Berks County, PA

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Population

417,854

0.733% growth

Median Age

39.8


Median Household Income

$61,058

2.99% growth

Poverty Rate

13.6%


Number of Employees

203,508

0.0246% growth

Median Property Value

$173,700

0.629% decline

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Berks County, PA had a population of 418k people with a median age of 39.8 and a median household income of $61,058. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Berks County, PA grew from 414,812 to 417,854, a 0.733% increase and its median household income grew from $59,286 to $61,058, a 2.99% increase.

The population of Berks County, PA is 71.5% White Alone, 21% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.42% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Berks County, PA speak a non-English language, and 95.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Berks County, PA are Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (2,133 degrees awarded in 2016), Alvernia University (720 degrees), and Albright College (458 degrees).

The median property value in Berks County, PA is $173,700, and the homeownership rate is 72.3%. 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.

About the photo: Berks County, PA

Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli

United StatesPennsylvaniaReading, PA

Economy

The economy of Berks County, PA employs 204k people. The largest industries in Berks County, PA are Manufacturing (35,248 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (31,429 people), and Retail Trade (24,398 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($64,760), Finance & Insurance ($56,850), and Wholesale Trade ($52,098).

Median household income in Berks County, PA is $61,058. Males in Berks County, PA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $51,375. The income inequality in Berks County, PA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$61,058

2017 value

± $1,432

2.99%

1 Year Growth

± 4.96%

Households in Berks County, PA have a median annual income of $61,058, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $59,286 in 2016, which represents a 2.99% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Berks County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$68,603

Average Male Salary

± $1,096

$51,375

Average Female Salary

± $811

In 2017, 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.

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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

  1. Asian

    $62,810 ± $3,954

  2. White

    $53,208 ± $684

  3. American Indian

    $47,436 ± $11,968

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Pennsylvania workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.18 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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

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Wage Distribution

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

0.472

2017 Wage GINI

0.468

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.833% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 121.05

  2. Census Tract 119.03

  3. Census Tract 111.02

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Berks County, PA was Census Tract 121.05 with a value of $105,066, followed by Census Tract 119.03 and Census Tract 111.02, with respective values of $104,695 and $101,169.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

13.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Berks County, PA (54.8k out of 402k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    34,967 ± 1,220

  2. Hispanic

    28,210 ± 1,062

  3. Two Or More

    8,162 ± 671

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.

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

204k

2017 Value

± 7,090

0.0246%

1 Year growth

± 4.88%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Berks County, PA grew at a rate of 0.0246%, from 203k employees to 204k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Berks County, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (26,900 people), Production Occupations (23,227 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (20,474 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Berks County, PA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Berks County, PA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (26,900 people), Production Occupations (23,227 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (20,474 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berks County, PA has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.11 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.52 times), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.31 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Berks County, PA, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($72,136), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($71,365), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($70,050).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

204k

2017 Value

± 7,090

0.0246%

1 Year growth

± 4.88%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Berks County, PA grew at a rate of 0.0246%, from 203k employees to 204k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Berks County, PA, are Manufacturing (35,248 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (31,429 people), and Retail Trade (24,398 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Berks County, PA, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (35,248 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (31,429 people), and Retail Trade (24,398 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berks County, PA has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (1.79 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.37 times), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.16 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Berks County, PA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($64,760), Finance & Insurance ($56,850), and Wholesale Trade ($52,098).

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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

  1. Mixed freight

    $83B

  2. Coal-n.e.c.

    $50.6B

  3. Pharmaceuticals

    $49.7B

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.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania state.

$618B

2015 Value

$954B

Projected 2045 Value

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.

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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

  1. New York

    $61B

  2. New Jersey

    $57.7B

  3. 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).

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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 the county of Berks County, PA 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

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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Fayette County

    16% prevalence

  2. Mifflin County

    13.4% prevalence

  3. Venango County

    13.2% prevalence

Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania, at 16%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Berks County, PA is home to a population of 418k people, from which 95.6% are citizens. As of 2017, 7.07% of Berks County, PA residents were born outside of the country (29.5k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Berks County, PA is composed of 299k White Alone residents (71.5%), 88k Hispanic or Latino residents (21%), 18.5k Black or African American Alone residents (4.42%), 6.02k Asian Alone residents (1.44%), 4.93k Two or More Races residents (1.18%), 1.01k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.243%), 542 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.13%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Berks County, PA are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

40

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.7

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.8

In 2017, the median age of all people in Berks County, PA was 39.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Berks County, PA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Berks County, PA residents was 40.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

7.07%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

29.5k people

7.04%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

29.2k people

As of 2017, 7.07% of Berks County, PA residents (29.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Berks County, PA was 7.04%, 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.

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. India

    87,349 ± 7,231 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    68,083 ± 6,389 people

  3. China

    58,224 ± 5,911 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 87,349 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 68,083 and China with 58,224.

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Citizenship

95.6%

2017 Citizenship

96.4%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 95.6% of Berks County, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Berks County, PA was 96.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    299k ± 1.15k

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    88k ± 8.64k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    18.5k ± 1.32k

In 2017, there were 3.4 times more White Alone residents (299k people) in Berks County, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 88k Hispanic or Latino and 18.5k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Berks County, PA as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Berks County, PA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.8%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Berks County, PA was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Berks County, PA are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    7,993 ± 1,157

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,558 ± 707

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    2,426 ± 681

Berks County, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.12 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Berks County, PA awarded 4,741 degrees. The student population of Berks County, PA is skewed towards women, with 9,086 male students and 13,001 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Berks County, PA are White (3,410 and 72.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (545 and 11.6%), Black or African American (351 and 7.48%), and Unknown (202 and 4.3%).

The largest universities in Berks County, PA by number of degrees awarded are Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (2,133 and 45%), Alvernia University (720 and 15.2%), and Albright College (458 and 9.66%).

The most popular majors in Berks County, PA are General Business Administration & Management (547 and 11.5%), General Psychology (279 and 5.88%), and Registered Nursing (219 and 4.62%).

The median tuition costs in Berks County, PA are $36,147 for private four year colleges, and $10,553 and $19,985 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Psychology

    261 degrees awarded

  2. Criminal Justice - Safety Studies

    129 degrees awarded

  3. General Business Administration & Management

    459 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Berks County, PA was General Psychology with 261 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

    2,133 degrees awarded

  2. Alvernia University

    720 degrees awarded

  3. Albright College

    458 degrees awarded

$10,553

Median In-State Public

$36,147

Median Private

In 2016, the Berks County, PA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with 2,133 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,767

Degrees Awarded to Men

2,974

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 1,767 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Berks County, PA, which is 0.594 times less than the 2,974 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.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    3,410 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    545 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    351 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Berks County, PA were to White students. These 3,410 degrees mean that there were 6.26 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 545 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Berks County, PA was $173,700 in 2017, which is 0.798 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $174,800 to $173,700, a 0.629% decrease. The homeownership rate in Berks County, PA is 72.3%, 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.

Income

Household Income

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

$61,058

Median Household Income

± $1,432

155k

Number of Households

± 5,915

In 2017, the median household income of the 155k households in Berks County, PA grew to $61,058 from the previous year's value of $59,286.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$173,700

2017 Median

± $3,683

$174,800

2016 Median

± $4,774

In 2017, the median property value in Berks County, PA declined from to $173,700 from the previous year's value of $174,800.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

72.3%

2017 Homeownership

71.2%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 72.3% of the housing units in Berks County, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.2%.

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.

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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.

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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 (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.76% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    78%

  2. Carpooled

    10.3%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.64%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Berks County, PA was Drove Alone (78%), followed by those who Carpooled (10.3%) and those who Worked At Home (4.64%).

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.

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