ZIP Code 12196 — West Sand Lake CDP, NY Demographics & Data

ZIP code 12196 covers West Sand Lake, NY in Rensselaer County with a population of about 3,848.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 42.8 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area codes 518, 838; U.S. House district NY-19; the ALBANY - SCHENECTADY - TROY media market.

Median household income in ZIP 12196 is about $126,825 — about 69% above the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 3.8%; unemployment rate near 4.3%; 42.7% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 9.0 points above the national share (33.7%)).

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Transportation; about 12.4% of workers reporting work-from-home (about 2.8 points below the U.S. share (15.2%)); a mean commute of about 180.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $338,400 — about 3% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show median gross rent around $952 (about 18% below the U.S. median rent ($1,163)), and owner-occupancy near 91.3% (about 25.9 points above the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 12196 in West Sand Lake, NY, a household would need roughly $93,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $2,174. That sits below the local median household income ($126,825), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates natural-hazard risk for West Sand Lake CDP, NY as Relatively Moderate (composite score 82.2), which is elevated versus much of the country. The strongest component scores on US5 are flood (89.0) and hurricane (79.4). These scores are county-linked NRI values published for planning context — all ZIP codes in the same county share the same composite score on US5. Useful when comparing insurance and disaster exposure across areas, not a substitute for a parcel-level flood or fire determination.

Climate normals for West Sand Lake CDP, NY show little to no average snow and around 42.1 inches of annual precipitation.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 166 for ZIP 12196 (West Sand Lake CDP, NY) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.