Reading, PA Demographics

A map of Reading's Population by Race

Reading, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 95,242, a less than 1% change from the 95,112 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.8% Hispanic, 18.5% White, 7.7% Black, 2.1% Multiracial, 0.5% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Reading, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Reading has become less 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 Reading, that probability was 48.1% in 2020 and 45.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Reading is ranked the 4th most populous place in Pennsylvania, out of 2,002 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Reading was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Reading's White Population

17,604 residents of Reading, or 18.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Reading is significantly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Reading ranks 1879th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's White population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. White residents' share of Reading's population has remained roughly unchanged at 18.5%.

Reading is less White than neighboring West Reading (54.8% White), Hyde Park (40% White), Kenhorst (54.8% White), Greenfields (94.6% White), and Mount Penn (52.7% White).

Reading's Black Population

7,312 residents of Reading, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Reading is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Reading ranks 177th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.0%. Black residents' share of Reading's population has decreased from 8.5% to 7.7%.

Reading is more Black than neighboring West Reading (2.2% Black), Hyde Park (2.3% Black), Kenhorst (0% Black), Greenfields (0% Black), and Mount Penn (4.1% Black).

Reading's Asian Population

437 residents of Reading, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Reading is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Reading ranks 724th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Asian population has declined by an estimated 39.8%. Asian residents' share of Reading's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Reading is more Asian than neighboring Hyde Park (0% Asian), and Mount Penn (0% Asian). Reading is less Asian than neighboring West Reading (6.2% Asian), Kenhorst (5.3% Asian), and Greenfields (1.5% Asian).

Reading's Hispanic Population

67,414 residents of Reading, or 70.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Reading is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Reading ranks 1st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Reading's population has increased from 69.0% to 70.8%.

Reading is more Hispanic than neighboring West Reading (33.6% Hispanic), Hyde Park (55.6% Hispanic), Kenhorst (36.5% Hispanic), Greenfields (2.3% Hispanic), and Mount Penn (33.9% Hispanic).

Reading's Native American/Other Population

519 residents of Reading, 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 Reading is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Reading ranks 431st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 19.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Reading's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Reading is more Native American/Other than neighboring West Reading (0% Native American/Other), Kenhorst (0.2% Native American/Other), and Greenfields (0% Native American/Other). Reading is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hyde Park (1.9% Native American/Other).

Reading's Multiracial Population

1,956 residents of Reading, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Reading is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Reading ranks 1527th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Reading's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Reading is more Multiracial than neighboring Hyde Park (0.3% Multiracial), and Greenfields (1.5% Multiracial). Reading is less Multiracial than neighboring West Reading (3.2% Multiracial), Kenhorst (3.2% Multiracial), and Mount Penn (8.8% 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.