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Reading, PA

Frequently asked questions

Reading City, PA

Reading City is a city in and the county seat of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city had a population of 95,112 at the 2020 census and is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. Reading is located in the southeastern part of the state and is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area, which had 420,152 residents in 2020.

Reading gives its name to the now-defunct Reading Company, also known as the Reading Railroad, and since acquired by Conrail, that played a vital role in transporting anthracite coal from Pennsylvania's Coal Region to major East Coast metropolitan markets through the Port of Philadelphia for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Reading Railroad is one of the four railroad properties in the classic U.S. version of the Monopoly board game. Reading was one of the first localities where outlet shopping became a tourist industry. It has been known as "The Pretzel City" because numerous local pretzel bakeries are based in the city and its suburbs; currently, Bachman, Dieffenbach, Tom Sturgis, and Unique Pretzel bakeries call the Reading area home. In recent years, the Reading area has become a destination for cyclists with more than 125 miles of trails in five major preserves; the region is an International Mountain Bicycling Association ride center.

According to 2010 U.S. census data, Reading had the highest share of citizens living in poverty in the nation among cities with populations exceeding 65,000. Reading's poverty rate fell over the next decade. Reading's poverty rate in the five-year American Community Survey, published in 2018, showed that 35.4% of the city's residents were below the poverty line, or less "than the infamous 41.3% from 2011 when Reading was declared the poorest small city in the nation."

Reading is located 38.8 miles (62.4 km) southwest of Allentown and 62.9 miles (101.2 km) northwest of Philadelphia.

Reading is located at 40°20′30″N 75°55′35″W (40.341692, −75.926301) in southeastern Pennsylvania, roughly 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Philadelphia. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26 km²). 9.8 square miles (25 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) of it (2.39%) is water. The city is largely bounded on the west by the Schuylkill River, on the east by Mount Penn, and the south by Neversink Mountain. The Reading Prong, the mountain formation stretching northeast into New Jersey, has come to be associated with naturally occurring radon gas; however, homes in Reading are not particularly affected. The surrounding county is home to several family-owned farms.

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness among its residents. Reading Hospital provides comprehensive medical care, including primary care, specialty services, and emergency care. Planet Fitness provides a comprehensive fitness experience with state-of-the-art equipment and personal training. For yoga enthusiasts, Double Sunrise Yoga offers various classes suitable for all levels. YMCA of Reading and Berks County offers comprehensive health and wellness services, including swimming, gym facilities, and wellness coaching. CrossFit is perfect for those looking for high-intensity training and community support. Kulp Chiropractic Clinic and Core Health Chiropractic offer holistic treatments to enhance physical health and alleviate pain.

Top sites in Reading City, PA include the Reading Public Museum, Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center, and GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.

Population: 94,858 (2022). Area: 10.08 sq mi (26.11 km²). Elevation: 305 feet (93 m). ZIP Codes: 19601. Area Code(s): 610, 484. 

FAQs

What is Reading, PA, known for? 

The city, established as an industrial powerhouse in the mid-19th Century, was home to the Reading Railroad, once the largest corporation in the world, and remains home to Carpenter Technology Corp., a Fortune 500 company. The century-old Pagoda on Mt. Penn serves as the area’s landmark. The city has been home to several literary and cultural figures, as well as two minor league sports franchises and the 109-year-old Reading Symphony Orchestra.

What county is Reading, PA? 

Reading City is a city in and the county seat of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city had a population of 95,112 at the 2020 census and is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. Reading is located in the southeastern part of the state and is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area, which had 420,152 residents in 2020.

Is Reading, PA a good place to live? 

Reading is in Berks County. Living in Reading offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Reading there are a lot of restaurants and parks. Many families live in Reading and residents tend to be liberal.

Sources

City of Reading

Wikipedia

Niche

Reading Public Museum

Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts

Reading Hospital

Planet Fitness

Reading Hospital

Planet Fitness

Double Sunrise Yoga

YMCA of Reading and Berks County

CrossFit

Kulp Chiropractic Clinic

Core Health Chiropractic

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.