Schenectady Has NY’s 5th Largest City Population Gain in 2024

In 2024, Schenectady had the fifth largest net gain of new residents among cities statewide and Troy had the ninth, according to a Center for Economic Growth (CEG) analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Downtown Schenectady has many growing tech firms, such as the Jahnel Group.

In a year when the eight-county Capital Region emerged as the state’s third fastest-growing region,  seven of its 10 cities saw annual increases in population. Sixty-six towns and 23 villages also saw year-over year population increases. Across the state, New York had the largest year-over-year increase for a city (+ 87,184), Hempstead had the largest gain for a town (+4,218), and Kiryas Joel had the largest increase for a village (+1,922).

Schenectady led Capital Region cities with a 713 annual increase (1.0 percent) in residents to 69,495. It was followed by Troy (+265), Cohoes (+232), and Saratoga Springs (+168). 

Among the region’s 108 towns, Guilderland had the largest year-over-year increase in residents (+726). It was followed by Ballston (+425), Colonie (+408), and Rotterdam (+378). 

Scotia had the largest year-over-year population increase among the region’s 41 villages (+80), followed by Colonie (+30), Hoosick Falls (+29), and Voorheesville (+26). 

CEG Initiatives

To help the Capital Region retain students who attend any of its 22 colleges and universities as well as others who participate in internships at local businesses, CEG hosts the CEG Summer Internship Engagement Program. The program is a dynamic series of free events and networking opportunities designed to help interns grow professionally and personally during their summer in NY’s Capital Region. The purpose is to help the interns learn about living and working in the region; to supplement the work they’re doing for their internship and enhance their overall internship experience. The 2024 CEG Summer Internship Engagement Program featured five events throughout the Capital Region’s core counties, with more than 120 unique registrants from several local companies.

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