various local festivals celebrating its rich heritage and community spirit.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Melrose is that it has only one ZIP code, 12121, which is relatively uncommon for communities of its size. Additionally, despite its small size, Melrose is part of a region known for its rich history in agriculture and industry, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to the American past.

ZIP codes for Melrose, NY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
12121 Melrose Rensselaer View map

Demographics & statistics

2,358
Population
45.9
Median age
$116,250
Median household income
$39,424
Per capita income
$231,400
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
97.3%
Home ownership
1.5%
Poverty rate
3.5%
Unemployment
785
Housing units
18.4%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
62
Under 5
59
49
5–9
48
88
10–14
85
99
15–19
96
76
20–24
73
39
25–34
37
158
35–44
152
183
45–54
176
75
55–59
73
59
60–64
57
158
65–74
152
139
75–84
134
16
85+
15
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1848720.7%
18 and over1,87179.3%
65 and over61426.0%
Median age45.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.9%
Black or African American 1%
Two or more races 0.6%
Hispanic or Latino 0.4%
GroupCount%
White2,31997.9%
Black or African American241%
Two or more races150.6%
Hispanic or Latino100.4%

Household income

$15k–$25k 4.4%
$25k–$35k 5.4%
$35k–$50k 7.1%
$50k–$75k 10.4%
$75k–$100k 9.9%
$100k–$150k 28.0%
$150k–$200k 15.0%
$200k+ 19.8%
Range% of households
$15k–$25k4.4%
$25k–$35k5.4%
$35k–$50k7.1%
$50k–$75k10.4%
$75k–$100k9.9%
$100k–$150k28.0%
$150k–$200k15.0%
$200k+19.8%
Median income$116,250

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.4%
$50k–$100k 1.4%
$100k–$150k 17.5%
$150k–$200k 17.9%
$200k–$300k 22.6%
$300k–$500k 31.8%
$500k–$1M 7.3%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$231,400
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied97.3%
Renter occupied2.7%
Vacant9.6%
Single-family detached79.8%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes9.3%
Median rooms6.2
Avg household size (owned)3.28

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–20091.0%
1990–199920.2%
1980–198912.4%
1970–197923.1%
1960–19695.3%
1950–195917.1%
1940–19491.2%
1939 or earlier19.5%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms21.4%
3 bedrooms51.3%
4 bedrooms19.8%
5+ bedrooms7.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle16.6%
2 vehicles42.0%
3 or more41.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas4.8%
Propane / LP gas10.7%
Fuel oil55.9%
Wood25.0%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family48366.3%
Cohabiting couple8311.4%
Male householder, no spouse12116.6%
Female householder, no spouse415.6%
Households with children under 1823231.9%
Households with seniors (65+)38252.5%
Average household size3.23

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married41.8%14.2%
Married48.8%59.2%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed2.9%18.1%
Divorced6.5%8.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 1.7%
HS graduate 49.1%
Some college, no degree 14.2%
Associate's degree 16.6%
Bachelor's degree 12.4%
Graduate / professional 5.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher98.3%
Bachelor's or higher18.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool142.7%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school27051.4%
High school14427.4%
College / grad school9718.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 27.8%
Education & healthcare 26.3%
Finance & real estate 12.0%
Retail trade 10.0%
Manufacturing 7.0%
Construction 5.5%
Public administration 4.4%
Wholesale trade 2.8%
Transportation & utilities 2.3%
Arts, food & hospitality 1.4%
Other services 0.6%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts28.7%
Service14.6%
Sales & office30.6%
Natural resources & construction18.9%
Production & transportation7.1%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector77.9%
Government19.9%
Self-employed2.2%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone83.3%
Carpool7.5%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)23.7

Poverty

All people 1.5%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 1.9%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security57.7%
Retirement income47.4%
Supplemental Security1.5%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP2.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure30.8%
High cholesterol33.2%
Heart disease6.3%
Stroke2.7%
Asthma10.0%
Arthritis24.5%
Kidney disease2.7%
Pulmonary disease6.7%
Cancer7.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking19.7%
No physical activity22.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep34.6%
Fair or poor health11.0%
Poor mental health13.7%
Poor physical health9.3%
No health insurance9.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)79.7%
Visited dentist68.1%
Cholesterol screening92.3%
Teeth loss12.2%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans29415.7%
Disability%
Any disability11.4%
Under 181.8%
18–64 years6.0%
65 and over29.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance84.4%
Public insurance43.8%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only2,23794.9%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)2,358100.0%
Born in same state2,358100.0%
Born in different state2,13990.7%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian58024.6%
French43118.3%
Arab1616.8%
AncestryCount%
German853.6%
Dutch341.4%
English251.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access30.9%
Internet access94.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Melrose, NY have?
Melrose, NY has one ZIP code: 12121. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete New York ZIP code database? Download all NY ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →