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Central Avenue in Colonie, New YorkPhoto: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Colonie

Colonie spent more per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar towns

Colonie’s town government spent $104.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2024, about $1,230 per resident. Water and other utilities ($13.4 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Next public meeting

Sign Review Board

6:00 pm · Public Operations Center, 347 Old Niskayuna Rd

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$104.8M
year to December 31, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$1,230
In 2022: $1,204, more than 83% of 54 similar towns
Long-term debt
$112.0M
end of 2024, reported
Town staff, 2025
519
full-time · 134 part-time · March payroll $4.0M
Typical tax bill
$4,590
1.42% of home value · NY 1.55%

What stands out about how Colonie is run

Read from the town’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends more than most similar townsIn 2022: $1,204 per resident, more than 83% of 54 similar towns.Runs its own water & sewer24% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2024).Its own police and fire112 sworn officers and 3 full-time firefighters on the payroll.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Colonie’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2024 budget

About $1,230 per resident a year, or $3.37 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 14%.

Where the money comes from
From other local governments 25%Property taxes 25%Interest, fines & other 15%Utility sales 12%Fees & charges 11%From the federal government 8%Other taxes & licenses 4%From the state 2%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $7.8 million; interest on debt $6.7 million; payments to other governments $5,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $132.8 million.
About “Other”.34% of Colonie’s day-to-day spending ($35.6 million) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Compared with similar places

$1,204 per resident in 2022: more than 83% of them

Colonie’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,204 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 54 New York towns and townships of 50,000–99,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $756, and the middle half spent $567–$1,024. Colonie spent more than 83% of them.

Middle half of the group, $567–$1,024Median $756Colonie

Includes sewer and trash ($13.7 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
54

New York towns and townships of 50,000–99,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Colonie itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 6% since 2022

Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Colonie reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$98.9 million
2023$99.3 million
2024$104.8 million

Per resident: 2022: $1,204 · 2023: $1,162 · 2024: $1,230.

Town staff
519

full-time in March 2025, up from 494 in 2022.

Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $4,590 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.42% of the home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

New York$6,582
Guilderland$6,314
Halfmoon$5,810
Clifton Park$5,793
Albany$5,091
Colonie$4,590
Waterford$4,401
Cohoes$4,379
Roessleville$3,973
Watervliet$3,656
$4,590
typical bill a year
1.42%
effective rate
$322,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Colonie’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Tax bills are one input to Colonie’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Colonie →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Colonie

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

See colonie.org for Colonie’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Colonie yet.colonie.org ↗
Who works for Colonie

One full-time town employee for every 164 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (85,254).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025

Police150 + 8 pt
Health & welfare67 + 46 pt
Administration & buildings53 + 24 pt
Parks & libraries47 + 20 pt
Water & other utilities55 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation49 + 1 pt
Sewer & trash30 + 1 pt
Courts, inspections & corrections18 + 4 pt
Fire3 + 2 pt
Housing & development2
Other45 + 27 pt
519
full-time
134
part-time
$4.0M
payroll for March 2025
$47.6M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$86,600
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
112
sworn police officers
3
full-time firefighters
Compared, 2022.Colonie had 6.0 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 40 of the 54 New York towns and townships of 50,000–99,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 3.3: Colonie had more than 90% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

North Colonie Central School District

Colonie’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Colonie →
$21,609
per pupil · NY $34,607
6,109
students
$91.3 million
long-term debt

Of the $21,609 per pupil, $13,108 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 63%State 33%Federal 3%

New York districts overall: 51% local, 41% state, 8% federal.

Also serving Colonie

South Colonie Central School District · $23,641 per pupil

Menands Union Free School District · $31,148 per pupil

Rotterdam-Mohonasen Central School District · $21,000 per pupil

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

How Colonie voted in 2024

Official results for Colonie’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President45,479 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat55.3%25,131 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican42.8%19,465 votes

Others: 1.9% (883 votes).

Most votes in Colonie: Kamala D Harris

Albany County: Harris 61.9%, Trump 36.5% · New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%

Turnout
70%

of Colonie’s 65,319 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New York: 59%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate44,380 votes
Kirsten E GillibrandDemocrat59.1%
Michael D SapraiconeRepublican40.1%
Others0.8%

Most votes in Colonie: Kirsten E Gillibrand

Albany County: Gillibrand 65.3%, Sapraicone 34.0% · New York: Gillibrand 58.8%, Sapraicone 40.5%

U.S. House · New York’s 20th District363,350 votes
Paul D TonkoDemocrat61.1%
Kevin M WaltzRepublican38.8%
Others0.1%

Most votes in the district: Paul D Tonko

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Colonie, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Colonie55.3%42.8%1.9%45,479
Albany County61.9%36.5%1.7%149,677
New York55.9%43.3%0.8%8,262,600
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Colonie

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Colonie.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Officials: colonie.org ↗
  2. 2
    New York AssemblyState representatives
    Phil Steck
  3. 3
    New York SenateState senator
    Jake Ashby
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Kathy Hochul
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Paul Tonko
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New York
    Charles E. SchumerKirsten E. Gillibrand

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Colonie compares with the towns next door

Colonie spent $1,204 per resident in 2022; the 8 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $83 to $1,898. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Watervliet: $1,272 per resident (2022)Cohoes: $1,212 per resident (2022)Albany: $1,898 per resident (2022)Roessleville: unincorporated, no town budgetGuilderland: no reported 2022 figuresWaterford: $707 per resident (2022)Halfmoon: $351 per resident (2022)Green Island: $1,545 per resident (2022)Green Island: $83 per resident (2022)Clifton Park: $590 per resident (2022)WatervlietCohoesAlbanyRoesslevilleGuilderlandWaterfordHalfmoonGreen IslandGreen IslandClifton ParkColonie
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Green Island$83$3,617
Halfmoon$351$5,810
Clifton Park$590$5,793
Waterford$707$4,401
Cohoes$1,212$4,379
Watervliet$1,272$3,656
Green Island$1,545$3,617
Albany$1,898$5,091
Guilderlandestimate$6,314
Colonie$1,204$4,590

Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).

Reach Colonie’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitecolonie.org ↗

Questions about Colonie’s government

How much does Colonie spend per resident?

About $1,230 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,204 was more than 83% of 54 New York towns and townships of 50,000–99,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Colonie?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,590 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.42% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see colonie.org.

Who runs Colonie’s government?

See colonie.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Colonie yet.

How did Colonie vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 55.3%, Donald J Trump 42.8% (45,479 votes, official results). Albany County: Harris 61.9%, Trump 36.5%. New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%.

How many people work for Colonie?

519 full-time and 134 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $4.0M (about $47.6M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Colonie in the state legislature?

State Senate District 43 (Jake Ashby) and Assembly District 110 (Phil Steck). The Assembly district also covers five other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Colonie?

The next posted meeting is Sign Review Board on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:00 pm in Public Operations Center, 347 Old Niskayuna Rd, from the town’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Colonie’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →