Colonie

by The Linguist

Colonie is a town in Albany County, New York, United States. It is the most populous suburb of Albany, New York, and is the third largest town in area in Albany County. Several hamlets exist within the town, including: Newtonville, West Albany, Colonie Village, Menands, and Maplewood. As of the 2020 census, the town had a total population of 85,559.

Population

According to the 2020 census, Colonie had a population of 85,559. This makes it the 6th largest municipality in New York, and the largest town in the state. It saw rapid growth throughout the second half of the 20th century, more than doubling its population from 36,763 in the 1960 census to 80,476 in the 2000 census.

Colonie is home to a diverse population. As of 2019, the racial makeup of the town was 78.2% White, 6.7% Black or African American, 7.8% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.02% Pacific Islander, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 6.3% of the population.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Colonie is quite diverse and features prominent commercial, industrial, and retail sectors. According to the town, the largest employment categories are healthcare, retail trade, educational services, accommodation and food services, public administration, and manufacturing.

Some of the major private employers located in Colonie include:

Major public sector employers include municipal and county government, school districts, the police department, EMS services, and public libraries.

Attractions

Colonie offers a good mix of cultural, recreational, and historic attractions for visitors and residents alike.

Parks

There are several public parks that provide outdoor recreation opportunities. Some highlights include:

  • Maplewood Park – Features a small lake, walking trails, sports fields, playgrounds, and an ice skating rink.
  • The Crossings – A multi-use recreational park with pools, fitness center, tennis courts, and more.
  • Tawasentha Park – Home to athletic fields, a pond, wooded trails, and a popular sledding hill.

Historic Sites

Some of the historic buildings and landmarks in Colonie include:

  • Schuyler Mansion – 18th century home where General Philip Schuyler and his family lived.
  • Colonie Town Hall – 19th century landmark that previously served as a schoolhouse.
  • First Reformed Church of Colonie – 18th century church that played role in Revolutionary War.
  • Boght Corners – Historic hamlet with several preserved buildings from 1700s and 1800s.

Performing Arts

Colonie is home to the prominent Colonie Center, which hosts concerts, comedy shows, family events, and other performances throughout the year.

The Colonie Arts Guild offers art shows, classes, and theater productions as well.

Shopping/Dining

Colonie has a vibrant retail scene, led by the Colonie Center shopping mall. With over 150 stores, it is one of the region’s largest malls. The town also has shopping plazas, supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes scattered throughout its different neighborhoods.

Sports

Colonie is home to the Albany FireWolves, a professional box lacrosse team that plays at the Times Union Center in downtown Albany. The FireWolves began play in 2018 and are part of the National Lacrosse League.

For 18 seasons between 2002 and 2020, Colonie was also home to the Albany River Rats, a minor league hockey team that played at the Times Union Center. The River Rats won the Calder Cup championship in the 1994-1995 season.

On the amateur level, Colonie offers youth sports leagues for baseball, football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and more through organizations like the Colonie Youth Center.