Berks County, PA

County

Add Comparison

Population

420,152

0.55% 1-year growth

US Senator

Bob Casey Jr.

Democratic Party

US Senator

Pat Toomey

Republican Party

Median Age

40.2

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Household Income

$62,564

2.47% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$186,000

7.08% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

209,400

2.9% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Berks County, PA had a population of 420k people with a median age of 40.2 and a median household income of $62,564. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Berks County, PA grew from 417,854 to 420,152, a 0.55% increase and its median household income grew from $61,058 to $62,564, a 2.47% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Berks County, PA are White (Non-Hispanic) (70.8%), White (Hispanic) (12.3%), Other (Hispanic) (7.01%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.18%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.73%). NaNk% of the people in Berks County, PA speak a non-English language, and 96.2% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Berks County, PA are Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (1,983 degrees awarded in 2017), Alvernia University (708 degrees), and Albright College (572 degrees).

The median property value in Berks County, PA is $186,000, and the homeownership rate is 71.3%. Most people in Berks County, PA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 24.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Berks County, PA is 2 cars per household.

Berks County, PA borders Lebanon County, PA, Schuylkill County, PA, Lancaster County, PA, Lehigh County, PA, Montgomery County, PA, and Chester County, PA.

About the photo: Berks County, PA

Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli

United States Pennsylvania Reading, PA

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Pennsylvania. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Pennsylvania, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Pennsylvania across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Berks County, PA went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (42.8%), followed by Other (4.37%). The most partisan county was Fulton County, PA with 84.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 18 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (42.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (4.37%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (42.8%), followed by Other (4.37%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Pennsylvania.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Berks County, PA

52.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Pennsylvania

Fulton County, PA
84.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Bedford County, PA
82.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Philadelphia County, PA
82.5% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Pennsylvania was Fulton County, PA with 84.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Pennsylvania colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Bob Casey Jr.

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Pat Toomey

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Pennsylvania over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 18 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Pennsylvania have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Berks County, PA is home to a population of 420k people, from which 96.2% are citizens. As of 2018, 7.4% of Berks County, PA residents were born outside of the country (31.1k people).

In 2018, there were 5.77 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (298k people) in Berks County, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 51.6k White (Hispanic) and 29.5k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Berks County, PA

White (Non-Hispanic)
298k ± 199
White (Hispanic)
51.6k ± 4.13k
Other (Hispanic)
29.5k ± 4.25k

21.9%

Hispanic Population

92.2k people

21.9% of the people in Berks County, PA are hispanic (92.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Berks County, PA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

7.4%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

31.1k people

7.07%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

29.5k people

As of 2018, 7.4% of Berks County, PA residents (31.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Berks County, PA was 7.07%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Berks County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.7

In 2018, the median age of all people in Berks County, PA was 40.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Berks County, PA are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Berks County, PA residents was 40.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

India
94,480 ± 7,519 people
Dominican Republic
85,267 ± 7,145 people
China
68,580 ± 6,412 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 94,480 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 85,267 and China with 68,580.

Citizenship

96.2%

2018 Citizenship

95.6%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 96.2% of Berks County, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Berks County, PA was 95.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Berks County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
8,411 ± 1,219
Gulf War (1990s)
3,340 ± 925
Korea
2,783 ± 643

Berks County, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.52 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Berks County, PA is $62,564. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Berks County, PA was Census Tract 119.03 with a value of $107,813, followed by Census Tract 111.02 and Census Tract 121.05, with respective values of $106,509 and $100,134.

Males in Pennsylvania have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,119. The income inequality in Pennsylvania (measured using the Gini index) is 0.469, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Berks County, PA employs 209k people. The largest industries in Berks County, PA are Manufacturing (37,530 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (29,440 people), and Retail Trade (26,079 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($70,278), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($62,806), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,337).

Wages

Median Household Income

$62,564

2018 value

± $1,967

2.47%

1 Year Growth

± 3.83%

Households in Berks County, PA have a median annual income of $62,564, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $61,058 in 2017, which represents a 2.47% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Berks County, PA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

$69,779

Average Male Salary in Pennsylvania

± $1,106

$52,119

Average Female Salary in Pennsylvania

± $786

In 2018, full-time male employees in Pennsylvania made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Pennsylvania

Asian
$67,044 ± $4,236
White
$54,569 ± $688
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$45,677 ± $16,041

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Pennsylvania workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.23 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Pennsylvania.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Berks County, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.469

2018 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.472

2017 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2018, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.469 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.472% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 119.03
Census Tract 111.02
Census Tract 121.05

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Berks County, PA was Census Tract 119.03 with a value of $107,813, followed by Census Tract 111.02 and Census Tract 121.05, with respective values of $106,509 and $100,134.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Berks County, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Berks County, PA (51.7k out of 404k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 6 - 11.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
32,620 ± 1,262
Hispanic
26,746 ± 1,081
Two Or More
8,067 ± 718

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Berks County, PA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

209k

2018 Value

± 7,141

2.9%

1 Year growth

± 4.74%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Berks County, PA grew at a rate of 2.9%, from 204k employees to 209k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Berks County, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (22,329 people), Production Occupations (20,854 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (19,242 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Berks County, PA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Berks County, PA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (22,329 people), Production Occupations (20,854 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (19,242 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berks County, PA has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (1.82 times higher than expected), Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (1.76 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.56 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Berks County, PA, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($77,066), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($75,090), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($72,213).

Industries

Employment by Industries

209k

2018 Value

± 7,141

2.9%

1 Year growth

± 4.74%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Berks County, PA grew at a rate of 2.9%, from 204k employees to 209k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Berks County, PA, are Manufacturing (37,530 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (29,440 people), and Retail Trade (26,079 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Berks County, PA, though some of these residents may live in Berks County, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Berks County, PA, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (37,530 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (29,440 people), and Retail Trade (26,079 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berks County, PA has an unusually high number of Utilities (1.92 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.84 times), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.82 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Berks County, PA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($70,278), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($62,806), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,337).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $83B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($50.6B) and Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$618B

2015 Value in Pennsylvania

$954B

Projected 2045 Value in Pennsylvania

54.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $618B. This is expected to increase 54.4% to $954B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$61B
New Jersey
$57.7B
Ohio
$33.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $61B, followed by New Jersey with $57.7B and Ohio and $33.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Berks County, PA awarded 4,887 degrees. The student population of Berks County, PA is skewed towards women, with 8,852 male students and 12,501 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Berks County, PA are White (3,380 and 69.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (627 and 13%), Black or African American (426 and 8.8%), and Unknown (190 and 3.93%).

The largest universities in Berks County, PA by number of degrees awarded are Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (1,983 and 40.6%), Alvernia University (708 and 14.5%), and Albright College (572 and 11.7%).

The most popular majors in Berks County, PA are General Business Administration & Management (551 and 11.3%), General Psychology (242 and 4.95%), and Registered Nursing (214 and 4.38%).

The median tuition costs in Berks County, PA are $37,622 for private four year colleges, and $10,853 and $16,977 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
224 degree-majorss awarded
General Communication
150 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
463 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Berks County, PA was General Psychology with 224 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Berks County, PA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
1,983 degrees awarded
Alvernia University
708 degrees awarded
Albright College
572 degrees awarded

$10,853

Median In-State Public

$37,622

Median Private

In 2017, the Berks County, PA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with 1,983 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,840

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,047

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1,840 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Berks County, PA, which is 0.604 times less than the 3,047 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Berks County, PA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,380 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
627 degrees awarded
Black or African American
426 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Berks County, PA were to White students. These 3,380 degrees mean that there were 5.39 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 627 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Berks County, PA was $186,000 in 2018, which is 0.81 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $173,700 to $186,000, a 7.08% increase. The homeownership rate in Berks County, PA is 71.3%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Berks County, PA have an average commute time of 24.2 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Berks County, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$186,000

2018 Median

± $5,822

$173,700

2017 Median

± $3,683

In 2018, the median property value in Berks County, PA grew to to $186,000 from the previous year's value of $173,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Berks County, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berks County, PA the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,564

Median Household Income

± $1,967

157k

Number of Households

± 6,039

In 2018, the median household income of the 157k households in Berks County, PA grew to $62,564 from the previous year's value of $61,058.

The following chart displays the households in Berks County, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Berks County, PA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berks County, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

71.3%

2018 Homeownership

72.3%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 71.3% of the housing units in Berks County, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 72.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Berks County, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

24.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Berks County, PA have a shorter commute time (24.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.3% of the workforce in Berks County, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Berks County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
79.2%
Carpooled
9.56%
Worked At Home
4.29%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Berks County, PA was Drove Alone (79.2%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.56%) and those who Worked At Home (4.29%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Berks County, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Berks County, PA have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

94.2% of the population of Berks County, PA has health coverage, with 51.1% on employee plans, 18% on Medicaid, 12.8% on Medicare, 11.3% on non-group plans, and 0.873% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Pennsylvania was $9,258 in 2014. This is a 4.29% increase from the previous year ($8,877).

Primary care physicians in Berks County, PA see 1510 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.14% increase from the previous year (1493 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1869 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 843 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16%). Additionally, Clearfield County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,510 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Berks County, PA

Primary care physicians in Berks County, PA see an average of 1,510 patients per year. This represents a 1.14% increase from the previous year (1,493 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Berks County, PA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$9,258

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Pennsylvania

$4,634

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,407

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,243

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Pennsylvania (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.29%, from $8,877 to $9,258.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.83%

Uninsured

51.1%

Employer Coverage

18%

Medicaid

12.8%

Medicare

11.3%

Non-Group

0.873%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Berks County, PA declined by 6.47% from 6.24% to 5.83%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Berks County, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.