What does this measure?

Median household income, in 2017 dollars. Half of incomes are below the median and half are above.

Why is this important?

Median household income is a gauge of the overall economic health of the region and the financial resources of its residents.

How is our county performing?

In 2013-17, the median household income in Berks County was $59,600, higher than the state, at $57,000, and the U.S., at $57,700. The county's median income declined 9% since 2000 (after inflation), a larger drop than both the state and national levels, which experienced 3% and 7% declines over the same period, respectively. Median income was lowest in the Central region of the county, at $36,300. The Central region also experienced the largest decline since 2000, at 20%. All other parts of the county had much higher median incomes, ranging from $65,200 in the western part of the county to $75,200 in the Southeast. In the City of Reading, the median income in 2013-17 was $28,800, a 27% decline since 2000.

Median household income in 2013-17 was significantly higher than Berks in Chester, at $92,400, and Montgomery, at $84,800. Income was similar to Berks in Lancaster ($61,500), Lebanon ($57,700) and Lehigh ($60,100). Only Schuylkill's median income was lower than Berks', at $47,600. Lancaster had a decline in median income that was similar to Berks, down by 8%, while other counties had smaller decreases that ranged from 1% to 6%.

Notes about the data

For additional detail as to how the Berks County regions are defined and which boroughs and townships are included in each, see the About Us page.

There may be additional research available on this topic. Click on Reports and Resources to learn more.

Figures are in constant 2017 dollars. The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined 5 years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. Data for this indicator are released annually in December.