Rensselaer ZIP Codes — Rensselaer County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Rensselaer, New York and it is 12144. Area code: 518.

ZIP codes

18.32

sq mi land

0.58

sq mi water

518

area code

Rensselaer, NY ZIP code map

About Rensselaer, NY

Rensselaer, NY is a charming city located in the heart of Rensselaer County. Known for its convenient access to the Hudson River and a rich blend of history and modernity, it forms part of the Albany metropolitan area. Despite its smaller size, the city boasts unique local attractions and a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Location & geography

Rensselaer is situated directly across the Hudson River from Albany, the capital of New York State, and is approximately 2 miles away from downtown Albany. The city covers a land area of 18.32 square miles and is complemented by a water area of 0.58 square miles, providing a mix of land and waterfront views. The terrain is generally flat, making it an accessible urban environment, with nearby neighbors like East Greenbush, Troy, and Schodack.

Community & economy

The character of Rensselaer is one of a small city with a strong sense of community among its residents. The local economy has historically been driven by manufacturing, but more recently, there has been growth in services and hospitality industries that cater to both residents and visitors. Daily life in Rensselaer reflects a blend of suburban and urban lifestyles, with residents enjoying local parks, community events, and access to nearby metropolitan amenities.

Transportation

Rensselaer is conveniently located near several major highways, including Interstate 787, which connects to Interstate 90, facilitating easy travel to surrounding regions. The nearest airport is Albany International Airport, approximately 10 miles away, offering domestic and limited international flights. Local public transportation options provide residents with access to Albany and other nearby areas.

History

Rensselaer was originally settled in the late 17th century and has roots in the area's rich Dutch heritage, becoming an essential part of Rensselaer County when it was officially incorporated. The city has been a hub for various industries over the years, including shipping and manufacturing, taking advantage of its strategic riverside location. Notable events in its history include the development of key transportation links that allowed for economic growth during the 19th century.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rensselaer is that it is home to the Rensselaer Train Station, which serves Amtrak routes offering convenient access to major East Coast cities. Additionally, the city has a variety of parks that provide recreational opportunities amidst its urban environment.

ZIP codes for Rensselaer, NY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
12144	Rensselaer	Rensselaer	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,808

Population

40.6

Median age

$92,875

Median household income

$43,706

Per capita income

$228,200

Median home value

$1,304

Median monthly rent

57.5%

Home ownership

10.6%

Poverty rate

3.3%

Unemployment

6,426

Housing units

36.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

603

Under 5

620

566

5–9

582

479

10–14

493

444

15–19

457

573

20–24

588

1,764

25–34

1,812

1,605

35–44

1,650

1,215

45–54

1,249

592

55–59

608

1,013

60–64

1,041

1,100

65–74

1,130

573

75–84

589

228

85+

234

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,938	18.1%
18 and over	17,870	81.9%
65 and over	3,854	17.7%
Median age	40.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.4%

Two or more races 6.8%

Black or African American 5.6%

Asian 5%

Hispanic or Latino 2.4%

Other race 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	17,735	79.4%
Two or more races	1,523	6.8%
Black or African American	1,258	5.6%
Asian	1,114	5%
Hispanic or Latino	540	2.4%
Other race	161	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	17	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.0%

$10k–$15k 3.0%

$15k–$25k 4.9%

$25k–$35k 3.9%

$35k–$50k 8.3%

$50k–$75k 14.7%

$75k–$100k 13.9%

$100k–$150k 27.0%

$150k–$200k 13.1%

$200k+ 6.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.0%
$10k–$15k	3.0%
$15k–$25k	4.9%
$25k–$35k	3.9%
$35k–$50k	8.3%
$50k–$75k	14.7%
$75k–$100k	13.9%
$100k–$150k	27.0%
$150k–$200k	13.1%
$200k+	6.1%
Median income	$92,875

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.8%

$50k–$100k 4.3%

$100k–$150k 8.4%

$150k–$200k 22.8%

$200k–$300k 35.8%

$300k–$500k 22.4%

$500k–$1M 3.2%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$228,200
Median rent / month	$1,304
Owner occupied	57.5%
Renter occupied	42.5%
Vacant	9.7%
Single-family detached	48.1%
Large apartment buildings	8.4%
Mobile homes	0.5%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	8.1%
2000–2009	9.6%
1990–1999	12.9%
1980–1989	11.9%
1970–1979	9.3%
1960–1969	9.8%
1950–1959	10.1%
1940–1949	5.5%
1939 or earlier	22.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.9%
1 bedroom	14.5%
2 bedrooms	34.3%
3 bedrooms	34.6%
4 bedrooms	10.7%
5+ bedrooms	5.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.4%
1 vehicle	37.8%
2 vehicles	35.3%
3 or more	16.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	71.7%
Electricity	18.8%
Propane / LP gas	1.7%
Fuel oil	6.1%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	1.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,651	38.8%
Cohabiting couple	1,123	11.9%
Male householder, no spouse	1,859	19.7%
Female householder, no spouse	2,780	29.5%
Households with children under 18	2,266	24.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,705	28.7%
Average household size	2.30

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	43.5%	33.8%
Married	44.0%	41.2%
Separated	1.8%	2.1%
Widowed	3.0%	8.6%
Divorced	7.7%	14.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.0%

HS graduate 26.3%

Some college, no degree 16.4%

Associate's degree 14.4%

Bachelor's degree 22.3%

Graduate / professional 14.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.6%
Bachelor's or higher	36.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	287	6.9%
Kindergarten	307	7.4%
Elementary school	1,588	38.3%
High school	832	20.1%
College / grad school	1,133	27.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.2%

Retail trade 11.8%

Public administration 11.4%

Professional & management 11.2%

Manufacturing 10.1%

Construction 7.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.8%

Finance & real estate 6.6%

Transportation & utilities 5.7%

Other services 2.3%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Information 0.9%

Agriculture & mining 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	42.8%
Service	15.1%
Sales & office	21.9%
Natural resources & construction	7.8%
Production & transportation	12.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.3%
Government	23.0%
Self-employed	4.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.9%
Carpool	10.0%
Public transit	3.5%
Walk	1.4%
Other means	1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.6

Poverty

All people 10.6%

Under 18 years 20.4%

18 and over 8.5%

Married-couple families 3.5%

Female-led households 9.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.0%
Retirement income	29.2%
Supplemental Security	4.6%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	27.8%
High cholesterol	30.3%
Heart disease	5.4%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	21.6%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	5.7%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.1%
No physical activity	20.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.1%
Fair or poor health	10.2%
Poor mental health	13.7%
Poor physical health	8.3%
No health insurance	9.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.9%
Visited dentist	68.2%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	11.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,220	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.5%
Under 18	6.6%
18–64 years	13.1%
65 and over	33.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	76.1%
Public insurance	36.1%
Uninsured under 19	5.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,585	94.4%
Spanish	594	2.9%
Other Indo-European	102	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	62	0.3%
Other languages	390	1.9%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,401	93.5%
Born in same state	20,143	92.4%
Born in different state	17,905	82.1%
Foreign born	258	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	1,407	6.5%
Not a US citizen	819	58.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	5,111	23.4%
French	1,668	7.6%
English	840	3.9%
Arab	562	2.6%
German	420	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	255	1.2%
Irish	139	0.6%
Norwegian	130	0.6%
Dutch	48	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.2%
Internet access	94.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rensselaer, NY have?

Rensselaer, NY has one ZIP code: 12144. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.