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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Reading

Pennsylvania · 4,553 residents · 0.594 sq mi
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The short version

West Reading has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,000. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $122,400. The poverty rate of 27.1% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% 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
4,553
+12%since 2000
from 4,049 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
7,665 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 6,816 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.9
−8%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024West Reading
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,000
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,340 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,982
+96%since 2000
from $21,414 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.3%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.1%
+17.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10%
Information7.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$122,400
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$982
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $600 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.4%
−11.0 ptssince 2000
from 59.4% in 2000
51.6% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+31%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic59.8%(2,722)
Black7%(320)
Hispanic / Latino25.9%(1,181)
Asian2.1%(95)
Other3.9%(179)
Diversity Score69.7%(3,173)
Diversity Score
70
+132%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.9%
+19.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.3%
+17.3 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.9%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+87%since 2000
from 12.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.7%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 4.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.7%
−8.7 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.1%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Female
55.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.9%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.6%
−87.5 ptssince 2013
from 91.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare West Reading to nearby cities

WEST READING VS
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Income$171,204+249%
Home value$568,800+365%
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WEST READING VS
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WEST READING VS
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Home value$276,600+126%
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WEST READING VS
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Home value$382,500+213%
Population30,359+561%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Reading, Pennsylvania?

West Reading, Pennsylvania has about 4,553 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Reading, Pennsylvania earns about $49,000 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 $122,400, and the typical rent is about $982 a month.

How educated are people in West Reading, Pennsylvania?

About 33.9% 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 27.1% 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 444 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

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