Reading, Pennsylvania

Reading: The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania. It is located on the Schuylkill River in eastern Pennsylvania. Reading is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Reading Public Museum and the Reading Central Railroad.

About

Reading is a city located in the county of Berks in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Its population at the 2010 census was 88,082 and a population density of 3,357 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 88,217 inhabitants.

The city was created 276 years ago in 1747.

Reading is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia. It was founded in 1748 and grew as a major railroad and manufacturing hub in the 19th century.

Key Facts About Reading

Population: Approximately 88,000 as of 2019

Economy: Major employers in Reading include Penske Truck Leasing, Carpenter Technology, and Reading Health System. Manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation are key industries.

Geography: Reading lies along the Schuylkill River in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country region. It encompasses 10 square miles of land area.

Things to Do in Reading

Some top attractions and activities in the Reading area include:

  • Reading Public Museum - Museum with exhibits covering science, industry, anthropology and local history.
  • Pagoda - Iconic 7-story pagoda overlooking the city with views from the top.
  • Reading Fightin Phils - Minor league baseball team playing at FirstEnergy Stadium.
  • Reading Terminal Market - Historic farmer's market with over 80 vendors selling produce, meats, baked goods and more.
  • GoggleWorks Center for the Arts - Creative arts center located in a former factory, featuring studios, galleries and workshops.

In summary, Reading is an industrial Pennsylvania city with a revitalized downtown focused on the arts, culture, sports and the Schuylkill River heritage.

Reading locator map
Location of Reading on Pennsylvania map.

Quick Facts about Reading

Population : 88,217 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Pennsylvania (United States)
County : Berks County
Area : 26.24 km2
Official name : Reading
Official language : English
Altitude : 305 feet / 93 meters
Capital city : Reading is capital of Berks County
Establishment : January 01, 1748 (276 years ago)
Time Zone : Eastern Time Zone
Local time : 00:53:10 (19th March 2024)
Postal code : 19601
Density : 3,363 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 0.15% (2010-2020)
Reading Pennsylvania image
Reading Pennsylvania
Reading Pennsylvania image

Geography

Reading is located at 40°20'8"N 75°55'37"W (40.3356500, -75.9268700).

Reading map

Demographics

The population of Reading increased by 0.15% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 88,082 - census
2011 88,195 0.13% estimation process
2012 88,141 -0.06% estimation process
2013 88,264 0.14% estimation process
2014 88,171 -0.11% estimation process
2015 88,047 -0.14% estimation process
2016 88,128 0.09% estimation process
2017 88,134 0.01% estimation process
2018 88,542 0.46% estimation process
2019 88,375 -0.19% estimation process
2020 88,217 -0.18% estimation process

Demographic Facts

Estimated population as of July 1, 2019 : 26,947
Based on demographic estimates as of April 1, 2010 : 25,643
Based on demographic estimates as of 1 April 2010 : 5.1%
April 1, 2020 Population : 25,441
April 1, 2010 Population : 25,719
People under 5 years old, percentage : 5.9%
People under 18 years old, percentage : 23.2%
People over 65 (%) : 17.9%
Female persons, % : 51.2%
White only, percent : 83.0%
Black or African American alone, percent : 11.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native only, % : 0.3%
Asians alone % : 0.2%
Only Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, % : 0.2%
% of people who have participated in two or more races : 4.0%
% of Hispanic or Latino : 1.8%
White people, not Hispanic or Latino people, make up the majority of the population. : 81.9%
2015-2019 Veterans : 1,965
Percentage of foreign-born people, 2015-2019 : 1.3%
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 58.7%

Reading zip code is 19601. County name: Berks, County fips: 42011

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Economic Facts

Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 58.7%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $100,500
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $1,028
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $397
2015-2019 median gross rent : $757
2015-2019 Households : 10,909
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.34
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 84.6%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 2.6%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 87.3%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 81.1%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 88.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 18.5%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 15.7%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 5.1%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 58.4%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 55.1%
Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : 42,727
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 142,171
Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : 100,117
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 331,689
2012 total retail sales per capita : $12,785
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 22.7
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $45,812
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $24,297
Percentage of people living in poverty : 20.0%
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 1,595
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,006
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 473
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 149
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,355
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 286
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,175
2010 population per square mile : 1,936.5
2010 land area in square miles : 13.28

Best Things to Do in Reading

1 Reading Pagoda

Rating: 4.6 (2828)

98 Duryea Dr, Reading, PA 19602, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ 🔗 Url

Reading Pagoda

2 Museum Arboretum

Rating: 4.7 (1137)

1218 Parkside Dr S, Reading, PA 19611, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16103715850 🔗 Url

Museum Arboretum

3 Gring's Mill Recreation Area

Rating: 4.7 (750)

2083 Tulpehocken Rd, Reading, PA 19610, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16103728939 🔗 Url

Gring's Mill Recreation Area

4 GoggleWorks Center for the Arts

Rating: 4.6 (674)

201 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16103744600 🔗 Url

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts

5 Mid Atlantic Air Museum

Rating: 4.8 (672)

1054 Arnold Rd, Reading, PA 19605, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16103727333 🔗 Url

Mid Atlantic Air Museum

Where ot Eat in Reading

1 Chipotle Mexican Grill

Rating: 4.1 (628)

2733 Papermill Rd Ste X5, Reading, PA 19610, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14847721022 🔗 Url

Chipotle Mexican Grill

2 Dunkin'

Rating: 4.2 (560)

1905 N 5th St, Reading, PA 19605, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16103763515 🔗 Url

Dunkin'

3 KFC

Rating: 3 (517)

241 Lancaster Pike West, Reading, PA 19607, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16107773599 🔗 Url

KFC

4 Friendly's

Rating: 4.2 (490)

1535 Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA 19607, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +16107771980 🔗 Url

Friendly's

5 Dunkin'

Rating: 4.1 (458)

645 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14843342509 🔗 Url

Dunkin'

Other Places in Reading

1 City of Reading

Rating: 3.3 (24)

815 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18777273234 🔗 Url

City of Reading

2 Reading City Council

Rating: 5 (1)

815 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601 ➦ Show Map

☎ +16106556205 🔗 Url

3 Reading City Clerk

Rating: 5 (1)

815 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601 ➦ Show Map

☎ +16106556204 🔗 Url

4 City Hall

Rating: 5 (1)

107 N 8th St, Reading, PA 19601 ➦ Show Map

☎ 🔗 Url

5 CITY HALL

Rating: 5 (1)

815 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18777273234 🔗 Url

People born in Reading (200)

People born in Reading, including novelist, poet, short story writer, art critic, and literary critic John Updike, poet Wallace Stevens, racecar driver Ernie McCoy, .

List

  • Meg Foster (American actress) she was born in 10/05/1948
  • Ray Dennis Steckler (actor, director, producer, cinematographer (1938-2009)) he was born in 25/01/1938
  • Roy Smeck (American virtuoso guitarist, banjoist and ukulele player) he was born in 06/02/1900
  • Chad Hurley (American businessman, co-founder of YouTube) he was born in 24/01/1977
  • Allison Baver (Short-track speed skater) she was born in 11/08/1980
  • Megan Gallagher (American actress) she was born in 06/02/1960
  • Keith Haring (American artist and social activist (1958-1990)) he was born in 04/05/1958
  • Richie Kotzen (American guitarist, singer, and songwriter) he was born in 03/02/1970
  • Stu Jackson (American basketball player, coach, executive) he was born in 11/12/1955
  • Charles M. Rick (American scientist (1915-2002)) he was born in 30/04/1915
  • Arthur Schutt (American pianist) he was born in 21/11/1902
  • John Barrasso (United States Senator from Wyoming) he was born in 21/07/1952
  • Betsy King (professional golfer) she was born in 13/08/1955
  • Lenny Moore (Player of American football) he was born in 25/11/1933
  • Kristy Kowal (American swimmer, Olympic silver medalist, world champion, former world record-holder) she was born in 09/10/1978
  • Corey Hertzog (American soccer player) he was born in 01/08/1990
  • Danny Seo (American environmentalist) he was born in 22/04/1977
  • Coit Albertson (silent film actor (1880-1953)) he was born in 14/10/1880

Schools in Reading

College & universities near Reading, PA

Code Name City ZIP
215585 Reading Area Community College Reading (PA) 19602
490258 American Barber Academy Reading (PA) 19611-2040
215594 Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences Reading (PA) 19611
210571 Albright College Reading (PA) 19612-5234
210775 Alvernia University Reading (PA) 19607-1799

Stations (25)

Amtrak & bus stations near Reading, PA

Code Name Address Type
COT Coatesville Third Ave. and Fleetwood St. RAIL
DOW Downingtown West Lancaster Ave. and Stuart Ave. RAIL
PAR Parkesburg W. First and S. Culvert Streets RAIL
EXT Exton 425 Walkertown Road RAIL
LNC Lancaster station 53 McGovern Avenue RAIL

Post offices near Reading

Post Office Name City ZIP
Downtown Reading Post Office Reading (PA) 19601
Wyomissing Post Office Reading (PA) 19610
Reading Post Office Reading (PA) 19612
Shillington Post Office Reading (PA) 19607
Reading Station Post Office Reading (PA) 19606

Other places with the same name (6)

Other cities in Berks County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Berks County , PA. (more)

City Name Population Title
Muhlenberg 20,331 Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg 13,749 Town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Wyomissing 10,605 City in Pennsylvania, United States of America
Maxatawny 7,202 Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Longswamp 5,777 Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Shillington 5,300 Village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, UK
Colebrookdale 5,136 Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Birdsboro 5,128 Borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Kutztown 5,070 City in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Whitfield 4,733 Town in Pennsylvania, USA
Hamburg 4,445 Borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
West Reading 4,294 Borough in Pennsylvania, United States
Lorane 4,236 Census designated place
Reiffton 4,178 Census designated place
Sinking Spring 4,095 Borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Fleetwood 4,095 Borough of Pennsylvania

Distance to Other Cities

Reading distances to largest Pennsylvania cities