Poverty and living standards in Reading, Pennsylvania: official figures
28.7% of residents of Reading (26,512 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 16th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
How many children live in poverty in Reading?
39.0% of children under 18 in Reading lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (10,374 children), 16th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Pennsylvania: 15.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Reading?
By age, the poverty rate in Reading was 39.0% for children under 6 and 27.4% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Reading live in deep poverty?
12,562 people in Reading, 13.6% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 39th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Reading are cost-burdened?
60.4% of renting households in Reading spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (11,068 households), 116th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Pennsylvania: 48.2%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Reading spend half their income on rent?
31.5% of renting households in Reading spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 161st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Reading compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Reading ranks 16 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Muncie | 29.2% |
| 14 | Port Arthur | 29.0% |
| 15 | Syracuse | 28.8% |
| 16 | Reading | 28.7% |
| 17 | Jackson | 27.9% |
| 18 | Rochester | 27.8% |
| 19 | Pharr | 27.6% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Reading ranks 16 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Birmingham | 40.4% |
| 14 | Harlingen | 39.9% |
| 15 | Utica | 39.4% |
| 16 | Reading | 39.0% |
| 17 | Camden | 38.9% |
| 18 | Canton | 38.9% |
| 19 | Albany | 38.8% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Reading ranks 39 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Port Arthur | 13.7% |
| 37 | Chapel Hill | 13.7% |
| 38 | Cincinnati | 13.7% |
| 39 | Reading | 13.6% |
| 40 | Terre Haute | 13.6% |
| 41 | Fort Pierce | 13.5% |
| 42 | Jackson | 13.1% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Reading ranks 116 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Anaheim | 60.5% |
| 114 | Ann Arbor | 60.4% |
| 115 | Pomona | 60.4% |
| 116 | Reading | 60.4% |
| 117 | Jackson | 60.3% |
| 118 | Aurora | 60.3% |
| 119 | Montebello | 60.3% |
More on Reading: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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