Albany Quick Facts

  • Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District.
  • The city had an estimated population of 93,539 in 2008 and the population of the greater metropolitan area was estimated at 857,592 in 2009.
  • Santa Claus, and the first celebration of the feast of St. Nicholas in America, probably originated in Albany (imported from the Netherlands).
    Toilet paper was invented and patented in Albany.
  • Albany is the oldest continuous settlement in the original 13 English colonies.
  • Albany saw its first European settlement in 1614 and was officially chartered as a city in 1686.
  • July is the average warmest month in Albany.
  • Albany has won the All-America City Award on two occasions, 1991 and 2009.
  • The lowest recorded temperature was -28° F (-33.5° Celsius) in 1971.
  • The highest recorded temperature was 103° F (39.44° Celsius) in 1936.
  • Albany is known for its extensive history, culture, architecture, and institutions of higher education.