Exploring Changing Demographics: A Look at the 2010 vs. 2020 Census

People

The recently released Demographic and Housing File for 2020 reveals intriguing trends and changes in the demographics of New York State and the Capital Region, when compared to the 2010 Census. In New York State there has been a 8.2% decline in the population under 5 years old, indicating potential shifts in birth rates and migration patterns. Additionally, the 2020 Census highlights a significant growth of 30.2% in the population over 65 years old in New York State, reflecting the aging baby boomer generation and the need for enhanced support systems catering to older residents. In terms of population growth in the Capital Region, Saratoga County stands out with a remarkable increase of 15,902 individuals, followed closely by Albany County with an increase of 10,644 individuals.

Housing

n New York State, there was an increase in owner-occupied housing units, with approximately 4.0 million units recorded in 2020 compared to 3.9 million in 2010. This indicates a rise in homeownership in the state over the past decade. Regarding vacant housing units, New York State had approximately 773,000 units in 2020, slightly lower than the 790,000 recorded in 2010. This suggests a relatively stable vacancy rate in the state during this period. In Albany County, there was a significant increase in renter-occupied houses, with 53,088 more units occupied by renters in 2020, compared to 2010. This could be indicative of changing housing preferences or an increase in rental demand within the county. Similarly, Rensselaer County also experienced growth in renter-occupied houses, with an increase of 26,000 units compared to the previous census. In terms of vacant units, Albany County saw an increase of 1,831 units compared to 2010. This may indicate changes in housing stock, shifts in property ownership, or other factors influencing the availability of housing in the county.