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CITY · 2010 ACS

Reading

Pennsylvania · 88,082 residents · 9.843 sq mi
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The short version

Reading has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $28,197. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $65,500. At a median age of 28.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 44% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 28.9
US median: 37.2
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
88,082
+8%since 2000
from 81,207 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
8,949 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 8,250 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
28.9
−6%since 2000
from 30.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
77K82K87K92K97K1990201020202024Reading
202495K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,197
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,698 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,135
Unchangedsince 2000
from $13,086 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
8.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
35.0%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 26.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.426
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade24.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$65,500
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$653
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $459 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
28.0%
−23.0 ptssince 2000
from 51.0% in 2000
57.6% rent
Vacancy rate
14.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
32.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 32.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.3
+38%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Reading on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic48.1%(39,038)
Black10.8%(8,799)
Hispanic / Latino37.3%(30,302)
Asian1.5%(1,233)
Other0%
Diversity Score75%(60,887)
2010
White, non-Hispanic28.7%(25,258)
Black10%(8,774)
Hispanic / Latino58.2%(51,230)
Asian1.1%(958)
Other2.5%(2,211)
Diversity Score71.5%(63,003)
Diversity Score
72
−5%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
64.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 62.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.3 min
+66%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
57.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
20.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
7.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
8.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
26.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
9.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
15.6%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
17.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.9%
−40.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Reading

Muncie
Pop 65,466
Bloomington
Pop 83,307
Daytona Beach
Pop 88,471
Albany
Pop 66,907
Places similar to Reading
Head to head

Compare Reading to nearby cities

READING VS
Hockessin
Income$171,204+507%
Home value$568,800+768%
Population13,439−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Pike Creek Valley
Income$102,434+263%
Home value$340,300+420%
Population12,431−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Claymont
Income$74,712+165%
Home value$276,600+322%
Population8,786−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Phillipsburg
Income$68,324+142%
Home value$193,200+195%
Population15,456−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Reading, Pennsylvania?

Reading, Pennsylvania has about 88,082 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Reading, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Reading, Pennsylvania earns about $28,197 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Reading, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Reading, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $65,500, and the typical rent is about $653 a month.

How educated are people in Reading, Pennsylvania?

About 9.8% of adults age 25 and over in Reading, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Reading, Pennsylvania?

About 35.0% of people in Reading, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has Reading, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, Reading, Pennsylvania has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,702 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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