The Greater Capital Region has numerous strengths, including a vibrant technology economy, relatively low rates of poverty and high incomes, and the stability that comes from being the home of state government. The region's schools are generally outperforming the state, and violent crime is lower than the state or national levels. Unlike much of Upstate, the region has added population, growing 3% from 2000 to 2007.

But the region's benefits are not enjoyed by all its residents, and the numbers in some areas call for a closer look and a community discussion. Poverty is much higher among racial and ethnic minorities; nearly a third of the region's children are growing up in single-parent households; and rates of child abuse, foster care admissions and juvenile delinquency intakes are higher than state levels.