West Reading, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Reading, Pennsylvania had a total population of 4,562, the 306th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $65,885, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
West Reading Quick Facts
How West 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 | 4,537 | 4,562 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $61,974 | $65,885 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $159,700 | $173,100 | +8.4% |
How West 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
West Reading Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Berks County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | 28.7% | $121,300 |
| 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 |
| Amity Gardens | 4,499 | $95,438 | 20.0% | $335,400 |
Cities Similar to West Reading
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jessup | 4,495 | $64,844 | $169,300 | 30.1% | 18.1% |
| Hummelstown | 4,527 | $63,175 | $245,100 | 45.8% | 11.8% |
| West Pittston | 4,679 | $63,706 | $179,100 | 37.5% | 13.4% |
| Sugarcreek | 4,716 | $63,987 | $108,200 | 15.9% | 9.9% |
| Jim Thorpe | 4,540 | $72,904 | $209,800 | 27.1% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
West Reading is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Berks County. The total population is 4,562. It ranks as the 306th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Reading is 35.4 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Reading is $65,885. This is 16% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $173,100. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, West Reading is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Reading is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.7%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (33.7% vs 8.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.2% vs 3.8%).
Education
31.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 90.1%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West Reading, Pennsylvania?
West Reading, Pennsylvania has a population of 4,562 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Reading, PA?
The median household income in West Reading is $65,885, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Reading, PA?
The poverty rate in West Reading is 14.8%. This means approximately 640 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Reading, Pennsylvania?
West Reading's population is 54.8% White, 2.2% Black, 33.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Reading, PA?
The median home value in West Reading is $173,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is West Reading, Pennsylvania?
31.9% of adults (25+) in West Reading hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.