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CITY · 2020 ACS

Reading

Pennsylvania · 95,112 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 $35,745. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $79,500. At a median age of 31.4, 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: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
95,112
+17%since 2000
from 81,207 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
9,663 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 8,250 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.4
+3%since 2000
from 30.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
77K82K87K92K97K1990201020202024Reading
202495K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,745
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,698 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,150
+31%since 2000
from $13,086 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
30.9%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 26.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.9%
US avg: 10%
Information11.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$79,500
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$817
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $459 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
38.5%
−12.5 ptssince 2000
from 51.0% in 2000
61.5% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+32%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic18.9%(17,999)
Black8.5%(8,125)
Hispanic / Latino69%(65,591)
Asian0.8%(726)
Other2.7%(2,523)
Diversity Score59.9%(56,940)
Diversity Score
60
−20%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
70.1%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 62.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+73%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
59.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
25.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.4%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 18.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
18.0%
−36.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
18.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.8%
−70.6 ptssince 2013
from 80.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Reading

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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+379%
Home value$568,800+615%
Population13,439−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Pike Creek Valley
Income$102,434+187%
Home value$340,300+328%
Population12,431−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Claymont
Income$74,712+109%
Home value$276,600+248%
Population8,786−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Phillipsburg
Income$68,324+91%
Home value$193,200+143%
Population15,456−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Reading, Pennsylvania?

Reading, Pennsylvania has about 95,112 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Reading, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Reading, Pennsylvania earns about $35,745 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 $79,500, and the typical rent is about $817 a month.

How educated are people in Reading, Pennsylvania?

About 10.1% 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 30.9% 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 16,732 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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

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