| City: | Reading, Pennsylvania |
| City Alias: | Laureldale, Muhlenberg, Muhlenberg Township, Ontelaunee |
| Names to Avoid: | Berkley, Bernharts, Muhlenburg Park, River View Park, Tuckerton |
| County: | Berks County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 12:06:23 AM |
| Population: | 21,356 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 610 / 835 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 40.4067, -75.9459 |
| Land Area: | 17.596 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 19605 has 21,356 residents and 8,102 households (average 2.61 persons per household). The median age is 43.4 years, slightly older than the state (41.0) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.1% male and 51.9% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (66.9%, much lower than the state average of 75.0%) and Hispanic or Latino (27.2%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 27.2%, which is much higher than the state average (8.1%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 21,356Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 20,916Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 21,639Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1,213.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $85,775Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 8,102Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $218,500Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.61Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.10Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 19,519 | 19,094 | 19,205 | 19,271 | 19,664 | 19,649 | 19,798 | 19,602 | 19,833 | 18,863 | 20,532 | 20,564 | 20,916 |
| Decennial Census | 18,985 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 21,356 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 43.4
Male Median Age: 41.7
Female Median Age: 45.1
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 528 | 604 | 737 | 730 | 521 | 554 | 615 | 620 | 578 | 566 | 734 | 819 | 736 | 586 | 494 | 341 | 240 | 262 |
| Female | 551 | 618 | 657 | 678 | 552 | 560 | 680 | 655 | 583 | 691 | 762 | 832 | 782 | 702 | 602 | 424 | 324 | 438 |
| Total | 1,079 | 1,222 | 1,394 | 1,408 | 1,073 | 1,114 | 1,295 | 1,275 | 1,161 | 1,257 | 1,496 | 1,651 | 1,518 | 1,288 | 1,096 | 765 | 564 | 700 |
| White: | 14,290 | 57.50% |
| Black: | 1,207 | 4.86% |
| Hispanic:* | 5,817 | 23.41% |
| Asian: | 471 | 1.90% |
| American Indian: | 150 | 0.60% |
| Hawaiian: | 12 | 0.05% |
| Other: | 2,905 | 11.69% |
| Total: | 24,852 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 10,265 | 48.07% | 41.7 years |
| Females: | 11,091 | 51.93% | 45.1 years |
| Total: | 21,356 | 100% | 43.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 17,185 | 82.16% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 1,153 | 5.51% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 1,550 | 7.41% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 1,028 | 12.33% |
| Total Population: | 20,916 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 18,338 | 87.67% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 2,578 | 12.33% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $85,775, which is markedly greater than the state median ($76,081), is up $31,154 (57.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $17,325. Family households earn a median of $103,965 versus $59,786 for nonfamily households (a difference of $44,179). By gender, male median income is $65,240 and female is $53,768, which is closely matches the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $11,472 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 68.4%, which is well above the state rate (62.8%). The unemployment rate is 6.7%, which is well above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (36.7%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,621 | $54,385 | $58,033 | $59,646 | $57,500 | $60,798 | $63,766 | $64,416 | $68,450 | $73,705 | $75,986 | $81,222 | $85,775 |
| Median Family Income | $62,506 | $63,181 | $66,934 | $66,456 | $66,809 | $69,705 | $72,227 | $74,557 | $74,910 | $83,728 | $90,087 | $99,924 | $103,965 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $32,840 | $35,407 | $35,442 | $38,546 | $37,685 | $36,943 | $36,845 | $34,368 | $35,723 | $52,690 | $52,164 | $56,450 | $59,786 |
| Median Male Income | $44,293 | $46,416 | $47,354 | $49,079 | $48,074 | $50,217 | $50,351 | $51,735 | $51,587 | $54,747 | $60,795 | $61,131 | $65,240 |
| Median Female Income | $33,874 | $35,081 | $36,466 | $39,188 | $38,290 | $39,555 | $42,890 | $42,136 | $42,304 | $50,221 | $51,487 | $52,923 | $53,768 |
| Employed: | 10,807 | 63.76% |
| Unemployed: | 780 | 4.60% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 5,362 | 31.64% |
| Total: | 16,949 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 3,961 | 36.65% |
| Service: | 1,686 | 15.60% |
| Sales and Office: | 2,255 | 20.87% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 827 | 7.65% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 2,078 | 19.23% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 10,807 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $218,500, which is well under the national median ($303,400), is up $65,000 (42.35%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $60,800. The median gross rent is $1,310, which is markedly greater than the state median ($1,162), is up $456 (53.40%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $366. Of occupied housing, owners make up 85.50% (65.19% with a mortgage, 34.81% free-and-clear) and renters 14.50% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 4.98%, which is far lower than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $153,500 | $155,300 | $154,400 | $151,900 | $145,700 | $147,200 | $150,300 | $151,600 | $157,700 | $166,300 | $176,900 | $200,800 | $218,500 |
| Less than $500: | 11 | 0.99% |
| $500 to $999: | 250 | 22.40% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 440 | 39.43% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 399 | 35.75% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 6 | 0.54% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 10 | 0.90% |
| Total: | 1,116 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $854 | $885 | $901 | $965 | $980 | $928 | $994 | $995 | $944 | $1,131 | $1,154 | $1,217 | $1,310 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 4,290 | 55.74% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 2,291 | 29.76% |
| Renter Occupied: | 1,116 | 14.50% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 7,697 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 7,697 | 95.02% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 403 | 4.98% |
| Total Housing Units: | 8,100 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 6,949 | 85.79% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 825 | 10.19% |
| Other Units: | 326 | 4.02% |
| Total Housing Units: | 8,100 | 100% |
In 2023, 27.10% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 89.90%, which is on par with the state rate (91.90%). The uninsured rate is 3.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 6.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), down 1.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.80 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (48.50%). College enrollment is 20.84%, which is markedly below the state rate (27.30%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 554 | 3.71% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 959 | 6.43% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 5,555 | 37.24% |
| Some college, no degree: | 2,536 | 17.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 1,264 | 8.47% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 2,711 | 18.18% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,336 | 8.96% |
| Total: | 14,915 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 13,402 | 89.86% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 4,047 | 27.13% |
| Private Insurance: | 14,959 | 62.09% |
| Public Insurance: | 8,518 | 35.35% |
| No Insurance: | 616 | 2.56% |
| Total: | 24,093 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 23,477 | 97.44% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 7.8% | 8.6% | 7.2% | 6.0% | 5.1% | 5.6% | 5.2% | 3.8% | 3.0% | 2.3% | 5.1% | 5.2% | 6.8% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 208 | 5.04% |
| Kindergarten: | 119 | 2.88% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 2,001 | 48.50% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 938 | 22.73% |
| College or graduate school: | 860 | 20.84% |
| Total: | 4,126 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 327 | 7.93% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 3,058 | 74.12% |
ZIP Code 19605 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 685 business establishments, employing about 17,185 people with an annual payroll of $1,011,980,000. USPS data shows 8,291 residential mailboxes and 726 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 8,291Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 726Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 8,963Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 7,248Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 184Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 685Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $266,240,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,011,980,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 17,185Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 19605 is located in Berks County, Pennsylvania, within the Reading, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 39740) and Pennsylvania's 4th and 6th Congressional Districts. This Metro area has a population of 429,989 people, about 4.97% of whom live in ZIP Code 19605. It covers 17.596 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.389 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Reading, PASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 39740Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 429,989Source: Census |
| MSA: | Reading, PA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 17.596 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.389 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04,06Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1517.84, 860.47 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 4263624Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Reading city; PennsylvaniaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 19605 is in the Muhlenberg School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 4 public schools and 4 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.