US ZIP Code
12196

West Sand Lake, NY

Rensselaer County  ·  New York

● Active
👥 3,848 Population ↑ 9% since 2019
💰 $126,825 Median HH Income
▲ 66% above avg ↑ 34% since 2019
🎂 42.8 Median Age ↑ 6% since 2019
🏠 $338,400 Median Home Value
▲ 21% above avg ↑ 51% since 2019
🎓 64.3% College Grads
▲ 66% above avg
📊 4.3% Unemployment
▼ 12% below avg ↑ 149% since 2019
ZIP Code Details
ZIP Code12196
CityWest Sand Lake
StateNew York (NY)
CountyRensselaer County
Area Code518/838
Elevation509 ft
Latitude42.631786
Longitude-73.613946
TimezoneNew York (DST)
FIPS36083
ZIP TypeStandard
StatusActive
People & Population (ACS 2023)
♂ Male 45.9% (1,765) Female 54.1% (2,083) ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 97.3%Hispanic: 2.2%Black: 0.1%Asian: 0.1%Race
White97.3%
Hispanic2.2%
Black0.1%
Asian0.1%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
4%
5–17
27%
18–24
6%
25–44
16%
45–64
29%
65+
11%

Key Indicators

Median Age42.8 yrs ↑ 6% since 2019
Avg Household Size2.94
Below Poverty3.8% ▼ 62% below avg
College Grads64.3% ▲ 66% above avg
Unemployment4.3% ▼ 12% below avg
No HS Diploma63 (2.7%)
HS Graduate466 (19.8%)
Some College74 (3.2%)
Associates236 (10.1%)
Bachelors534 (22.7%)
Graduate Degree975 (41.5%)

Education

No HS: 2.7%HS Grad: 19.8%Some College: 3.2%Associates: 10.1%Bachelors: 22.7%Graduate: 41.5%Edu
No HS2.7%
HS Grad19.8%
Some College3.2%
Associates10.1%
Bachelors22.7%
Graduate41.5%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 91.3%Renter: 8.7%Tenure
Owner91.3%
Renter8.7%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
1%
$50k–100k
6%
$100k–150k
3%
$150k–200k
7%
$200k–300k
26%
$300k–500k
40%
Over $500k
18%

Financials

Median HH Income$126,825 ▲ 66% above avg ↑ 34% since 2019
Median Home Value$338,400 ▲ 21% above avg ↑ 51% since 2019
Home/Income Ratio2.7x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$1,084/mo ↑ 22% since 2019
Total Units1,308
Vacant Units7
Avg HH Size2.94

Income Distribution

Under $25k
5%
$25k–50k
7%
$50k–75k
8%
$75k–100k
10%
$100k–150k
28%
$150k–200k
23%
Over $200k
19%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
86%
Public Transit
0%
Work From Home
14%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
22%
15–30 min
61%
30–45 min
9%
Over 45 min
8%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
1%
1940s–1950s
4%
1960s–1970s
13%
1980s–1990s
23%
2000+
59%

Summary

Total Units1,308
Vacant7
Owner Occupied91.3%
Renter Occupied8.7%
Avg HH Size2.94
Frequently Asked Questions
ZIP code 12196 is in West Sand Lake, NY, in Rensselaer County.
ZIP code 12196 is located in New York (NY).
ZIP code 12196 is in Rensselaer County, NY.
ZIP 12196 observes the New York timezone. Daylight Saving Time is observed.
The estimated population of ZIP code 12196 is 3,848 people (ACS 2023).
The median household income in ZIP code 12196 is $126,825 (ACS 2023).
The median home value in ZIP 12196 is $338,400 (ACS 2023).
About ZIP Code 12196

ZIP code 12196 is located in West Sand Lake, New York, within Rensselaer County. With a population of 3,848, this is a sparsely populated ZIP code with a middle-aged community — the median age is 42.8 years. Economically, 12196 is a upper-middle-income ZIP code: the median household income of $126,825 is significantly above the national average.

Real estate in ZIP code 12196 represents a mid-range housing market. The median home value of $338,400 is above the national average. Renters can expect to pay around $1,084 per month in median rent. Homeownership is strong here — 91.3% of occupied units are owner-occupied, suggesting an established, stable residential community. Median home values have increased by 51% since 2019.

The population of 12196 is primarily White (97.32%). Residents are highly educated — 64.3% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is significantly above the national average. Poverty affects a relatively small share of residents at 3.8%. Household income has grown by 34% since 2019.

The unemployment rate in 12196 stands at 4.3%, which is near the national average. About 12% of workers are remote. As in most parts of the country, driving alone is the dominant commute mode at 76%.

Overall, ZIP code 12196 in West Sand Lake, NY is characterized as upper-middle-income, highly educated, a middle-aged community, and predominantly owner-occupied. With 3,848 residents, a median household income of $126,825, and a median home value of $338,400, it offers a clear picture of life in this part of New York.