Reading, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Reading, Pennsylvania had a total population of 95,242, the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $44,091, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Reading is the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 95,242.
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.7% is notably above the national average.
Reading Quick Facts
How Reading Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,836 | 95,242 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $45,599 | $44,091 | -3.3% |
| Median home value | $109,800 | $121,300 | +10.5% |
How Reading Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Reading Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Berks County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyomissing | 11,172 | $93,203 | 7.3% | $339,900 |
| Blandon | 7,357 | $109,417 | 5.2% | $290,700 |
| Shillington | 5,492 | $79,922 | 16.7% | $203,500 |
| Pennside | 5,407 | $77,192 | 6.1% | $207,600 |
| Whitfield | 5,226 | $126,740 | 6.1% | $311,700 |
| Birdsboro | 5,116 | $86,290 | 18.1% | $224,000 |
| Lorane | 4,601 | $84,293 | 6.5% | $259,900 |
| Reiffton | 4,575 | $128,750 | 3.9% | $318,500 |
| West Reading | 4,562 | $65,885 | 14.8% | $173,100 |
| Amity Gardens | 4,499 | $95,438 | 20.0% | $335,400 |
Cities Similar to Reading
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | $115,200 | 23.1% | 23.3% |
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | $158,100 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Allentown | 125,976 | $55,494 | $206,600 | 19.1% | 21.0% |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | 36.0% | 15.7% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
Population Overview
Reading is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Berks County. The total population is 95,242. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reading is 31.9 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Reading has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Reading is $44,091. This is 43% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 145% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 13.7%. This is 161% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $121,300. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Reading is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Reading is Hispanic or Latino, making up 70.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.5%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (70.8% vs 8.7%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 72.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reading, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Reading, Pennsylvania?
Reading, Pennsylvania has a population of 95,242 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reading, PA?
The median household income in Reading is $44,091, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Reading, PA?
The poverty rate in Reading is 28.7%. This means approximately 26,512 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reading, Pennsylvania?
Reading's population is 18.5% White, 7.7% Black, 70.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reading, PA?
The median home value in Reading is $121,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Reading, Pennsylvania?
11.4% of adults (25+) in Reading hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.