1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Berks County is $1,181 a month against a median household income of $79,777, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Berks County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Berks County, PA
- Berks County's most unusual numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Berks County
- Housing costs in Berks County
- Where Berks County works
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Berks County
- Berks County next to its neighbors
- What the numbers mean for Berks County borrowers
- Berks County households compared
- Debt-to-income, Berks County edition
- Steps before you apply in Berks County
- Pennsylvania lender licensing
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Berks County, PA
With an estimated 433,015 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Berks County ranks 9th of 67 in Pennsylvania for population. It covers 856 square miles of land, or about 506 people per square mile. Berks County counts toward the Reading, PA metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Reading, PA include it. Reading is the biggest of its 87 Census places, at roughly 95,242 people (22% of the county total).
Berks County's most unusual numbers
The 4 Berks County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Pennsylvania, and what each means for a borrower:
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Berks County sits near the top of Pennsylvania at 52%, 6th highest of 67. Make sure a consolidation loan lowers what you pay each month.
- Median age: 39.9 in Berks County. Only 7 of 67 Pennsylvania counties are lower. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Berks County ranks 9th lowest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for the housing vacancy rate: 5%, against 9% statewide. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Berks County on population: 433,015 here, 13,018,639 for the state, ranking 9th highest of 67. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
Paychecks and income spread in Berks County
Half of Berks County households take in less than $79,777 a year and half take in more, 2% above the Pennsylvania median of $77,971. Only 13 Pennsylvania counties post a higher median.
| Band | Berks County | Compared with Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.2% | -0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.8% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.0% | +1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.1% | -1.8 pts |
21% under $35,000 and 39% at $100,000 or more: that is the Berks County income split. Poverty rate, Berks County: 12.2%; Pennsylvania: 11.7%. Gini index for Berks County: 0.446. A household earning below the $79,777 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Berks County
$1,181 a month is the median gross rent in Berks County, 2% below the state. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. Home values center on $257,300, or 3.2 years of median income. In Berks County, 71% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Housing | Berks County | Pennsylvania statewide | Berks County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,181/mo | $1,209/mo | 2% lower |
| Median home value | $257,300 | $254,500 | level |
| Owners | 71% | 69% | +1.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 48% | +3.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | 0.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.8% | 3.5% | -0.8 pts |
| Vacant units | 5% | 9% | -4.3 pts |
With rent burdens at 52%, keep any Berks County loan to the smallest amount that solves the problem.
Where Berks County works
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Berks County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Compared with Pennsylvania, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 11%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 74% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 14,157 Berks County households, 8.7%, have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Berks County | Gap to Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.1% | -3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.8% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.7% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -0.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Berks County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 87. Roughly 39% of Berks County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $125,781, Grill over Kutztown University. Reading and every other Berks County community use this county guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | city | 95,242 | $44,091 | $1,067 | 5 mi |
| Wyomissing | borough | 11,172 | $93,203 | $1,781 | 6 mi |
| Blandon | CDP | 7,357 | $109,417 | $1,335 | 3 mi |
| Shillington | borough | 5,492 | $79,922 | $1,387 | 8 mi |
| Pennside | CDP | 5,407 | $77,192 | $1,203 | 6 mi |
| Whitfield | CDP | 5,226 | $126,740 | $1,474 | 7 mi |
| Birdsboro | borough | 5,116 | $86,290 | $1,146 | 12 mi |
| Lorane | CDP | 4,601 | $84,293 | $1,743 | 9 mi |
| Reiffton | CDP | 4,575 | $128,750 | $1,630 | 8 mi |
| West Reading | borough | 4,562 | $65,885 | $1,365 | 6 mi |
| Amity Gardens | CDP | 4,499 | $95,438 | $1,512 | 14 mi |
| Hamburg | borough | 4,456 | $55,446 | $1,148 | 10 mi |
| Boyertown | borough | 4,287 | $56,723 | $1,131 | 16 mi |
| Laureldale | borough | 4,284 | $69,821 | $1,516 | 2 mi |
Berks County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Berks County's, from 22 to 33 miles away. Income ranges from $68,313 in Schuylkill County to $127,208 in Chester County; 4 of these neighbors top Berks County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berks County | - | $79,777 | $1,181/mo | 71% |
| Lehigh County, PA | 22 mi | $80,079 | $1,383/mo | 66% |
| Schuylkill County, PA | 25 mi | $68,313 | $876/mo | 76% |
| Lebanon County, PA | 28 mi | $78,425 | $1,110/mo | 71% |
| Lancaster County, PA | 31 mi | $86,959 | $1,357/mo | 70% |
| Chester County, PA | 32 mi | $127,208 | $1,763/mo | 75% |
| Montgomery County, PA | 33 mi | $113,915 | $1,683/mo | 71% |
What the numbers mean for Berks County borrowers
Where the Berks County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Berks County households compared
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. Uninsured, Berks County: 7.3%; Pennsylvania: 5.6%.
| Measure | Berks County | Gap to Pennsylvania | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.7% | -7.5 pts | +5.5 pts |
| Work from home | 11.9% | -3.7 pts | +3.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | +3.7 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 8.7% | -1.7 pts | +3.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | +1.6 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Median age | 39.9 | -1.0 yrs | -1.6 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | +0.5 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | +0.2 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Commute length | Berks County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.8% |
Debt-to-income, Berks County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Berks County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $6,648 a month: gross income for a household at the Berks County median
- Rent at the median, $1,181, takes 18% of that
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,146 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,811: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Berks County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Berks County
Steps that save money for Berks County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Berks County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Pennsylvania lender licensing
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Berks County borrowers answers to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Pennsylvania guide covers state rules in more detail.
Keep exploring
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $79,777 a good income in Berks County?
It is the county median, so half of Berks County households earn more and half less; 39% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Berks County, PA?
$1,181 a month, utilities included, or $14,172 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Berks County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 71% of Berks County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
What are the biggest places in Berks County?
By population: Reading, Wyomissing, Blandon, Shillington, Pennside. The county has 87 Census places in all.
Can Berks County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Pennsylvania county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.