| City: | Reading, Pennsylvania |
| City Alias: | Mount Penn, Reading Sta, Reading Station |
| Names to Avoid: | Five Points, Jacksonwald, Lorane, Mt Penn, Pennside, Reiffton, Saint Lawrence, St Lawrence, Stony Creek Mills |
| County: | Berks County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:34:55 PM |
| Population: | 35,153 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 610 / 835 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 40.3312, -75.8496 |
| Land Area: | 26.651 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 19606 has 35,153 residents and 13,503 households (average 2.57 persons per household). The median age is 41.6 years, about the same as the state (41.0) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.1% male and 50.9% female, which is about the same as the state male share (48.9%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (77.7%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (16.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 16.0%, 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: | 35,153Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 35,853Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 35,949Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1,319.0 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $85,557Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 13,503Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $245,600Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.57Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.96Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 33,996 | 34,275 | 34,724 | 34,789 | 34,736 | 34,713 | 34,862 | 34,804 | 35,413 | 35,750 | 36,052 | 35,895 | 36,097 | 35,853 |
| Decennial Census | 34,416 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 35,153 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 41.6
Male Median Age: 40.1
Female Median Age: 43.1
| 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 | 925 | 1,080 | 1,136 | 1,215 | 1,004 | 1,076 | 1,090 | 1,087 | 1,016 | 1,172 | 1,106 | 1,238 | 1,172 | 1,028 | 834 | 526 | 285 | 263 |
| Female | 846 | 1,003 | 1,132 | 1,103 | 912 | 996 | 1,123 | 1,144 | 1,103 | 1,114 | 1,237 | 1,348 | 1,263 | 1,058 | 956 | 637 | 399 | 526 |
| Total | 1,771 | 2,083 | 2,268 | 2,318 | 1,916 | 2,072 | 2,213 | 2,231 | 2,119 | 2,286 | 2,343 | 2,586 | 2,435 | 2,086 | 1,790 | 1,163 | 684 | 789 |
| White: | 27,299 | 72.02% |
| Black: | 1,820 | 4.80% |
| Hispanic:* | 5,611 | 14.80% |
| Asian: | 589 | 1.55% |
| American Indian: | 147 | 0.39% |
| Hawaiian: | 8 | 0.02% |
| Other: | 2,433 | 6.42% |
| Total: | 37,907 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 17,253 | 49.08% | 40.1 years |
| Females: | 17,900 | 50.92% | 43.1 years |
| Total: | 35,153 | 100% | 41.6 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 32,522 | 90.71% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 927 | 2.59% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 1,969 | 5.49% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 435 | 6.71% |
| Total Population: | 35,853 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 33,449 | 93.29% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 2,404 | 6.71% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $85,557, which is well above the national median ($80,734), is up $21,402 (33.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $14,208. Family households earn a median of $107,724 versus $44,238 for nonfamily households (a difference of $63,486). By gender, male median income is $63,837 and female is $55,357, which is on par with the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $8,480 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 67.9%, which is well above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is slightly higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (41.3%).
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 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,155 | $63,268 | $64,047 | $65,577 | $66,163 | $66,343 | $68,233 | $69,723 | $71,349 | $70,827 | $74,654 | $79,636 | $81,872 | $85,557 |
| Median Family Income | $72,931 | $72,674 | $74,992 | $75,208 | $77,940 | $80,000 | $80,609 | $82,150 | $83,770 | $85,146 | $93,364 | $97,072 | $102,579 | $107,724 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $41,144 | $37,639 | $35,774 | $35,413 | $38,115 | $39,019 | $40,592 | $39,968 | $40,019 | $39,444 | $39,902 | $40,259 | $42,223 | $44,238 |
| Median Male Income | $53,117 | $54,083 | $54,494 | $54,664 | $57,203 | $56,072 | $56,559 | $57,625 | $57,996 | $56,232 | $59,779 | $64,756 | $63,335 | $63,837 |
| Median Female Income | $40,145 | $40,497 | $40,271 | $41,762 | $40,708 | $41,563 | $43,483 | $44,101 | $44,977 | $44,517 | $46,692 | $50,326 | $54,763 | $55,357 |
| Employed: | 18,755 | 64.21% |
| Unemployed: | 1,082 | 3.70% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 9,374 | 32.09% |
| Total: | 29,211 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 7,752 | 41.33% |
| Service: | 2,288 | 12.20% |
| Sales and Office: | 4,031 | 21.49% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,489 | 7.94% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 3,195 | 17.04% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 18,755 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $245,600, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is up $76,900 (45.58%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $73,900. The median gross rent is $1,243, which is far less than the national median ($1,413), is up $404 (48.15%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $133. Of occupied housing, owners make up 79.57% (61.58% with a mortgage, 38.42% free-and-clear) and renters 20.43% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 4.46%, which is far lower than the national rate (10.12%).
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 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $168,700 | $168,500 | $166,700 | $166,500 | $167,200 | $167,400 | $167,500 | $170,100 | $171,700 | $180,500 | $189,800 | $217,700 | $229,400 | $245,600 |
| Less than $500: | 129 | 4.49% |
| $500 to $999: | 503 | 17.51% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 1,044 | 36.34% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 877 | 30.53% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 115 | 4.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 39 | 1.36% |
| $3,000 or more: | 53 | 1.84% |
| No Rent: | 113 | 3.93% |
| Total: | 2,873 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $839 | $845 | $888 | $926 | $930 | $967 | $1,022 | $1,025 | $1,110 | $1,070 | $1,112 | $1,240 | $1,282 | $1,243 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 6,891 | 49.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 4,300 | 30.57% |
| Renter Occupied: | 2,873 | 20.43% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 14,064 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 14,064 | 95.54% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 657 | 4.46% |
| Total Housing Units: | 14,721 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 12,232 | 83.09% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 2,042 | 13.87% |
| Other Units: | 447 | 3.04% |
| Total Housing Units: | 14,721 | 100% |
In 2024, 30.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is falls below the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 92.90%, which is well above the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 5.90%, which is falls below the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 5.90%, which is falls below the national rate (8.80%), up 1.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.10 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (39.73%). College enrollment is 19.77%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), 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: | 636 | 2.46% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,203 | 4.65% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 9,657 | 37.36% |
| Some college, no degree: | 4,018 | 15.55% |
| Associate's degree: | 2,372 | 9.18% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 5,068 | 19.61% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 2,892 | 11.19% |
| Total: | 25,846 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 24,007 | 92.88% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 7,960 | 30.80% |
| Private Insurance: | 25,720 | 76.84% |
| Public Insurance: | 13,186 | 39.39% |
| No Insurance: | 2,099 | 6.27% |
| Total: | 33,474 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 38,906 | 116.23% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 5.6% | 6.1% | 6.5% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 8.2% | 6.5% | 6.6% | 7.4% | 6.0% | 7.1% | 6.7% | 5.9% |
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: | 553 | 6.75% |
| Kindergarten: | 700 | 8.55% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3,254 | 39.73% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 2,064 | 25.20% |
| College or graduate school: | 1,619 | 19.77% |
| Total: | 8,190 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 1,253 | 15.30% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 6,018 | 73.48% |
ZIP Code 19606 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 534 business establishments, employing about 11,951 people with an annual payroll of $529,234,000. USPS data shows 13,988 residential mailboxes and 504 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 13,988Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 504Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 15,579Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 11,279Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 788Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 534Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $122,060,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $529,234,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 11,951Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 19606 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 411,442 people, about 8.54% of whom live in ZIP Code 19606. It covers 26.651 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.244 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Reading, PASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 39740Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 411,442Source: Census |
| MSA: | Reading, PA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 26.651 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.244 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 19606 is part of 2 school districts, including: Exeter Township School District (Grades KG thru 12) and Antietam School District (Grades Kindergarten thru 12th). There are 9 public schools and 1 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 March 1, 2026.