Reading, PA

Census Place

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2024 Population
95,242
US Senator
John Fetterman
Democratic Party
US Senator
Dave McCormick
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
31.9
0.631% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
28.7%
6.3% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$44,091
3.31% 1-year decline
2024 Median Property Value
$121,300
10.5% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
38,505
0.0856% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Reading, PA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

84% of the residents in Reading, PA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Reading, PA are Alvernia University (696 degrees awarded in 2023), Reading Area Community College (496 degrees), and Albright College (313 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Reading, PA was $121,300, and the homeownership rate was 40.6%.

Most people in Reading, PA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Reading, PA was 1 car per household.

About the photo: The Pagoda, Reading, PA
Photo by Jack
United StatesPennsylvaniaBerks County, PAReading, PABerks County (Northwest)--Wyomissing Borough PUMA, PABerks County (Southwest)--Reading City PUMA, PA

Population & Diversity

Reading, PA is home to a population of 95.2k people, from which 84% are citizens. As of 2024, 25.4% of Reading, PA residents were born outside of the country (24.2k people).

In 2024, there were 1.07 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (23.1k people) in Reading, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 21.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 17.6k White (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

84%
2024 Citizenship
87.4%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 84% of Reading, PA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Reading, PA was 87.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Reading, PA
  1. Other (Hispanic)
    23.1k ± 2.19k
  2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    21.6k ± 2.14k
  3. White (Non-Hispanic)
    17.6k ± 1.33k
70.8%
Hispanic Population
67.4k people

In 2024, there were 1.07 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (23.1k people) in Reading, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 21.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 17.6k White (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

70.8% of the people in Reading, PA are hispanic (67.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Reading, PA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.
Most Common Origin
  1. India
    99,504 ± 7,715 people
  2. Dominican Republic
    93,569 ± 7,483 people
  3. China
    70,789 ± 6,514 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 99,504 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 93,569 and China with 70,789.

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Foreign-Born Population

25.4%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
24.2k people
21.4%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
20.3k people

As of 2024, 25.4% of Reading, PA residents (24.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Reading, PA was 21.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    543 ± 196
  2. Vietnam
    498 ± 151
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    312 ± 163

Reading, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.09 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Reading, PA.

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Economy

The economy of Reading, PA employs 38.5k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Reading, PA were Manufacturing (8,043 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,678 people), and Retail Trade (4,202 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($66,875), Public Administration ($54,815), and Finance & Insurance ($47,129).

Employment

Occupations

38.5k
2024 Value
± 1,810
−0.0856%
1 Year decline
± 6.47%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Reading, PA declined at a rate of −0.0856%, from 38.5k employees to 38.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Reading, PA, are Production Occupations (6,822 people), Material Moving Occupations (4,590 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,789 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Reading, PA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

38.5k
2024 Value
± 1,810
−0.0856%
1 Year decline
± 6.47%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Reading, PA declined at a rate of −0.0856%, from 38.5k employees to 38.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Reading, PA, are Manufacturing (8,043 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,678 people), and Retail Trade (4,202 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Reading, PA, though some of these residents may live in Reading, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$37,884
Median earning men ± $2,110
$31,015
Median earning women ± $1,126

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($54,209), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,910), and Manufacturing ($45,518).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($60,648), Public Administration ($57,675), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,534).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.
Y-Axis
2.78%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 6.03M people employed in Pennsylvania. This represents a 2.78% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 18.1%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Pennsylvania.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 50.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.491%).

John Fetterman and Dave McCormick 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 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Reading, PA. Showing the available data for Pennsylvania.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (50.4%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (48.7%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Jill Stein (0.491%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 50.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.491%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.
John Fetterman
Senator from Pennsylvania3
Assumed office on January 3, 2023
Dave McCormick
Senator from Pennsylvania1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

John Fetterman and Dave McCormick 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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Reading, PA awarded 1,778 degrees. The student population of Reading, PA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 3,277 male students and 6,036 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Reading, PA are White (1,045 and 59.1%), Hispanic or Latino (353 and 20%), Black or African American (219 and 12.4%), and Two or More Races (82 and 4.64%).

The largest universities in Reading, PA by number of degrees awarded are Alvernia University (696 and 39.1%), Reading Area Community College (496 and 27.9%), and Albright College (313 and 17.6%).

The most popular majors in Reading, PA are General Business Administration & Management (154 and 8.66%), Registered Nursing (147 and 8.27%), and General Health Services (135 and 7.59%).

The median tuition cost in Reading, PA for private four year colleges is $34,310.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Reading, PA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 73.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 9.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 9,313 (35.2% men and 64.8% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 9,313 students enrolled in Reading, PA, 35.2% men and 64.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,620 records, of which 64.4% were women and 35.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Business Administration & Management
    78 degrees awarded
  2. Registered Nursing
    59 degrees awarded
  3. General Health Services
    49 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Reading, PA was General Business Administration & Management with 78 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Alvernia University
    696 degrees awarded
  2. Reading Area Community College
    496 degrees awarded
  3. Albright College
    313 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Alvernia University with 696 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 562 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Reading, PA, which is 0.462 times less than the 1,216 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,045 degrees mean that there were 2.96 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 353 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($34,310) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 2-year ($2,628) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,800) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Reading, PA was $121,300 in 2024, which is 0.365 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $109,800 to $121,300, a 10.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Reading, PA is 40.6%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Reading, PA have an average commute time of 24.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Reading, PA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Housing

Property

$121,300
Median Property Value 2024
±$5,310
$13,474
Median Property Taxes
±$983

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Reading, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Reading, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

40.6%
Homeownership
2024
63.9%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 40.6% of the housing units in Reading, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 39.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Reading, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$44,091
Median Household Income
± $3,478
33.2k
Number of Households
± 1,602

In 2024, the median household income of the 33.2k households in Reading, PA declined from $44,091 from the previous year's value of $45,599.

The following chart displays the households in Reading, 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 < $10k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Reading, PA is from Pennsylvania.
0.463
2023 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania
0.466
2022 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2023, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.564% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (61.6%)
  2. Carpooled (18.1%)
  3. Worked At Home (6.43%)

In 2024, 61.6% of workers in Reading, PA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (18.1%) and those who worked at home (6.43%).

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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Commute Time

24.1 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Reading, PA have a shorter commute time (24.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.28% of the workforce in Reading, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Car Ownership

1 car
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Reading, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Reading, PA have 1 car.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

28.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Reading, PA (26.5k out of 92.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 6 - 11.

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

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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Health

85.3% of the population of Reading, PA has health coverage, with 27% on employee plans, 43.8% on Medicaid, 6.73% on Medicare, 7.23% on non-group plans, and 0.497% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see 1,265 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,265 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1400 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 345 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 30.4% under 18 years, 24% between 18 and 34 years, 35.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

14.7%
Uninsured
27%
Employer Coverage
43.8%
Medicaid
6.73%
Medicare
7.23%
Non-Group
0.497%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Reading, PA grew by 19.7% from 12.3% to 14.7%.

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

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