Albany, NY Homes For Sale

Homes for Sale in Albany, NY: What You Need to Know

In its 22-mile span, Albany has 96,853 residents, making it the 6th largest city in New York. The area has a diverse makeup with residents being 54.2% White, 29.8% Black or African American, and 6.9% Asian. The median age in Albany is 31.2, with over 80,000 adults living in the city, with almost 13,000 being seniors. The average family size is 3.14, and the average household size is 2.12, with 31% of residents being married and 41% having families with kids under the age of 18. Overall, 37.2% of people living in Albany own their homes.

A Strong Job Market

Home to several tech startups, the capital city is nicknamed “Tech Valley,” but is also known for having an estimated 300,000 state employees, which is a third of the area’s population. Besides state government, health care is a primary industry, as Empire Blue Cross, MVP Health Care, and Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan are some of the city’s top private employers. Education administration is another vital industry since the SUNY system is based in Albany and oversees 64 different institutions. Overall, Albany’s residents earn a median annual salary of $52,770, which is slightly more than the national average.

Schools in Albany

Some would consider Albany to be a college town with 11 colleges or universities, including the University at Albany-SUNY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Union College, Siena College, and Russel Sage College. 

The area has 46 public elementary, middle, and high schools with nine of their public high schools ranked by the list of U.S. News’s Best High Schools. Albany has 74 private schools as well, including the Emma Willard School, which is highly-ranked and has a 7:1 student-teacher ratio.

Albany’s Shopping Districts

There’s tons of shopping to be done in Albany with several different options. They have two large indoor shopping malls located in the city with Crossgates Mall and Colonie Center. Crossgates has 180 retail shops, as well as restaurants, a spa, and entertainment venues like Dave & Buster’s. Colonie Center has over 100 stores, including a Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, and Whole Foods, for your grocery shopping. In addition to the malls, you can walk along Lark Street, which offers a mix of shops, restaurants, and nightlife or Stuyvesant Plaza, which has both brand-name stores and specialty shops. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Albany is a vibrant and historic region with many municipalities and neighborhoods. The majority of people live outside the city center in what is known as the Capital District. The Capital District is home to residents of four different counties, including Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Albany include:

• Center Square: This trendy and diverse neighborhood attracts many young professionals and often gets compared to Greenwich Village. Several apartments, condos, and loft options are in the area, as well as tons of retail stores, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. 
• Pine Hills: The College of St. Rose is located here, as well as Ridgefield Park, which is within walking distance for residents. Buyers and renters can find just about any home, whether it be a single-family home, multi-family house, duplex, apartment, or condo. They also have a retail district with lots of great theaters, cafes, shops, and restaurants.
• Bishop’s Gate: Also known as Northern Boulevard, the neighborhood has a mix of homes and apartment complexes. In the city, there has been a lot of recent development with new restaurants and condominiums. Outside of the city, you’ll find beautiful mansions, as well as Siena College.