Capital Region Population Growth Regains Momentum
The Capital Region was New York’s second fastest-growing region in 2017, with its population increasing over the year by 2,795, or 0.3 percent. This represented a return to more robust growth following three years of marginal gains. Over the past five years, the region’s population has grown by 0.4 percent, the third fastest rate in the state, according to a Center for Economic Growth analysis of new U.S. Census Bureau data.
County Population
The region’s population last year totaled an estimated 1,088,994. Saratoga County accounted for 82.6 percent of the eight-county region’s annual population growth, increasing by 2,309 to 229,869. Schenectady and Albany counties made the next largest year-over-year population gains, increasing by 593 and 532, respectively. Columbia County sustained the largest annual loss (-406), followed by Washington (-186) and Greene (-43) counties.
Metro Population
Over the year, the population of five-county Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan statistical area (MSA) increased by 3,387, or 0.4 percent, to 886,188. That made it the fastest-growing metro among the state’s 12 MSAs. Over the last five years, the metro’s population rose by 0.9 percent, the second fastest rate in the state.
Migration
Gains from international migration continued to drive the Capital Region’s growth in 2017, but losses from domestic migration slowed. Between 2016 and 2017, the region welcomed 2,901 international migrants (immigrants and returning U.S. citizens). The domestic outflow totaled 517. Saratoga County had the state’s largest annual domestic migrant inflow (1,701) while Warren County had the fifth largest (78) and Greene County had the sixth (25). The impact of the region’s aging population was reflected in its marginal natural population growth (435) as the widening spread between births and deaths narrowed.
CEG Solutions
To help Capital Region accelerate its growth, CEG is involved in the following activities:
• Sponsoring the Capital Region’s first Manufacturing Intermediary Apprenticeship Program to help local manufacturers build their talent pipelines for high-skill positions.
• Helping Hudson Valley Community College create the region’s first short-term, stackable credential training program for workers interested in joining the manufacturing workforce.
• Leveraging its Talent Connect program to enhance employers’ efforts to attract and retain skilled workers in the region.
• Bringing talent to the region by representing Capital Region employers at job fairs throughout the Northeast – including about 20 in 2018.
• Attracting companies and talent to the region by representing the key industries, such as semiconductor, life sciences, game development and clean tech, at trade conferences worldwide.
• Providing technical assistance to established manufacturers and startups to help them operate more efficiently, tap new markets and grow in the region.
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