Reading city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Reading city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 94,836, the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $45,599, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Reading city is the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 94,836.
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
Reading city Quick Facts
How Reading city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Reading city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Berks County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyomissing borough | 11,100 | $88,214 | 6.0% | $326,800 |
| Shillington borough | 5,462 | $77,289 | 14.2% | $190,600 |
| Birdsboro borough | 5,090 | $74,698 | 18.1% | $216,400 |
| West Reading borough | 4,537 | $61,974 | 17.9% | $159,700 |
| Hamburg borough | 4,377 | $57,212 | 3.6% | $182,900 |
| Sinking Spring borough | 4,288 | $73,950 | 11.7% | $266,100 |
| Boyertown borough | 4,264 | $54,179 | 8.0% | $196,600 |
| Laureldale borough | 4,259 | $64,792 | 12.1% | $169,100 |
| Kutztown borough | 4,188 | $52,722 | 13.7% | $227,500 |
| Fleetwood borough | 4,045 | $94,375 | 5.5% | $216,700 |
Cities Similar to Reading city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie city | 94,156 | $43,397 | $108,200 | 22.3% | 24.6% |
| Scranton city | 76,074 | $49,531 | $141,700 | 22.8% | 22.0% |
| Allentown city | 125,320 | $53,403 | $188,900 | 19.4% | 21.6% |
| Bethlehem city | 77,069 | $66,443 | $236,500 | 35.0% | 15.8% |
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | $121,000 | 26.3% | 29.1% |
Population Overview
Reading city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Berks County. The total population is 94,836. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reading city is 31.7 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Reading city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Reading city is $45,599. This is 40% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.0%. This is 129% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 131% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $109,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Reading city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 39.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Reading city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 68.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.3%) is well below the state average of 73.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (68.6% vs 8.4%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 72.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reading city, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Reading city, Pennsylvania?
Reading city, Pennsylvania has a population of 94,836 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reading city, PA?
The median household income in Reading city is $45,599, which is 42% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Reading city, PA?
The poverty rate in Reading city is 27.0%. This means approximately 24,839 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reading city, Pennsylvania?
Reading city's population is 20.3% White, 7.8% Black, 68.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reading city, PA?
The median home value in Reading city is $109,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Reading city, Pennsylvania?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Reading city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.