West Reading, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

West Reading is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 4,537. Residents earn $61,974 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
4,537 Population 7,690/sq mi density
$61,974 Median Income $49,106 per capita
$159,700 Home Value $236,500 Zillow
$1,159 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
1,191 Violent Crime/100K 2,834 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$61,974 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$159,700 home value, $1,159/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,191 violent crimes/100K (213% above avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
33.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,974
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $159,700
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,191/100K
213% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.3%
1% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,159
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

How West Reading Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,537
Median Age34.9 yrs
Density7,690/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 63%

Economy

A
Median Income$61,974
Per Capita$49,106
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$26,580M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$159,700
Rent$1,159
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$236,500

Crime

F
Violent1,191/100K
Property2,834/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault953/100K
Burglary452/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.2 in/yr
Elevation301 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.3%
High School+90.7%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 43%
Commute22 min
Libraries25

Is West Reading a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Reading receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. West Reading offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Reading is $61,974, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Reading is $159,700, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,159 per month. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,191 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,834 per 100,000, 45% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.3% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

West Reading experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. 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 40.

West Reading has a population of 4,537 with a density of 7,690 people per square mile. The median age is 34.9 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.8%), with 5.4% Black.

Population

4,537
Total Population
7,690
People / sq mi
34.9yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

West Reading vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only69.0%
12% below US avg
Spanish31.0%
131% above US avg

Social Characteristics

West Reading vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Reading is $61,974, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: West Reading vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,974
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$49,106
Avg Weekly Wage$1,223
IRS Avg AGI$73,856

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,917
County GDP$26,580M

Business (County)

Restaurants774
Healthcare964
Retail1,095
Manufacturing461

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,380
111% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home8.0%

Walkability

The median home value in West Reading is $159,700, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,159 (0% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $236,500.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$159,700
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$236,500
Median List Price$249,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$249,900
$/Sq Ft$185
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio101.5%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,159
0% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,380
111% above US avg
Effective Rate4.62%

Health Metrics: West Reading vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.4%
Premature Death7,368/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access86.2%
Healthcare Facilities964
West Reading has a violent crime rate of 1,191 per 100,000 residents, 213% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,834 per 100,000 (45% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: West Reading vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,190.8/100K
213% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape71.5/100K
Robbery166.7/100K
Assault952.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,834.0/100K
45% above US avg
Burglary452.5/100K
Theft2,238.6/100K
Vehicle Theft142.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West 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 is 45.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.2 inches
19% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation301 ft (92 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density7,690/sq mi
Coordinates40.3338°N, 75.9469°W
County FIPS42011
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 33.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 12.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.6%
D 43.4%

Winner: Republican by 12.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+33.3%
1% below US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score5.95
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density7,690/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities964
Restaurants774
Retail Stores1,095

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home8.0%

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