City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Reading, PA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Reading - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

94,836
Residents
$45,599
Median income
$109,800
Median home
$1,575
Median rent (state)

Reading - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Reading places in the 13th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

13th
percentile, household income
13th
percentile, home value
63rd
percentile, median rent
37th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Reading, PA

94,836 people live in Reading, Pennsylvania - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Reading households earn a median of $45,599 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.1%. Home values in Reading run a median of $109,800, and the median resident age is 31.7 years. 11.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Reading (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Reading reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1771.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Reading's yearly average temperature at 53.9°F.

Pennsylvania tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Pennsylvania at 97.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,575 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Pennsylvania's average monthly utility costs around $260 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 92.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

94,836 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$45,599 /yr

Poverty 23.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Reading compare to other US cities?

Here's how Reading stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 13% higher than other cities
Home value 13% pricier than other cities
Median rent 63% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Pennsylvania and the picture shifts: Reading ranks #333 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Reading against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Pennsylvania only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Pennsylvania-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Reading's strongest outlier among Pennsylvania cities

Among the 1,856 Pennsylvania cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Reading ranks #116 - the 94th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Reading only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,593 of 1,765
10th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Gross Rent
#287 of 1,865
81st percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
#1,396 of 1,790
22nd percentile in Pennsylvania
Poverty Rate
#116 of 1,856
94th percentile in Pennsylvania
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,546 of 1,861
16th percentile in Pennsylvania

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Pennsylvania only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

13thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

13th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Reading's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Reading's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 37 Avg. percentile National median
Reading's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Reading's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$109,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 87% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Reading $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Reading, PA Reading, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Reading, PA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Reading, PA median $45,599/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Reading, PA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Reading, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
94,836
Median Income
$45,599
Median Home Value
$109,800
Median Age
31.7
Poverty Rate
23.1%
Labor force participation
54.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1771.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
337.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1434.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
32
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
94,500 residents95,000 residents95,500 residents96,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 94,960 residents 95,832 residents ▲ +0.9%
Reading's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
63.7%
Carpool
15.8%
Public Transit
3.9%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
5.0%
Other
6.2%

Based on 37,224 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Pennsylvania - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$88
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$52
avg/month
Total Utilities
$260
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Pennsylvania state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Pennsylvania state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Reading sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,575/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Erie
94,156 people
Bethlehem
77,069 people
Scranton
76,074 people
Allentown
125,320 people
Lancaster
57,683 people
Levittown
50,930 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Reading's 94,836 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sandy, UT
94,723 people
Asheville, NC
94,369 people
Palm Coast, FL
94,362 people
Tracy, CA
95,358 people
Lawrence, KS
95,459 people
San Marcos, CA
94,078 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Reading's $45,599 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Conley, GA
$45,598 median income
Waverly, TN
$45,600 median income
New Paris, OH
$45,592 median income
Milan, TN
$45,608 median income
Lakeview Estates, GA
$45,589 median income
Planada, CA
$45,588 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Reading, PA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Reading, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 30.1% 10.0% 27.3% 29.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 68.6% White 30.1% Black or African American 10.0% Asian 1.0% American Indian 1.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 27.3% Two or more races 29.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Reading compares to nearby Pennsylvania cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Reading (this city) 94,836 $45,599
Erie 94,156 $43,397
Bethlehem 77,069 $66,443
Scranton 76,074 $49,531
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Reading, PA?

What is the population of Reading, PA? +

The population of Reading, PA stands at 94,836 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Reading, PA? +

In Reading, the typical household earns $45,599 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Reading? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Reading; the closest available measure is the Pennsylvania state average, a cost of living index of 97.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Pennsylvania vary by metro area.

Is Reading, PA safe? +

Reading has a total crime rate of 1771.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Reading, PA? +

Reading's median home value sits at $109,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Reading? +

The average annual temperature in Reading runs 53.9°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.