Albany

Albany
City
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Albany
Settled	1614
Incorporated (city)	July 22, 1686
Government
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Mayor	Kathy Sheehan
Area
• Total	21.94 sq mi (56.82 km2)
• Land	21.39 sq mi (55.40 km2)
• Water	0.55 sq mi (1.42 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	99,224
• Density	4,500/sq mi (1,700/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	12201-12212
Area code(s)	518
FIPS code	36-01000
GNIS feature ID	978673
Website	www.albanyny.gov

Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York and the county seat of Albany County. Albany is located on the west bank of the Hudson River, approximately 10 miles south of its confluence with the Mohawk River and about 135 miles north of New York City.

History

Albany's history dates back to the early 17th century when it was settled by Dutch colonists. The area was originally called "Fort Orange" and was part of the New Netherland colony. In 1664, the English took control of the area and renamed it Albany in honor of the Duke of Albany, who later became James II. Albany was officially chartered as a city on July 22, 1686, by Governor Thomas Dongan. It became the capital of New York in 1797, replacing Kingston.

Government

Albany operates under a Mayor–council government system. The current mayor is Kathy Sheehan, who has been in office since 2014. The city council consists of 15 members, each representing one of the city's wards.

Geography

Albany is situated in the northeastern part of New York State. The city covers a total area of 56.82 square kilometers, of which 55.40 square kilometers is land and 1.42 square kilometers is water. The city is part of the Capital District of New York State, which also includes the cities of Troy and Schenectady.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Albany had a population of 99,224. The city has a diverse population with a mix of different ethnic and racial groups. The largest ethnic groups in Albany are White, African American, and Hispanic.

Economy

Albany has a mixed economy with sectors such as government, education, healthcare, and technology playing significant roles. The city is home to several higher education institutions, including University at Albany and Albany Medical College. The presence of these institutions has fostered a growing technology sector, particularly in the fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Education

Albany is served by the Albany City School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. The city is also home to several higher education institutions, including the University at Albany, SUNY, Albany Law School, and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Transportation

Albany is a transportation hub with several major highways, including Interstate 87 and Interstate 90, intersecting in the city. The city is also served by the Albany International Airport and the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station.

Culture

Albany has a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, theaters, and historic sites. The New York State Museum, Albany Institute of History & Art, and the Palace Theatre are some of the notable cultural institutions in the city.

Related Pages

• New York (state)
• Albany County, New York
• Hudson River
• University at Albany, SUNY
• Albany Medical College
• Capital District, New York
• Troy, New York
• Schenectady, New York