With the release of the 2017 population estimates, it appears that population growth for the region’s municipalities remains stable and concentrated in Saratoga County, according to the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.
The commission — which covers Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties — noted in a July news release that between 2010 and 2017 those communities posted largest residential gains. Halfmoon’s population rose by 13.5 percent, Ballston’s by 12.8 percent, and Malta’s 9.3 percent.
Of the region’s top 10 fastest growing municipalities, seven are located in Saratoga County, the commission said. Halfmoon remains the fastest growing municipality in the region, growing just over 2,900 residents since the 2010 census. The Town of Ballston is second, growing by an estimated 1,247 residents since 2010.
Moreau gained 5.8 percent more residents.
The region’s four largest cities have experienced mixed results, officials said. Saratoga Springs was among the top 10 fastest growing municipalities at 5.4 percent. The other three cities have seen their populations largely remain flat. Albany’s population is estimated to have grown by 395 (0.4 percent) residents, while Schenectady and Troy declined by 510 (-0.8 percent) and 564 (-1.1 percent) respectively.
“The nature of the estimates would suggest that the populations of all three cities have changed little since 2010,” the report said. “Barring any significant changes to the trends, the cities are likely to experience very modest population change through 2020.”
“There are a lot of reasons: taxes, popularity, location, school districts,” said the commission’s Senior Planner Dan Harp. “This has been going on for decades in Saratoga County, ever since the construction of the Northway. Growth shifted away from Bethlehem and Guilderland and went north.”