Reading

by The Linguist

 

Reading is a city located in southeastern Pennsylvania in Berks County. With a population of 88,145 as of 2022, it is the county seat of Berks County and the fifth most populous city in Pennsylvania.

History

Reading was founded in 1748 by Richard and Thomas Penn as a county seat for Berks County. It was named after the English town of Reading, Berkshire. Reading initially grew from its location along the Schuylkill River and its proximity to Philadelphia. It became an industrial center in the 19th century, with ironworks, steel factories, and later textile mills and factories.
Reading grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with influxes of immigrants working in the factories and industries. Its population in 1880 was 43,278 people, growing to 78,961 people by 1910. Some major employers around this time period included the Reading Railroad, Berkshire Knitting Mills, and the American Oleograph Company.

Geography

Reading is located at 40°20′30′′N 75°55′35′′W. It has a total area of 10.1 square miles, of which 9.7 square miles is land and 0.4 square miles (3.81%) is water according to the Reading, Pennsylvania Wikipedia page.

Some of the neighborhoods and areas in Reading include:

  • Centre Park Historic District
  • Centre Avenue
  • East Reading
  • Northeast Reading
  • Northwest Reading
  • Southside
  • Southwest Reading
  • Tyson-Schoener Elementary School Historic District
  • Wyomissing Hills

The city has a humid continental climate. Summers are typically hot and muggy, while winters are cold, windy, and snowy. On average, temperatures range from 28°F in January to 84°F in July.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Reading had a population of 88,145 people. The racial makeup of the city was:

  • 45.6% White
  • 13.5% Black or African American
  • 5.6% Asian
  • 1.2% Native American
  • 0.1% Pacific Islander
  • 4.5% from other races
  • 3.4% from two or more races
  • 63.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race

There were 31,062 households and 19,749 families living in the city. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.44. The median age was 33.3 years old.

The Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey estimated Reading’s population to be 89,706 people, a 1.8% increase from 2020. The city has a fairly young population, with over 27% under age 18 and over 14% aged 65 or older.

Economy

Historically, Reading’s economy was based in railroad, iron, steel, and textile manufacturing. Over time, these industries downsized or left the area leading to periods of high unemployment and economic struggle. Today, the city’s economy has diversified into service industries, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and logistics, and technology companies.

Some major employers in Reading today include Reading Health System, Carpenter Technology Corporation, City of Reading, Amazon, Boscov’s, Tower Health, Sweet Street Desserts, Redner’s Markets, Berks County Intermediate Unit, and UPMC Western Maryland.

The finance and insurance sector accounts for 7.4% of employment in the city. Healthcare and social assistance make up 20.8%. Manufacturing remains an important employer at 12.5% of employment.

As of November 2022, the unemployment rate in Reading was 4.1%, slightly below the national average of 3.7%. Job growth over the past year has been led by the leisure/hospitality, transportation/utilities, financial, and mining/logging sectors.

Median household income in Reading is $32,288, which is below the Berks County and national medians. 28.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The city faces challenges with poverty and unemployment rates higher than national levels.

Government

Reading has a mayor-council form of municipal government. The mayor serves four-year terms and has broad executive powers. The city council is made up of seven members elected to four-year terms. The city manages various departments including public works, information technology, community development, police, fire, finance, and parks and recreation.

The current mayor of Reading is Eddie Morán, who took office in 2020. The city is located in Pennsylvania’s 4th congressional district and is represented by Democrat Madeleine Dean in the United States House of Representatives.

Culture and Landmarks

Reading is home to several cultural institutions and historic sites. Some landmarks in the city include:

For performing arts, Reading is home to the Berks County Theatre Company and the Genetti Theatre. The city also hosts the annual Reading Blues Fest and the Reading Beer Fest.

Sports

Sports are a big part of the Reading culture. The city is home to several professional and semi-pro teams, including:

  • Reading Fightin Phils – minor league baseball team playing at FirstEnergy Stadium.
  • Reading Royals – ECHL ice hockey team playing at Santander Arena.
  • Berks Catholic Crusaders – high school football, basketball, baseball and more.
  • Reading United AC – USL League Two soccer team.
  • Reading Rage – Women’s Professional Soccer League team.

In addition to pro teams, Reading and Berks County have a thriving youth sports culture with baseball, soccer, football, basketball, and more. The city’s parks offer recreational leagues and sports facilities for residents.

Golf is also popular in the Reading area, with courses like the Berkshire Country Club, Reading Country Club, Arrowhead Golf Club and others in the county.

Education

Reading is home to several institutions of higher education. Albright College and Alvernia University are four-year private liberal arts colleges located in Reading. Penn State Berks and Reading Area Community College both have local campuses in the city.

The city’s primary public school district is the Reading School District. The district has 16 elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools – Reading High School and Reading Intermediate High School. There are also several public charter and cyber charter schools serving the area.

Some private and parochial schools in Reading include Berks Catholic High School, Wyomissing Area Junior and Senior High School, and schools associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown.

Reading struggles with below average scores on standardized tests and high school graduation rates lower than statewide averages. Revitalizing education is an important issue for the city.

Transportation

Reading is served by various transportation infrastructure:

  • Reading Regional Airport offers commercial airline service on American Airlines.
  • Several major highways run through or near Reading including Route 12, Route 222, Route 562, and Route 10.
  • Reading is a major railroad hub, served by Norfolk Southern and the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad.
  • The Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA) provides bus service throughout Berks County.

For travelling between Reading and nearby cities, residents can access Amtrak passenger train service, intercity buses, and the Pa Turnpike (I-76).

Media

Reading has one major daily local newspaper, the Reading Eagle. The city gets radio from stations such as WEEU, WRAW, WIOV, WCTO, and WRFY. Residents also receive television stations from the Philadelphia and Harrisburg/Lancaster/Lebanon/York media markets.

Social media pages like Reading’s Facebook page help keep residents connected and informed on local news and events.

Conclusion

From its early industrial roots to recent efforts to rebuild a diversified local economy, Reading has a long and storied history as a major city in Pennsylvania. While facing challenges like poverty and crime, Reading retains a vibrant cultural scene, landmarks, and strong sense of community pride. The city’s diversity and affordability continue to make it an attractive place for residents and businesses today.