## Introduction
Rensselaer is a city in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The population was 9,549 at the 2010 census.
## History
Rensselaer was founded in 1683 by Dutch settlers. The city was named after Kiliaen van Rensselaer, a Dutch merchant and landowner.
## Geography
Rensselaer is located at 42°42′53″N 73°35′22″W (42.714725, -73.589444). It is situated on the east bank of the Hudson River, approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Albany.
## Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the population of Rensselaer was 9,549. The racial makeup of the city was 65.4% White, 18.2% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 5.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.5% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.6% of the population.
## Economy
The economy of Rensselaer is based primarily on manufacturing, education, and healthcare. The city is home to a number of large employers, including General Electric, GE Power, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
## Culture
Rensselaer is home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Rensselaer County Historical Society, the Rensselaer Art Center, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Museum. The city also hosts a number of annual events, including the Rensselaer Tulip Festival and the Rensselaer County Fair.
## Education
Rensselaer is home to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private research university founded in 1824. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, and business.
## Government
Rensselaer is governed by a mayor-council form of government. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city, and the council is responsible for enacting ordinances and approving the city budget.
## Transportation
Rensselaer is served by Interstate 90, New York State Route 4, and New York State Route 146. The city is also served by Amtrak’s Empire Corridor line.
## Notable People
Rensselaer is the birthplace of several notable people, including:
- John Brown, abolitionist
- Cornelius Vanderbilt, railroad magnate
- John Pierpont Morgan, financier
- Alexander Graham Bell, inventor
- Thomas Edison, inventor
| Topic | Feature |
|---|---|
| Map of Rensselaer, New York | A map of the city of Rensselaer, New York, in the United States. |
| Rensselaer, New York | A city in Rensselaer County, New York, in the United States. |
| Map of Rensselaer County, New York | A map of Rensselaer County, New York, in the United States. |
| Rensselaer County, New York | A county in New York State, in the United States. |
| City of Rensselaer, New York | The county seat of Rensselaer County, New York, in the United States. |
II. History
The city of Rensselaer was founded in 1794 by Stephen Van Rensselaer, a wealthy landowner and politician. The city was named after his father, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, who was one of the original Dutch settlers of the area. Rensselaer quickly grew as a commercial center, and by the mid-19th century it was one of the largest cities in New York State. The city’s economy was based on manufacturing, shipping, and trade.
In the 20th century, Rensselaer continued to grow as a manufacturing center. However, the city’s economy declined in the late 20th century as many manufacturing jobs were outsourced to other countries. In recent years, Rensselaer has been trying to diversify its economy by attracting new businesses and industries.
III. Geography
Rensselaer is located in Rensselaer County, New York, in the United States. It is situated on the Hudson River, approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Albany, the state capital. The city has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), of which 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (1.9%) is water.
The city is bordered by the Hudson River to the west, the town of Rensselaer to the north, the town of East Greenbush to the east, and the city of Troy to the south.
Rensselaer has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The average annual temperature is 47.6 °F (8.6 °C). The average high temperature in July is 79.9 °F (26.6 °C), and the average low temperature in January is 19.5 °F (-7.5 °C).
The city receives an average of 42.8 inches (108 cm) of precipitation per year, with most of it falling in the form of rain. The wettest month is July, with an average of 5.4 inches (13.7 cm) of precipitation, and the driest month is February, with an average of 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) of precipitation.