RENSSELAER COUNTY, NY
County Offices
1600 7th Avenue
Troy 518-270-2690
www.rensco.com
Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce
90 Fourth Street
Troy 518-274-7020
www.renscochamber.com
As one of New York’s earliest settled counties, Rensselaer County has a long history. The population of the county is more than 156,000 residing in area that covers over 665 square miles.
Lifestyle
The quality of life is very high, offering a little of something for everyone. The county is home to 14 towns, six villages, and two cities. The county seat is Troy which is known as the “Collar City”, the home of “Uncle Sam,” and is home to some of the nation’s finest Victorian architecture. Just minutes from the city life and the Hudson River is unspoiled countryside, including national historic landmarks and wonderful farms boasting agri-tourism and rural attractions surrounded by mountains, rivers and streams.
Rensselaer County is an excellent place to live, work, shop, raise a family, and especially to start or expand a business. The economic, educational, and recreational opportunities to be found in the county are unrivalled. In fact, the Tech Valley region is one of the fastest-expanding metro areas in the U.S. with an employment outlook that consistently surpasses national averages. The area has also been ranked 2nd in the nation on Richard Florida’s Creativity Index, a measure of a community’s arts, culture and creative professions. Rensselaer County belongs to a region that boasts an unmatched combination of travel access, skilled labor, intellectual capital and recreational enjoyment.
The entire county is a home for popular events like the Schaghticoke Fair, the Grafton Lakes Winter Fest and the annual Apple Festival and Crafts Show, which are enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors annually. The arts and entertainment scene are growing dramatically in the area, sparked by an influx of new galleries and performance spaces. Venues like the Arts Center of the Capital Region, New York State Theater Institute and the legendary Troy Savings Bank Music Hall are now joined by new entertainment spaces such as Rensselaer’s state-of-the-art Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), the popular Revolution Hall concert stage and several smaller venues for art exhibits and live music.
For those looking to enjoy a little shopping, There are many unique retail shops, boutiques and antique stores for one-of-a-kind treasures and merchandise located on quiet main streets or on country roads throughout the county.
Sports fans can root for local teams, like the Tri-City Valley Cats Class A baseball team, RPI Engineers, HVCC Vikings and Russell Sage Gators college programs or Troy High and Lansingburgh Central high school athletics. Residents of the county who want to participate in sports can enjoy local bowling and tennis associations, and recreational and youth leagues for golf. they can also enjoy ice skating, tennis, volleyball, and swimming in the communities throughout the area.
No matter the lifestyle, Rensselaer County offers a wide choice of options for those looking to settle into an area with a lot to offer.
Services
The County’s economic diversity speaks for itself: entrepreneurs and corporate executives, small businesses and global companies, world class educational institutions and high tech development can all be found in the county. With easy proximity to Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, Montreal and much more, Rensselaer County is located for easy access. Agriculture and the Hudson River also contribute to the economic status of the county.
The County affords outstanding educational opportunities at all levels. Public and private schools offer strong college preparatory, vocational and technical programs. Rensselaer County Schools offer a variety of enrichment programs which take students beyond the normal curriculum. Academic enrichment in music, drama and art broaden the cultural awareness of local students and community. Accredited private schools that offer classes in kindergarten through grade twelve are also available. In the Tech Valley environment of the Capital Region, many of the college-school partnerships focus on enhancing student preparation and interest in math, science and technology fields.
Rensselaer County is home to a number of distinguished institutions of higher education, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, one of the premier science and technology universities in the world, Russell Sage College, one of the nation’s first colleges for women, and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), a member of the State University of New York System and a nationally ranked community college. Numerous other colleges and universities throughout the Capital Region fortify the educational base of the area, including Union College, Siena College, The College of St. Rose, The University at Albany, Albany Medical College (associated with Albany Medical Center), Albany Law School, and Albany College of Pharmacy. These institutions offer myriad excellent opportunities for technical assistance, specialized training, and support.
Health care is a priority in the County and is well represented by an excellent full-service hospital, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. The county is served by the St. Peter’s Health Partners. The organization is the region’s largest and most comprehensive network of high-quality, advanced medical care, primary care, rehabilitation and senior services, and is the “parent corporation” for the three merging health systems. St. Peter’s Health Partners includes Albany Memorial Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany; Samaritan Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy; Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady; as well as The Eddy system of continuing care.
Berlin
Town Offices
518-658-2020
http://berlin-ny.us
The town of Berlin is located near the center of the eastern border of the county. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Grafton and Petersburgh, on the east by the State of Massachusetts, on the south by Stephentown and on the west by Poestenkill and Sand Lake. Berlin is home to more than 2,000 residents. Going back in time, Berlin had its economic roots as a center for dairy farming, however many of the farms have been subdivided. The town now serves primarily as a bedroom community for the capital district, but retains some notable industries. The community while still primarily rural offers its residents the opportunity to enjoy all of the quiet of the country side while the urban amenities of Albany and Troy are close to home. The surrounding area offers residents the opportunity to enjoy nature along stream and rivers. The town is also home to the Cherry Plain State Park, a quiet park nestled in the woods of the Taconic Valley with a sandy beach on Black River Pond. The park boasts a bath house and comfort station. Visitors to the park can enjoy fishing, picnicking, boating, bridle paths, hiking, biking and nature trails, and in the winter months, cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
Brunswick
Town Offices
518-279-3461
www.townofbrunswick.org
Brunswick was originally settled in the early 18th century. During its history, it had been part of Albany County, Rensselaerswyck, and Troy, before its incorporation in 1807. It is bordered on the west by the city of Troy; on the north by Schaghticoke and Pittstown; on the east by Grafton; and on the south by Poestenkill and North Greenbush. The town is home to more than 12,000 residents. Brunswick was historically agricultural, but began experiencing suburban growth as a bedroom community to Albany. Historically, most of the development has occurred around the town’s two major thoroughfares: New York Route 7 and New York Route 2, known locally as Hoosick Road and Brunswick Road. Brunswick became a popular place to settle upon the completion of the local highway system in the Capital District. The community offers its residents all of the conveniences of daily life with local and national retail stores available to supply their living needs. The community has a strong sense of local pride, evident in the many annual gatherings in the town community center. Brunswick is also home to many recreational opportunities, including the local community center and nearby parks. In addition, located on North Lake Avenue, the Town Beach and park offer a variety of recreational activities several seasons of the year. Farmers Markets in season, community center hosts town events including music.
East Greenbush
Town Offices
518-477-2005
www.eastgreenbush.org
This quiet community is home to a population of over 16,500. The word Greenbush is derived from the Dutch Greenen Bosch, referring to the pine woods that originally covered the land. The town was established in 1855 as Clinton, and was renamed in 1858. It is mostly suburban along its major highways and rural in the southwestern and northeastern corners. Interstate 90 traverses the town. It contains the west end of US Route 4 and the northern terminus of NY Route 9J; as well as US Route 9 and US Route 20. The community is home to many quiet neighborhoods that dot the landscape near the busy highways and then gets quieter and more rural as you move inland. The town offers its residents a full selection of retail stores and restaurants to choose from. The town has several parks within its borders and these are the center of activities in the area. The East Greenbush Town Park provides children the opportunity to spend their summers with friends and making life long memories. The town Parks and Recreation Department holds music in the park events every Tuesday in August in Onderdonk Park with live music and food vendors for residents to enjoy on a summer evening. In the fall there is the Saturday in the Park festival with live music, vendors of all varieties, food, and numerous activities for residents to enjoy while exploring the town.
Hoosick
Town Offices
518-686-4571
http://townofhoosick.org
Hoosick is home to a population of more than 7,000 residents. The Town of Hoosick is in the northeast corner of the county and is primarily a rural community of farm land. Farming and farm families have helped shape the Town of Hoosick’s economy, rural character and landscapes. Agriculture is the largest single land use within the Town encompassing approximately 51 percent of the Town’s total land area. A good portion of that farm land is today worked by third-generation farmers who are committed to protect the Town’s natural resources and produce a wide variety of fresh farm products – milk, vegetables, organic meats, cheeses, eggs, and flowers as well as Christmas trees. Hoosick is also home to horse farms. And in a more recent development a thriving agri-tourism business which draws in people from all over the east coast to visit and experience the local farm community. The Town has a long-standing commitment to providing recreational opportunities to its youth, and improving the quality of life for all its residents. The preservation and enhancement of the Town’s recreational facilities are fundamental to the vision of the Town as a great place to live, work and play. The Town’s recreational facilities are located on 8.5 acres of land in the Village of Hoosick Falls. The facilities include an outdoor pool with 365-person capacity, 90′ baseball field, 60′ softball field, basketball court, three tennis courts, an enclosed playground and a perimeter-walking path. Also located at the site is the Reynolds/Gilchrest Multi-Purpose Building, which is used year-round for recreational and community activities. Hoosick’s identity is based on its agricultural heritage, and the Town encourages residents and visitors to support it’s farming community by buying local, farm-fresh goods.
Nassau
Town Offices
518-766-3559
https://townnassau.digitaltowpath.org:10091/content
The Town of Nassau is at the southern border of the county and is home to approximately 5,000 residents. It was formed from Petersburgh, Stephentown and Schodack in 1806. The landscapes of the town are very rural, hilly and in many places open land. The hills are parts of the Petersburgh Mountains which are separated from the Taghkanic Mountains by Kinderhook creek. There are many other small streams which furnish abundant water power that was used in the early days of the town to power mills. There are also numerous lakes and small ponds in the town. Burden Lake, in the northeastern corner of the town, lies partly in Sand Lake, and is the largest body of water in the county. This abundance of water means that residents can enjoy a vast array of outdoor activities in every season of the year. Whether its boating, fishing or hiking a waterside trail. The town is essentially an agricultural community which means that fresh locally grown produce is always readily available. The town is home to several villages within its borders. The principal village in the town is Nassau, which is located on the Valatie kill in the southwestern part of the town. It is considered by many to be one of the most attractive villages in the county, with a picturesque main street and many attractive historic buildings all around the center of town.
Rensselaer
City Offices
518-462-4266
www.rensselaerny.gov
Rensselaer is located along the Hudson River directly opposite Albany. The city has a population of more than 9,400 residents. Rensselaer is on the west border of the county. The earliest settlement of the area occurred as early as 1628 making this one of the oldest settled regions in the country and one of the oldest settlements from the original 13 colonies. The city has a rich industrial history stretching back to the 19th century, when it became a major railroad junction. It is still important in railroading as the location of the 14th busiest Amtrak station in the country. It was also one of the earliest locations of the dye industry in the United States, and the first American location for the production of aspirin. The city lies next to the Hudson River with Albany County and the City of Albany on the opposite shore. The towns of North Greenbush and East Greenbush in the county, border the city. As such an old settlement, Rensselaer is home to many historic sites that reflect its location as a river city. The river plays an important part in the city’s daily life and for resident’s recreation. The city offers its residents all o f the necessities of life from local to national retailers, restaurants, shopping and more. The arts, nightlife and all of the urban amenities of Albany are a short drive across the river. This means that Rensselaer is a popular place for those to live who work in the city.
Schaghticoke
Town Offices
518-753-6915
http://townofschaghticoke.org
Schaghticoke is home to more 7,700 residents. It was named for the Schaghticoke, a Native American tribe formed in the seventeenth century from an amalgamation of remnant peoples of eastern New York and New England. The tribe has one of the oldest reservations in the United States, located in what is now Litchfield County, Connecticut. The town is on the northern border of the county, north of Troy. The town contains a village, also called Schaghticoke, and part of the village of Valley Falls. The town is primarily an agricultural community but also serves as a suburban community of both nearby Troy and Albany. Schaghticoke is home to the 3rd oldest Fair in New York State this is a family fair with hands on participation at its exhibits. This old fashioned fair is designed with tasting, seeing, hearing and feeling agriculture in action. It draws thousands of people from all over the region.
Schodack
Town Offices
518-477-7918
www.schodack.org
Schodack is home to more than 12,500 residents. The town is in the southwestern part of the county. Schodack lies on the east side of the Hudson River, between Albany and the Berkshires. Schodack was settled by the Dutch soon after Henry Hudson’s exploration of the Hudson River in 1609. Before the Dutch came, the land was farmed and hunted by Indians of the Mohican tribe. The hamlet of Schodack Landing, which was an early center of river trade, still contains many old homes and is listed as a National Historic Site. Many of Schodack’s long-time residents are of Dutch descent. This can be seen, heard and tasted in the local shops and town events. The town is home to a popular local park that offers varied settings, from meadows to streamside trails, all about a mile from Schodack Town Hall. There is also a state park, with a boat launch, picnic facilities and other amenities at Schodack Island on the east banks of the Hudson River. Fishermen find abundant catches in trout streams and the Hudson River. Schodack is a popular community with families that work in Albany as it is only a 20 min drive into the city. This also means that Albany’s urban activities are close to home.
Troy
City Offices
518-279-7134
www.troyny.gov
Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital District. The city is one of the three major centers for the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which has a population of 850,957. Troy has a population of over 50,000 residents. The City’s rich history and eclectic energy has attracted people from across the nation and around the world. It offers the convenience and accessibility of urban living with a friendly, small town feel. The City’s affordable properties draw new residents from all walks of life: urban pioneers who enjoy living and working in Troy’s beautiful, historic buildings; college students who come for a world-class education and decide to stay, and business owners seeking a real sense of community. Troy is considered the official gateway to the New York Canal System and boasts a picturesque waterfront park, a dock, and marina. The city itself is acclaimed for events like its River Street Festival, the nation’s largest Flag Day parade, and the wintertime favorite, the Victorian Stroll. Troy has become a popular tourist destination. People flock to the city for the new businesses that have opened and some of the finer historical homes have been converted into restaurants and shops. Many come to explore the area’s history, or to attend a cultural event at one of the city’s colleges. A farmer’s market comes to town on Saturday’s and two blocks of River Street are filled with antique shops. Troy is also known for its’ fine restaurants and unique gift shops. Residents enjoy Troy’s Washington Park, which has a gated green. The City of Troy is made up of several neighborhoods, each of them with its own character. Many residents and Neighborhood Associations volunteer their time and energy on projects that showcase their unique areas. Some of the many activities undertaken include beautification of city parks, annual Earth Day cleanup of the neighborhoods, the sponsoring of festivals and activities for children, and much more. All of these efforts combine to help retain current residents and welcome newcomers to this active and lively city.
