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Rensselaer, NY

Frequently asked questions

Rensselaer, NY

Rensselaer is a city in Rensselaer County, New York, United States, and is located on the east side of the Hudson River, opposite Albany and on the western border of Rensselaer County. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 9,210.

The area now known as the City of Rensselaer was settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, who called it t'Greyn Bos, which became Greenbush in English. Rensselaer was an early center of the U.S. dye industry in the United States and home to the country's first aspirin factory. The city became a railroad hub in the 19th century; in 2020, Albany-Rensselaer was the ninth-busiest Amtrak station in the country and the second-busiest in New York State.

The natives of the area called it Petuquapoern and Juscum catick, and the Dutch claimed the land in 1609 based on Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River on board the Dutch ship, Halve Maen. Later the area was called "De Laet's Burg" in honor of one of the directors of the Dutch West India Co. Settlement occurred at least as early as 1628. By 1642, there was a brewery and many farms, also a ferry was established by Hendrick Albertsen running from the mouth of Beaver Creek in Beverwyck (Albany) to the future Rensselaer. Greenbush (originally t'Greyn Bos in Dutch) was the earliest settlement from Dutch times. The hamlet of East Albany was part of the village of Greenbush. The second hamlet that was incorporated was Bath (also Bath-on-Hudson), which was laid out in 1795 and incorporated as a village before 1874.

In the 19th century, Rensselaer became the site of the Boston & Albany Railroad's (B&A) passenger depot, shops, freight houses, roundhouse, and coach yard. It was the site of transfers between trains of the New York Central Railroad and the B&A. A ferry transported people to and from Van Rensselaer Island and downtown Albany at Maiden Lane. In 1871, the Maiden Lane Bridge was built replacing the ferry. In 1903, the channel that separated the island from the mainland was filled in with sand dredged from the bottom of the Hudson River. When the NY Central and the B&A merged in 1900 the island's activities became less important, though a new roundhouse and coach yard were built even as many buildings were demolished.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2), of which 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (9.61%) is water. The city is flat along the western and southern areas but the center and northern areas slope steeply to the east.

The city lies next to the Hudson River with Albany County and the city of Albany on the opposite shore. The town of North Greenbush borders the city to the north, and the town of East Greenbush is on the southern border; both towns border the city on the east, with the dividing line between the two towns meeting Rensselaer in the middle section of the city's eastern boundary. Rensselaer's southern border is even with the city of Albany's southern border; however, the northern border of Rensselaer is slightly south of Albany's corresponding northern border.

Rensselaer emphasizes health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Rensselaer’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Campus Fitness Connection, RCSC Family Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Rensselaer, such as the Bloomingdale Brook Waterfall Trail and the Southern Waterfall Spur Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Rensselaer, NY are New York State Museum, the New York State Capitol, and Crailo State Historic Site. 

Population: 9,453 (2024). ZIP code: 12144. Area codes: 518, 838. Elevation: 16 ft (5 m). Area: 3.51 sq mi (9.10 km2).

FAQs

What is Rensselaer, NY known for?

Rensselaer has been one of the most important railroad centers on the continent. Rensselaer is home to historic Crailo, the only New York State Historic Site devoted to Dutch culture. Rensselaer (then known as Greenbush) was the birthplace (1844) of famed African American sculptress, Edmonia Lewis.

Is Rensselaer, NY a good place to live?

Rensselaer is a suburb with a population of 9,252. Rensselaer is in Rensselaer County. Living in Rensselaer offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Rensselaer, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Rensselaer and residents tend to lean conservative.

What is the crime rate in Rensselaer, NY?

The crime rate in Rensselaer is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 13 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Rensselaer is 1 in 76. Based on FBI crime data, Rensselaer is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Rensselaer has a crime rate that is higher than 74% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Rensselaer

Rensselaer’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Campus Fitness Connection

RCSC Family Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Bloomingdale Brook Waterfall Trail

New York State Museum

New York State Capitol

Crailo State Historic Site

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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