At a Glance
Median Income
$45,599
$21,394 per capita
Home Value
$109,800
Zillow: $267,494
Median Rent
$1,018/mo
32.7% of income on rent
Violent Crime
338/100K
1,447/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
11.7%
72.7% high school+
Unemployment
12.1%
23.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.8%
26.6% smoking rate
How Reading Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Reading's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Reading a Good Place to Live?
C
2.4 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Reading residents earn a median household income of $45,599 , which is 39% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $21,394. The unemployment rate stands at 12.1% (236% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 23.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 8,917 business establishments, including 774 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Reading is $109,800 , 61% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $267,494. Median rent is $1,018/month, with 32.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Safety & Crime
Reading reports 338 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 11% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,447/100K. The murder rate is 7.2/100K.
Education
11.7% of adults in Reading hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(65% below the national average).
72.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Reading has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C).
Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Data Overview
People
Population94,836
Median Age31.7 yrs
Density9,638/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born21.5%
Veterans3.4%
Economy
D
Median Income$45,599
Per Capita$21,394
Unemployment12.1%
Poverty23.1%
County GDP$26,580M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,223
Housing
A+
Home Value$109,800
Rent$1,018
Ownership39.7%
Zillow$267,494
Housing Units36,076
Rent Burden32.7%
Crime
F
Violent338/100K
Property1,447/100K
Murder7.2/100K
Assault196/100K
Burglary233/100K
Health
Obesity43.8%
Diabetes16.0%
Smoking26.6%
Heart Disease8.6%
Premature Death7,368/100K
Climate
Avg Temp54°F
Rain45.2 in/yr
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation276 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+72.7%
Graduate+4.0%
School Score5.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 56% / D 43%
Commute24 min
Broadband83.7%
Internet Speed203 Mbps
EV Stations19
Libraries25
Did You Know?
Reading was founded in 1748.
The median home in Reading was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Reading Regional/Carl A Spaatz Field (3 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.445 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
18.7% of the population has a disability.
21.5% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 203 Mbps.
There are 774 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 46 fatal vehicle crashes.