Reading, PA — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Berks County · Pennsylvania
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Reading based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
94,836
2023 ACS
Median Income
$45,599
2023
Median Home Value
$109,800
2023
Median Rent
$1,018
2023
Median Age
31.7
Unemployment
12.1%
Cost of Living Index
83.5
100 = national avg
Reading is a city in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 94,836 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Reading is one of the communities in Pennsylvania.
The median household income in Reading is $45,599, and the median home value is $109,800. The cost of living index is 83.5 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,018 per month. The unemployment rate is 12.1%, and the median age is 31.7 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
94,836
Male
46,072
48.6%
Female
48,764
51.4%
Median Age
31.7
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
7.0%
High School or Higher
30.0%
Foreign Born
21.5%
Veterans
2.4%
Married
24.4%
Avg Household Size
2.8
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.264
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
30.1%
Foreign Born
21.5%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
68.6%
65,067 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
31.4%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
87,566
English Only
45.1%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
46,400 speakers
Limited English
25.9%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
74.1%
Limited English Proficiency
25.9%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
2,286
2.4% of population
Disability Rate
10.2%
232 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$37,349
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
2,192
95.9%
Female Veterans
94
4.1%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$37,349
Non-Veteran Income
$25,704
Difference
$11,645
45.3% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
232
Without Disability
2,054
Disability Rate
10.2%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
24,394
#1 Ancestry
German
7.2% (6,832)
#2 Ancestry
Italian
3.2% (2,994)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
3.0% (2,877)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
32,899
Family Households
20,851
63.4%
Married Couples
8,691
26.4%
Non-Family Households
12,048
36.6%
Single Mother Households
9,201
28.0%
Single Father Households
2,959
9.0%
Living Alone
9,746
29.6%
Children Under 18
Total Children
21,786
In Married Couple
7,072
32.5%
With Single Mother
12,831
58.9%
With Single Father
1,883
8.6%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$53,704
Married Couple Income
$67,254
Single Mother Income
$36,535
Single Father Income
$59,763
Avg Family Size
2.8
Avg Non-Family Size
2.7
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
3,658
Grandparents Responsible
987
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$45,599
-38% vs national
Per Capita Income
$21,394
-42% vs national
Poverty Rate
27.0%
+98% vs national
Gini Index
0.4630
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
12.1%
+133% vs national
SNAP Recipients
38.5%
of households
How Reading Compares
Reading vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Reading is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Reading, PA has a median household income of $45,599, making it the 23,321st highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher median household income than 17% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Reading, PA has a per capita income of $21,394, making it the 25,196th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher per capita income than 10% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Reading, PA has a poverty rate of 27.0%, making it the 3,939th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher poverty rate than 87% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Reading, PA has a unemployment rate of 12.1%, making it the 2,856th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher unemployment rate than 91% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Reading. The median household income here is $45,599.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
12.1%
+138% vs PA avg
Labor Force
43,869
Employed
38,538
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
7.0%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
30.0%
of adults 25+
Median Age
31.7
Work from Home
5.0%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Reading, PA metro area
Highest-Paying Job
General and Operations Managers
Top Median Wage
$97.2K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
83.5
100 = national avg
-16.5 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$36,748
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$86,859
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$1,237
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,575
per month
The median household income in Reading, PA is $45,599, which is 37.7% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $21,394. The poverty rate of 27.0% is higher than the PA state average of 11.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4630, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 12.1%, compared to the state average of 5.1%. The labor force is 43,869. 7.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 63.7% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 83.5, which is 16.5% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 91.9. A single adult needs to earn approximately $36,748 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$175,000
Median List Price
$190,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$122
Days on Market
25
Active Inventory
103
Months of Supply
2.1
Seller's market
Zillow Home Value
$254,464
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,344
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
28.6%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
42.2%
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.0%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
49
New Listings
64
Pending Sales
64
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$122
Median List $/SF
$128
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Reading, PA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Reading, PA metro area, home prices have risen 379.2% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 98.9%. The 10-year growth rate is 102.4%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 62.7%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 13.7%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Reading, PA housing market rather than Reading alone.
Metro area: Reading, PA
Reading vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Reading is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Reading, PA has a median home value of $109,800, making it the 20,930th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher median home value than 25% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Reading, PA has a median rent of $1,018, making it the 9,713th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher median rent than 57% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Reading, PA has a price per square foot of $122, making it the 15,294th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher price per square foot than 26% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Reading, PA has a rent burden of 26.8%, making it the 2,405th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Reading has a higher rent burden than 89% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$109,800
Median Rent
$1,018
Total Housing Units
36,289
Vacancy Rate
9.3%
Owner Occupied
39.7%
Renter Occupied
60.3%
Median Property Tax
$1,820
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$823
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,820
per year
Effective Tax Rate
1.66%
of home value
Median Home Value
$109,800
Estimated Mean Tax
$2,199
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,820) by the median home value ($109,800). In Reading, PA, this works out to an effective rate of 1.66%. This is above the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Reading, PA is $175,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 25 days on the market. 28.6% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 2.1 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $122. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,344/month. About 39.7% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1938. There are 36,289 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,820. The effective tax rate is 1.66%, above the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
3.38
per 1,000 residents
+30% vs national
Property Crime Rate
14.35
per 1,000 residents
-17% vs national
Total Crimes
1,735
2024
Violent Clearance
47%
cases solved
Property Clearance
11%
cases solved
YoY Change
-25.7%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How Reading Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Reading vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Reading is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)Reading police solve 71% of murder cases but only 7% of larceny/theft cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 7 | 0.07 | 71.4% |
| Rape | Violent | 34 | 0.35 | 11.8% |
| Robbery | Violent | 98 | 1.00 | 21.4% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 191 | 1.95 | 64.9% |
| Burglary | Property | 228 | 2.33 | 25.9% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 953 | 9.74 | 6.5% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 223 | 2.28 | 13.5% |
Reading, PA reported 331 violent crimes and 1,404 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 3.38 per 1,000 residents is 30.1% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 47% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 953 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 28.8% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 331 | 1,404 | 3.38 | 14.35 |
| 2023 | 445 | 1,656 | 4.55 | 16.93 |
| 2022 | 426 | 1,369 | 4.36 | 14.01 |
| 2020 | 501 | 1,376 | 5.67 | 15.56 |
| 2019 | 474 | 1,694 | 5.35 | 19.13 |
| 2018 | 622 | 1,984 | 7.03 | 22.43 |
| 2017 | 625 | 2,106 | 7.14 | 24.07 |
| 2016 | 597 | 2,291 | 6.80 | 26.08 |
| 2015 | 702 | 2,551 | 8.00 | 29.07 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
92.7
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
92.3
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
48.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
85.6
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
23
Public Assistance
$20.6M
Individual Assistance
$5.1M
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
7 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $18.1M | $4.5M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm → | Snowstorm | Mar 2016 | — | — |
| Hurricane Sandy → | Hurricane | Oct 2012 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Lee → | Flood | Sep 2011 | $1.8M | $329K |
| Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee → | Flood | Sep 2011 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides → | Severe Storm | Jun 2006 | — | $292K |
| Hurricane Katrina → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Tropical Depression Ivan → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding Associated Wi… → | Severe Storm | Sep 2004 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Aug 2004 | — | — |
| Snow → | Severe Storm | Mar 2003 | $638K | — |
| Tropical Storm Allison → | Severe Storm | Jun 2001 | — | — |
| Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarati… → | Hurricane | Sep 1999 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes,and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Jun 1998 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Flood | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Blizzard of 96 → | Snowstorm | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms → | Severe Storm | Mar 1994 | — | — |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm → | Snowstorm | Mar 1993 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Heavy Rains & Flooding → | Flood | Sep 1975 | — | — |
Showing 20 of 25 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
1,312
Total Claims Paid
$23,645,923
Avg Claim Payout
$18,023
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
3
Federal Funding
$500,102
Properties Protected
9
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.55
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $449,622 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $44,974 |
| 205.6: Structural Retrofitting/Rehabilitating Public Structures - Seismic | 1 | $5,506 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Reading has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are winter weather, strong wind, lightning. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 1,312 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $20,614,507 in public assistance recovery funding. $5,081,200 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 3 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
—
Depression Rate
—
Diabetes Rate
—
Uninsured Rate
—
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Reading has an obesity rate of —, which is .
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
2
Avg CMS Rating
3.5 / 5
Nearest Hospital
1.3 mi
Reading Hospital
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Hospital | 1.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Haven Behavioral Hospital Of Eastern Pennsylvania | 1.6 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Surgical Institute Of Reading | 2.6 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | — |
| Penn State Health St. Joseph | 4.2 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Tower Behavioral Health | 4.2 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
12
Pop. Served
175,161
Violations (5yr)
4
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| READING AREA WATER AUTHORITY | 95,100 | 2 |
| PAW PENN DISTRICT | 28,508 | 0 |
| MUHLENBERG TWP MUNI AUTH | 21,000 | 0 |
| SHILLINGTON MUNI AUTH | 13,300 | 2 |
| MT PENN BORO MUNI AUTH | 10,400 | 0 |
| ONTELAUNEE TOWNSHIP | 2,598 | 0 |
| BERN TWP MUNI AUTH | 1,800 | 0 |
| RAWA NORTH HEIDELBERG | 1,350 | 0 |
| CAROLINE ACRES MOBILE HOME PARK | 395 | 0 |
| WBWA MOHRSVILLE DISTRICT | 375 | 0 |
| WILL O HILL APTS | 300 | 0 |
| HARMAN SUBDIVISION | 35 | 0 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
2
Total CO₂e
1.7M MT
Top Emitter
Ontelaunee Energy Center
1.6M MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (50,000 - 100,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
Ontelaunee Energy Center Vistra Corp | Power Plants | 1,578,806 |
CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY Carpenter Technology Corp | Metals | 168,155 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 12 water systems serving the area. 4 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 2 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 1.7M metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
63.7%
-19% vs national
Public Transit
3.9%
+338% vs national
Work From Home
5.0%
-46% vs national
Carpool
15.8%
Walk / Bike
5.4%
combined
How Reading's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
6
2023
6-Year Avg
5
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
1
Nighttime
2
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Reading, PA covers travel times and transportation modes. 63.7% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 5.0% work from home, which is below the PA state average of 8.9%. Public transit is used by 3.9% of commuters, compared to the national average of 0.9%. 15.8% of workers carpool. 5.4% walk to work. In 2023, there were 6 traffic fatalities from 6 fatal crashes. 1 was a pedestrian.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
83.7%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
63.5%
of households
No Internet
13.8%
of households
Total Households
32,899
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
90.6%
of households
Smartphone
85.2%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
58.6%
of households
Tablet
48.8%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
17.8¢
per kWh
-3% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Commercial Rate
11.0¢
per kWh
-25% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Industrial Rate
7.9¢
per kWh
-29% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$145
residential
-0% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
4% above the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in Pennsylvania averages 17.8¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $145. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Reading vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (50,000 - 100,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
12
Population Served
175,161
Violations (5yr)
4
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| READING AREA WATER AUTHORITY | Community | Surface water | 95,100 | 2 |
| PAW PENN DISTRICT | Community | Ground water | 28,508 | 0 |
| MUHLENBERG TWP MUNI AUTH | Community | Ground water | 21,000 | 0 |
| SHILLINGTON MUNI AUTH | Community | Purchased surface water | 13,300 | 2 |
| MT PENN BORO MUNI AUTH | Community | Ground water | 10,400 | 0 |
| ONTELAUNEE TOWNSHIP | Community | Purchased surface water | 2,598 | 0 |
| BERN TWP MUNI AUTH | Community | Purchased surface water | 1,800 | 0 |
| RAWA NORTH HEIDELBERG | Community | Ground water | 1,350 | 0 |
| CAROLINE ACRES MOBILE HOME PARK | Community | Ground water | 395 | 0 |
| WBWA MOHRSVILLE DISTRICT | Community | Ground water | 375 | 0 |
| WILL O HILL APTS | Community | Ground water | 300 | 0 |
| HARMAN SUBDIVISION | Community | Ground water | 35 | 0 |
83.7% of households in Reading have broadband internet access. 63.5% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 17.0% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 13.8% of households have no internet access. 21.0% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 12 water systems, providing water to 175,161 people. A total of 4 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Reading is located in Berks County, PA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Reading.
Election Overview
Source: Berks County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
91,125
43.4%
GOP Votes
116,677
55.6%
Total Votes
209,838
Margin
R+12.2%
Shift from 2020
R+4.0pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 91,125 | 116,677 | 209,838 | 43.4% | 55.6% | R+12.2 |
| 2020 | 92,895 | 109,736 | 205,540 | 45.2% | 53.4% | R+8.2 |
| 2016 | 75,169 | 93,094 | 175,934 | 42.7% | 52.9% | R+10.2 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Berks County recorded 209,838 total votes. Republicans won the county with 55.6% of the vote compared to 43.4% for Democrats, a margin of R+12.2%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+4.0pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Berks County has shifted 2.0 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
496
Total Assets
$3.4B
Total Income
$1.6B
Per 10K Residents
52.3
nonprofits
+23.5% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
71
Median Assets
$408K
Oldest Active
1934
ruling year
Newest Org
2026
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $2.8B of $3.4B total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000
Largest Nonprofits in Reading
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFReading, PA has 496 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $3.4B. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 76 organizations. 71 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 52.3 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1934.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
857
Total Approved
$252.3M
Jobs Supported
7,831
Per 10K Residents
90.4
SBA loans
-19.3% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
87
Top Lender
Citizens Bank, National Association
112 loans
Top Industry
Other Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
818
Total Amount
$227.7M
Avg Loan
$278,394
Median Loan
$85,000
SBA Guaranteed
$167.3M(73%)
Jobs Supported
7,209
Loans
39
Total Amount
$24.5M
Avg Loan
$629,462
Median Loan
$453,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
132
15% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$82.2M
33% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$622,436
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm Tech Sprinkler Inc. | 4 | $8.2M |
| Enchanted Acres Farm Inc. | 4 | $6.7M |
| Evergreen Elder Care Inc. | 3 | $5.6M |
| Jsk Reading Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Sprocket's Fun Factory Llc | 1 | $4.8M |
| Honey Farm Enterprises Llc | 1 | $4.8M |
| E. R. Stuebner Inc. | 1 | $4.0M |
| 4621 Penn Avenue Llc | 1 | $3.8M |
| Radio Maintenance Inc. | 2 | $3.2M |
| Kommakle L.p. | 1 | $3.1M |
Reading, PA has received 857 SBA loans totaling $252.3M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 818 loans (95% of the total), supporting 7,209 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 39 loans totaling $24.5M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Other Services. The most active SBA lender in Reading is Citizens Bank, National Association with 112 loans. That works out to 90.4 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
20
Total Population
308,138
Avg Median Income
-$33,256,639
Avg Home Value
-$33,120,563
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19501 | 950 | $80,000 | $226,700 | $1,023 | 1.0 |
| 19508 | 15,066 | $83,409 | $242,100 | $1,108 | 40.7 |
| 19510 | 8,134 | $117,216 | $272,500 | $1,149 | 5.2 |
| 19522 | 13,926 | $95,366 | $255,300 | $1,202 | 46.6 |
| 19533 | 8,823 | $94,038 | $263,300 | $1,027 | 17.3 |
| 19535 | 51 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.8 |
| 19540 | 11,705 | $96,066 | $290,500 | $999 | 35.2 |
| 19547 | 4,558 | $89,259 | $296,500 | $1,178 | 28.5 |
| 19560 | 9,544 | $76,945 | $176,800 | $1,566 | 9.3 |
| 19565 | 8,744 | $80,881 | $262,900 | $1,283 | 18.0 |
| 19601 | 36,493 | $41,133 | $110,700 | $986 | 3.8 |
| 19602 | 18,001 | $38,179 | $73,000 | $978 | 2.0 |
| 19604 | 29,408 | $52,863 | $110,800 | $1,100 | 2.5 |
| 19605 | 20,916 | $85,775 | $218,500 | $1,310 | 17.6 |
| 19606 | 36,097 | $81,872 | $229,400 | $1,282 | 26.6 |
| 19607 | 24,332 | $80,550 | $210,800 | $1,283 | 11.2 |
| 19608 | 23,986 | $112,169 | $311,600 | $1,485 | 26.3 |
| 19609 | 10,003 | $80,748 | $222,000 | $1,307 | 2.3 |
| 19610 | 16,231 | $91,034 | $320,100 | $1,669 | 7.1 |
| 19611 | 11,170 | $56,379 | $161,900 | $1,098 | 2.0 |
Reading, PA has 20 ZIP codes with a combined population of 308,138. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$33,256,639. The average median home value is -$33,120,563. The average median monthly rent is -$33,332,182.
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