Reading, Pennsylvania Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Reading, Pennsylvania is 94,836 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 4th-largest city in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $45,599, the median home value is $109,800, and the median age is 31.7.
The population has grown 9.0% since 2010 (88,040 → 96,000).
94,836
Population
9635
People / sq mi
$45,599
Median Income
$109,800
Median Home Value
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Reading covers 9.8 sq mi of land at 9635 people per square mile.
About Reading, PA
Educational attainment is the headline number in Reading: 11.7% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Reading is a city in Pennsylvania with a population of 94,836. It is the #4-largest of all cities in Pennsylvania nationally.
Money is tight relative to the rest of US cities: the median household earns just $45,599, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 23.1%, is among the steepest of comparable US cities and above the national 12.4%. Real estate is inexpensive, with a typical home worth only $109,800, with typical rent around $1,018.
Four-year-degree attainment is near the bottom of the range for US cities, 11.7%, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 5.0% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.
Reading city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Reading city had a population of 88,040 in 2010 and 96,000 in 2024, a 9.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 96,000 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.64%.
96,000
Population (2024)
88,040
Population (2010)
96,000
Peak (2024)
0.64%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 88,040 |
| 2011 | 88,195 |
| 2012 | 88,141 |
| 2013 | 88,264 |
| 2014 | 88,171 |
| 2015 | 88,047 |
| 2016 | 88,128 |
| 2017 | 88,134 |
| 2018 | 88,542 |
| 2019 | 88,375 |
| 2020 | 94,983 |
| 2021 | 94,963 |
| 2022 | 95,011 |
| 2023 | 95,353 |
| 2024 | 96,000 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 30.2% |
| Black or African American | 10.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$45,599
Median Household Income
$21,394
Per Capita Income
23.1%
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$109,800
Median Home Value
$1,018
Median Rent
39.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
72.7%
High School+
11.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
3.9%
Drive Alone
63.7%
Public Transit
5.0%
Work From Home
23.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
17.7%
Foreign Born
45.1%
Non-English at Home
3.4%
Veterans
18.7%
With Disability
87.7%
Health Insurance
90.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 21.6% |
| Manufacturing | 21.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.8% |
| Retail Trade | 7.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.6% |
| Construction | 4.9% |
| Information | 4.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 4.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.4% |
| Public Administration | 2.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.5% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reading, Pennsylvania has a population of 94,836 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 4th-largest city in Pennsylvania.
The median household income in Reading, Pennsylvania is $45,599, with 23.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Reading, Pennsylvania is $109,800, with median monthly rent at $1,018 and a homeownership rate of 39.7%.
The median age in Reading, Pennsylvania is 31.7 years. The population is 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
The population has grown 9.0% since 2010 (88,040 → 96,000).
Where to stay in Reading
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.