Zip code 12196: West Sand Lake, New York

Q: What city is zip code 12196?

12196 is assigned to West Sand Lake, New York. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 12196 in?

12196 is in Rensselaer County, New York.

Q: What is the population of 12196?

About 3,880 people live in 12196, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 12196?

The median household income in 12196 is $110,889.

Q: What zip codes are near 12196?

The closest zip codes to 12196 are 12198, 12061, 12140, 12063, 12018.

Residential delivery areaRensselaer CountyEastern Time

Population

3,880

Median household income

$111K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$317K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$1,000/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

46.6

U.S. 38.9

Land area

9 sq mi

433 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 12196

12196 is a small-town zip code in West Sand Lake, New York (Rensselaer County), covering 9 sq mi of land. About 3,880 people live here, or 433 per square mile. The median resident is 46.6 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $110,889 a year, 37% above the national median of $80,734. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $317,300, or 2.9 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 85% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $1,000 a month.

33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 20.4 minutes each way, and 16% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in management; office and administrative support; and business and finance.

How 12196 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Broadband access99.4%
99th
StrengthU.S. 91% · NY 90.8%106th of 1,673 in NY
Government workers23.9%
93rd
U.S. 14.5% · NY 16.4%387th of 1,685 in NY
Median age46.6
90th
U.S. 38.9 · NY 39.8568th of 1,693 in NY
Homeownership rate84.6%
88th
StrengthU.S. 65.2% · NY 54.3%597th of 1,673 in NY
Self-employed workers14.1%
87th
U.S. 10% · NY 9.7%401st of 1,685 in NY
Veterans9.2%
86th
U.S. 6.2% · NY 3.7%289th of 1,693 in NY
Median earnings per worker$66,757
85th
StrengthU.S. $49,666 · NY $55,321340th of 1,676 in NY
Residents 65 and older21.4%
81st
U.S. 17.2% · NY 17.9%701st of 1,693 in NY
Median household income$110,889
80th
StrengthU.S. $80,734 · NY $85,974389th of 1,602 in NY
Tech workers4.9%
78th
U.S. 3.8% · NY 3.5%220th of 1,685 in NY
Per capita income$51,864
75th
U.S. $44,673 · NY $50,712501st of 1,690 in NY
Residents under 1824%
67th
U.S. 22% · NY 20.5%347th of 1,693 in NY
Work from home16.2%
66th
U.S. 15.1% · NY 14.9%466th of 1,685 in NY
Bachelor's degree or higher32.8%
52nd
U.S. 35.7% · NY 40.2%821st of 1,691 in NY
Median home value$317,300
47th
U.S. $332,700 · NY $423,800667th of 1,614 in NY
Unemployment rate4.1%
36th
U.S. 5.2% · NY 6.4%930th of 1,685 in NY
Population density433/sq mi
31st
U.S. 95/sq mi · NY 421/sq mi688th of 1,693 in NY
Median gross rent$1,000
21st
U.S. $1,413 · NY $1,621883rd of 1,367 in NY
Average commute20.4 min
14th
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · NY 32.6 min1,357th of 1,618 in NY
Poverty rate5.2%
13th
StrengthU.S. 12.5% · NY 14%1,297th of 1,679 in NY
Foreign-born residents1.8%
11th
U.S. 14.1% · NY 22.8%1,247th of 1,693 in NY
Healthcare workers6.2%
9th
U.S. 9.7% · NY 11.8%1,356th of 1,685 in NY
Population3,880
6th
U.S. 334,922,499 · NY 19,852,366811th of 1,693 in NY
Rent-burdened renters32.2%
6th
StrengthU.S. 51.1% · NY 52.1%1,263rd of 1,579 in NY
Income inequality (Gini)0.361
4th
StrengthU.S. 0.483 · NY 0.5171,420th of 1,669 in NY
Diversity index8.6
3rd
U.S. 61.4 · NY 65.51,453rd of 1,693 in NY
Uninsured rate0%
1st
StrengthU.S. 8.4% · NY 5.1%1,632nd of 1,689 in NY
Housing vacancy0%
1st
U.S. 10.1% · NY 10%1,651st of 1,675 in NY

Measure	12196	Rensselaer	NY	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in NY
Broadband accessStrength	99.4%	91.6%	90.8%	91%	99th	106th of 1,673
Government workers	23.9%	22.7%	16.4%	14.5%	93rd	387th of 1,685
Median age	46.6	40.1	39.8	38.9	90th	568th of 1,693
Homeownership rateStrength	84.6%	64.8%	54.3%	65.2%	88th	597th of 1,673
Self-employed workers	14.1%	8%	9.7%	10%	87th	401st of 1,685
Veterans	9.2%	6%	3.7%	6.2%	86th	289th of 1,693
Median earnings per workerStrength	$66,757	$57,260	$55,321	$49,666	85th	340th of 1,676
Residents 65 and older	21.4%	18.3%	17.9%	17.2%	81st	701st of 1,693
Median household incomeStrength	$110,889	$87,915	$85,974	$80,734	80th	389th of 1,602
Tech workers	4.9%	4.3%	3.5%	3.8%	78th	220th of 1,685
Per capita income	$51,864	$46,000	$50,712	$44,673	75th	501st of 1,690
Residents under 18	24%	19.1%	20.5%	22%	67th	347th of 1,693
Work from home	16.2%	14%	14.9%	15.1%	66th	466th of 1,685
Bachelor's degree or higher	32.8%	37.6%	40.2%	35.7%	52nd	821st of 1,691
Median home value	$317,300	$258,400	$423,800	$332,700	47th	667th of 1,614
Unemployment rate	4.1%	5.3%	6.4%	5.2%	36th	930th of 1,685
Population density	433/sq mi	246/sq mi	421/sq mi	95/sq mi	31st	688th of 1,693
Median gross rent	$1,000	$1,217	$1,621	$1,413	21st	883rd of 1,367
Average commuteStrength	20.4 min	24 min	32.6 min	26.4 min	14th	1,357th of 1,618
Poverty rateStrength	5.2%	11.8%	14%	12.5%	13th	1,297th of 1,679
Foreign-born residents	1.8%	5.6%	22.8%	14.1%	11th	1,247th of 1,693
Healthcare workers	6.2%	9.7%	11.8%	9.7%	9th	1,356th of 1,685
Population	3,880	160,332	19,852,366	334,922,499	6th	811th of 1,693
Rent-burdened rentersStrength	32.2%	47.5%	52.1%	51.1%	6th	1,263rd of 1,579
Income inequality (Gini)Strength	0.361	0.428	0.517	0.483	4th	1,420th of 1,669
Diversity index	8.6	36.9	65.5	61.4	3rd	1,453rd of 1,693
Uninsured rateStrength	0%	3.4%	5.1%	8.4%	1st	1,632nd of 1,689
Housing vacancy	0%	10.5%	10%	10.1%	1st	1,651st of 1,675

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

20%

5–17

18–24

25–34

12%

35–44

19%

45–54

12%

55–64

14%

65–74

75+

Median age

46.6

Under 18

24%

65 and over

21.4%

Race and ethnicity

White96%
Black0.1%
Hispanic3%
Asian0.5%
Native American0%
Pacific Islander0.4%
Other0%
Multiracial0.3%

Diversity index

8.6

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

1.8%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

83.7%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

93%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

0.9%

Other

0.7%

Households

Households: 1,452
Average household size: 2.7
Family households: 87.9%
Married couples: 59.5%
Living alone: 9%
Veterans (of adults): 9.2%
Male / female: 47% / 53%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

$25–50k

14%

$50–75k

$75–100k

12%

$100–150k

31%

$150–200k

13%

$200k+

18%

Median household income

12196

$110,889

Rensselaer Co.

$87,915

New York

$85,974

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$51,864

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

5.2%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

30.5%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.361

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

12196

$317,300

Rensselaer Co.

$258,400

New York

$423,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

12196

$1,000

Rensselaer Co.

$1,217

New York

$1,621

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

85%

2–4 units

11%

5–19 units

20+ units

0.5%

Mobile home

0.8%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 1,452
Owner-occupied: 84.6%
Vacant: 0%
Median year built: 1977
Median rooms: 7
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 32.2%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 17.8%
Home value to income: 2.9× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

71%

Carpooled

Transit

0.4%

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

16%

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

10%

10–19

34%

20–29

43%

30–44

45–59

60+

Average commute

20.4 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

4.1%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

73.1%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Management

20%

Office and admin

15%

Business and finance

10%

Sales

Production

Healthcare

Computer and math

Food service

Arts, media and sports

Construction and repair

Transportation and moving

Education

Police and fire

Engineering and science

Cleaning and personal care

Legal and social services

Farming, fishing and forestry

Industries

Manufacturing

12%

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

12%

Public administration

12%

Health care and social assistance

11%

Retail

Finance, insurance and real estate

Construction

Professional and technical services

Admin, support and management

Education

Restaurants and hotels

Wholesale

Information

Arts and recreation

Other services

Agriculture and mining

Median earnings per worker

$66,757

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

14.1%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

23.9%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

11.1%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	12196	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$93,289	$74,888
Service	$7,473	$26,804
Sales and office	$37,222	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$56,250	$49,199
Production and transportation	$37,500	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

10%

High school

22%

Some college

13%

Associate's

22%

Bachelor's

18%

Graduate

14%

High school graduate or higher: 90%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 32.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 14.3%
Households with broadband: 99.4%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 90.8%
No internet access: 0.6%
Without health insurance: 0%
Limited-English households: 0%

Geography

City (USPS): West Sand Lake
State: New York
County: Rensselaer County
Center point: 42.6318° N, 73.6140° W
Land area: 9 sq mi
Water area: 0.2 sq mi
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

West Sand Lake (unincorporated)43% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 12196

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
12198	Wynantskill, NY	3 mi	6,796	$113,083	$285,100
12061	East Greenbush, NY	3.1 mi	9,854	$110,962	$343,800
12140	Poestenkill, NY	4.1 mi	1,512	$138,393	$301,600
12063	East Schodack, NY	4.6 mi	665	$90,855	$299,100
12018	Averill Park, NY	4.7 mi	7,422	$126,620	$345,200
12144	Rensselaer, NY	5.3 mi	22,111	$90,738	$249,700
12207	Albany, NY	7 mi	1,988	$58,998	$232,000
12246	Albany, NY · PO box	7 mi	—	—	—
12153	Sand Lake, NY	7.2 mi	669	$89,861	$291,700
12201	Albany, NY · PO box	7.4 mi	—	—	—
12202	Albany, NY	7.4 mi	10,166	$52,868	$166,000
12204	Albany, NY	7.4 mi	7,812	$74,841	$244,800

Zip codes like 12196 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 12196

What city is zip code 12196?

12196 is assigned to West Sand Lake, New York. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 12196 in?

12196 is in Rensselaer County, New York.

What is the population of 12196?

About 3,880 people live in 12196, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 12196 in?

12196 is in Eastern Time.

What is the median household income in 12196?

The median household income in 12196 is $110,889.

What zip codes are near 12196?

The closest zip codes to 12196 are 12198, 12061, 12140, 12063, 12018.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 12196, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.