ABOUT THE CAPITAL DISTRICT AREA
IN ALBANY, NEW YORK
The City of Albany, located on the banks of the Hudson River in the heart of the Capital District, is proud to be New York State’s Capital City.
Overview & Location
The City’s population was 97,856 at the time of the 2010 census. Albany has close ties with the nearby cities of Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs, forming a region called the Capital District. The bulk of this area is made up of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Its 2010 population was 870,716, the fourth-largest urban area in New York and the 58th-largest MSA in the country.
Albany is a beautiful destination, offering valuable resources for higher education and sustainable living, vibrant and active urban centers, and desirable neighborhoods. The City’s deep-rooted history and heritage are reflected in its spectacular natural setting along the waterfront and in the architecture of its historic buildings and the contributions from its major institutions, government partnerships, mixed community activities, and diversity of residents.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 97,856 people residing in the city. The population density in 2010 was 4,572.7 per square mile (1,779.2/km). The median income for a household in the city in 2000 was $42,097, and the median income for a family was $44,191 (male, year-round worker) and $37,993 (female, year-round worker). The per capita income for the city was $25,618.
Geography
Roughly 135 miles (217 km) north of the City of New York, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about 10 miles (16 km) south of its confluence with the Mohawk River.
The city is bordered on the north by the town of Colonie, on the west by the town of Guilderland, and on the south by the town of Bethlehem. The Hudson River represents the city’s eastern border. There are four lakes within city limits: Buckingham Lake, Rensselaer Lake at the mouth of the Patroon Creek; Tivoli Lake, which was formed as a reservoir and once connected to the Patroon Creek; and Washington Park Lake, which was formed by damming the Beaver Kill.
Parks and Recreation
Albany has more than 60 public parks and recreation areas. The most popular parks for recreation include:
Washington Park
Lincoln Park
Buckingham Park
The Corning Preserve
Pine Bush
Lincoln Park has a pool open during the summer months. Buckingham Lake Park is between Manning Boulevard and Route 85 in the Buckingham Pond neighborhood; it contains a pond with fountains, a footpath, a playground, and picnic tables. The Albany Riverfront Park at the Corning Preserve has an 800-seat amphitheater that hosts events in non-winter months, most notably the Alive at Five summer concert series. The Preserve’s visitors center details the ecology of the Hudson River and the local environment. The park has a bike trail and boat launch and was effectively separated from downtown by Interstate 787 until the opening of the Hudson River Way in 2002.
Albany Economy
Albany’s economy, along with that of the Capital District, heavily depends on government, health care, and education. Because of these typically steady economic bases, the local economy has been relatively immune to national economic recessions in the past. More than 25 percent of the city’s population works in government-related positions. In March 2010, the Albany area had the lowest unemployment rate of any major metropolitan area in New York, at 7.8%, compared to 9.4% in New York.
Education
The City School District of Albany (CSDA) operates the city’s public school system, which consists of 18 schools and learning centers; in addition, there are ten charter schools. In the 2008-09 school year, 7,899 students were enrolled in the public school system.
Albany has several private schools, including the coed Bishop Maginn High School and Albany Free School, the all-boys Albany Academy and La Salle School, and the all-girls Academy of the Holy Names and Albany Academy for Girls.
Albany has a long history in higher education. The Albany Medical College (private), today part of Albany Medical Center, was founded in 1838. Albany Law School (private) is the oldest law school in New York and the fourth oldest in the country; it was opened in 1851. The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (private) is the second-oldest pharmacy school in New York and the fifteenth-oldest in the United States. The New York State Normal School, one of the oldest teacher’s colleges in the United States, opened in 1905, later known as the State Teachers College. It eventually evolved into the University at Albany, also known as SUNY Albany (public), which inherited the Normal School’s original downtown campus on Western Avenue.
Museums
Because of Albany’s historical and political significance, the city has numerous museums, historical buildings, and historic districts. Albany is home to the New York State Museum and New York State Archives, both open to the public.
Contact The Village Animal Clinic for Albany
If you need additional information about our affordable, quality veterinary care in Albany serving nearby communities of Voorheesville, Schenectady, Guilderland, and Troy, New York, please call The Village Animal Clinic at (518) 765-0111.
Albany Entertainment
Albany’s geographic situation – roughly equidistant between New York City to the south and Montreal to the north, as well as approximately 4.5 hours East of Buffalo and 2.5 hours West of Boston – makes it a convenient stop for nationally touring artists and acts.
The Palace Theatre and The Egg provide mid-sized forums for music, theater, and spoken word performances, with the Capital Repertory Theatre filling the small-sized niche. The TU Center is the city’s most significant musical venue for nationally and internationally prominent bands and hosts trade shows, sporting events, and other large-scale community gatherings.
Madison Avenue, Pearl Street, Delaware Avenue, and Lark Street serve as the most active entertainment areas in the city. Many restaurants, clubs, and bars have opened since the mid-1990s, revitalizing numerous areas that had once been abandoned; various establishments have reclaimed old row houses, businesses, and even a pump station.
Exceptional Veterinary Services in Albany, New York
Offering expert veterinary care, from prevention to emergency support, The Village Animal Clinic provides a full range of services to pets in the Voorheesville, Albany, Schenectady, Guilderland, and Troy, NY areas that set the standard for excellence in animal care. Our hospital sets itself apart in several essential ways, which makes a difference for you and your Albany County pet.
Preventive and Wellness Care for your Albany Pet
At The Village Animal Clinic, our team of veterinarians provides high-quality preventative and wellness care to keep your Albany pet as healthy and happy. Our services include preventive care, microchipping, prescription diets, pet dentistry, immunizations, and quality care for senior pets.
Annual pet exams allow the veterinarians at The Village Animal Clinic to establish a normal pattern for each pet’s weight, temperature, and body condition. A thorough, hands-on physical examination assists in detecting hidden problems that may otherwise go unnoticed until your pet’s health deteriorates. This preventative approach also allows us to tailor a specific health and immunization plan to each pet’s unique lifestyle.