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CITY

West Reading

Pennsylvania · 4,590 residents (2025 est.) · 0.594 sq mi
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The short version

West Reading has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,885. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $173,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.4
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,562
+13%since 2000
from 4,049 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,680 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 6,816 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.4
−12%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,590 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024West Reading
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,885
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,340 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$48,664
+127%since 2000
from $21,414 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.9%
+24.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.8%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.529
+39%since 2010
from 0.380 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services10.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Information9.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$173,100
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,365
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $600 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 59.4% in 2000
43.9% rent
Vacancy rate
2.4%
−16.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.0%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.5%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+38%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
53
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Reading on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.5%(3,463)
Black3.8%(155)
Hispanic / Latino7.8%(315)
Asian1.5%(62)
Other0%
Diversity Score30.1%(1,218)
2024
White, non-Hispanic54.8%(2,498)
Black2.2%(99)
Hispanic / Latino33.6%(1,535)
Asian6.2%(282)
Other3.2%(148)
Diversity Score72.7%(3,317)
Diversity Score
73
+142%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
+17.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.1%
+17.0 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.6%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+82%since 2000
from 12.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
12.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.2%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 4.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.8%
−34.8 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−36.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 14.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.8%
−85.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.6%
+19.8 ptssince 2017
from 73.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
69.4%
−15.4 ptssince 2016
from 84.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
22.8%
+9.7 ptssince 2016
from 13.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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WEST READING VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Reading, Pennsylvania?

West Reading, Pennsylvania has about 4,562 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Reading, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in West Reading, Pennsylvania earns about $65,885 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Reading, Pennsylvania expensive?

In West Reading, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $173,100, and the typical rent is about $1,365 a month.

How educated are people in West Reading, Pennsylvania?

About 32.0% of adults age 25 and over in West Reading, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Reading, Pennsylvania?

About 14.8% of people in West Reading, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Reading, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, West Reading, Pennsylvania has grown since 1990. The population has added about 453 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →