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West Reading, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 Penn Avenue | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Etymology: December | |
 Location in Berks County, Pennsylvania | |
  West Reading Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania West Reading Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°20′03″N75°56′48″W / 40.33417°N 75.94667°W /40.33417; -75.94667 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Berks |
| Incorporated | March 18, 1907 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Samantha Kaag (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.60 sq mi (1.55 km2) |
| • Land | 0.59 sq mi (1.54 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0039 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 285 ft (87 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 4,553 |
| • Density | 7,660.4/sq mi (2,957.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 19611 |
| Area codes | 610 and 484 |
| FIPS code | 42-83928 |
| Website | www |
West Reading is aborough inBerks County, Pennsylvania, United States, located next to the city ofReading. The population was 4,553 at the2020 census. It contains a vibrant main street (Penn Avenue) and the largeReading Hospital and Medical Center. It was also the site of theVF Outlet Village, one of the largestoutlet malls in the United States. The VF Outlet Village was located in the buildings of the former Berkshire Knitting Mills, which was in operation from 1908 to 1975.[3] The VF Outlet closed in 2020.[4]
TheLenape tribe occupied the area.[5]
The borough was settled in 1873 and incorporated on March 18, 1907. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.[6]
In 2022, Samantha Kaag, West Reading’s first ever female Mayor, was elected and took office.[7]
In 2023, seven people were killed in the2023 Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion.[8]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), all land.[9]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 170 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,064 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,921 | 41.5% | |
| 1930 | 4,908 | 68.0% | |
| 1940 | 4,907 | 0.0% | |
| 1950 | 5,072 | 3.4% | |
| 1960 | 4,938 | −2.6% | |
| 1970 | 4,578 | −7.3% | |
| 1980 | 4,507 | −1.6% | |
| 1990 | 4,142 | −8.1% | |
| 2000 | 4,049 | −2.2% | |
| 2010 | 4,212 | 4.0% | |
| 2020 | 4,553 | 8.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
As of thecensus[11] of 2000, there were 4,049 people, 1,666 households, and 862 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,079.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,733.4/km2). There were 1,783 housing units at an average density of 3,117.5 per square mile (1,203.7/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 89.33%White, 4.03%African American, 0.22%Native American, 1.53%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 3.41% fromother races, and 1.46% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 7.78% of the population.
There were 1,666 households, out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% weremarried couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.2% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $38,340, and the median income for a family was $43,472. Males had a median income of $31,592 versus $25,411 for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $21,414. About 5.8% of families and 9.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those aged 65 or over.
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TheReading Hospital and Medical Center is the largest employer in the borough and one of the top five employers inBerks County. The parent company, Tower Health, has its headquarters in the borough.[12]
Acouncil-manager form of government governs the Borough of West Reading. The council's president is Ryan Lineaweaver, and the Vice President is Phillip Wert. The five other members are as follows: Christopher Lincoln, Patrick Kaag, Jennifer Bressler, Denise Drobnick, and Zachary Shaver. Each council member is elected to four and two-year terms, which are on a rotating cycle. The Mayor of the Borough is Samantha Kaag. Her primary role is public safety, oversight of the police department, community involvement, and working hand-in-hand with the borough council. The Magisterial District Judge of West Reading (and Wyomissing) is Eric J. Taylor.[citation needed]
_from_the_overpass_for_Buttonwood_Street_in_West_Reading%2c_Berks_County%2c_Pennsylvania.jpg)
As of 2020, there were 12.92 miles (20.79 km) of public roads in West Reading, of which 1.84 miles (2.96 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 11.08 miles (17.83 km) were maintained by the borough.[14]
U.S. Route 422 is the main highway serving West Reading. It follows the West Shore Bypass along a northwest-to-southeast alignment across the northeastern portion of the borough.U.S. Route 422 Business follows the old alignment of US 422 along Penn Avenue through the center of the borough.[citation needed]
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