Berks County Demographics

A map of Berks County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	288,465	291,258	66.6%	67.9%
Hispanic	107,531	99,550	24.8%	23.2%
Black	17,109	18,087	4.0%	4.2%
Multiracial	12,138	11,667	2.8%	2.7%
Asian	5,418	6,225	1.3%	1.5%
Native American/Other	2,354	2,062	0.5%	0.5%

Berks County, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 433,015, a less than 1% change from the 428,849 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.6% White, 24.8% Hispanic, 4.0% Black, 2.8% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Berks County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Berks has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Pennsylvania overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Berks County, that probability was 48.2% in 2020 and 49.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Berks County is ranked the 9th most populous county in Pennsylvania, out of 67 counties. Berks County was ranked the 9th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Berks County's White Population

288,465 residents of Berks County, or 66.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Berks County is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Berks County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berks County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Berks County's population has decreased from 67.9% to 66.6%.

Berks County is more White than neighboring Lehigh County (59.1% White). Berks County is less White than neighboring Schuylkill County (86.2% White), Chester County (75.4% White), Lancaster County (79.1% White), and Lebanon County (78.4% White).

Berks County's Black Population

17,109 residents of Berks County, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Berks County is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Berks County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berks County's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.4%. Black residents' share of Berks County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.0%.

Berks County is more Black than neighboring Schuylkill County (2.6% Black), Lancaster County (3.4% Black), and Lebanon County (1.7% Black). Berks County is less Black than neighboring Lehigh County (5.9% Black), and Chester County (4.9% Black).

Berks County's Asian Population

5,418 residents of Berks County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Berks County is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Berks County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berks County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 13.0%. Asian residents' share of Berks County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Berks County is more Asian than neighboring Schuylkill County (0.5% Asian). Berks County is less Asian than neighboring Lehigh County (3.5% Asian), Chester County (6.7% Asian), Lancaster County (2.4% Asian), and Lebanon County (1.6% Asian).

Berks County's Hispanic Population

107,531 residents of Berks County, or 24.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Berks County is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Berks County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berks County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Berks County's population has increased from 23.2% to 24.8%.

Berks County is more Hispanic than neighboring Schuylkill County (7.8% Hispanic), Chester County (8.4% Hispanic), Lancaster County (11.5% Hispanic), and Lebanon County (15.2% Hispanic). Berks County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lehigh County (28% Hispanic).

Berks County's Native American/Other Population

2,354 residents of Berks County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Berks County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Berks County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berks County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 14.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Berks County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Berks County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Schuylkill County (0.2% Native American/Other), Chester County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Lebanon County (0.4% Native American/Other). Berks County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lehigh County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Lancaster County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Berks County's Multiracial Population

12,138 residents of Berks County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Berks County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Berks County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berks County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Berks County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Berks County is more Multiracial than neighboring Schuylkill County (2.7% Multiracial), and Lebanon County (2.7% Multiracial). Berks County is less Multiracial than neighboring Lehigh County (2.9% Multiracial), Chester County (4.1% Multiracial), and Lancaster County (2.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.