The percentage of the voting-age population (18 and over) that voted in an election.
Voting is a basic right of all citizens and indicates the citizenry's interest, commitment and belief in the value of participating in our political process.
In 2018, 44% of voting-age people in Berks County cast votes in the election, slightly lower than the statewide rate of 49%.
During the 2016 presidential election, voter participation in Berks was similar to the U.S., at 57%, and slightly lower than the statewide rate of 60%. Since 2000, voter participation in Berks was at its lowest during the 2014 midterms, at 32%, slightly below Pennsylvania's rate of 35%.
During the 2018 election, voter participation was higher than Berks in Chester (59%), Lancaster (49%) and Montgomery (59%) counties. Participation was similar to Berks in Lebanon and Lehigh (both at 45%) and Schuylkill (43%).
Rates were calculated using Census estimates of the population 18 and over. National data only available for presidential years.
There may be additional research available on this topic. Click on Reports and Resources to learn more.
2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | |
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United States | 50% | 56% | 57% | 54% | 55% | ||||
Pennsylvania | 52% | 38% | 60% | 42% | 61% | 57% | 35% | 60% | 49% |
Berks County | 48% | 36% | 56% | 39% | 58% | 54% | 32% | 57% | 44% |
Berks County Regions | |||||||||
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Northeast | |||||||||
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Southeast | |||||||||
West | |||||||||
Reading city | |||||||||
Berks County Peers | |||||||||
Chester County | 58% | 43% | 67% | 49% | 69% | 66% | 40% | 68% | 59% |
Lancaster County | 51% | 36% | 61% | 40% | 60% | 56% | 35% | 59% | 49% |
Lebanon County | 50% | 39% | 58% | 40% | 58% | 54% | 35% | 58% | 45% |
Lehigh County | 49% | 35% | 58% | 37% | 58% | 54% | 30% | 58% | 45% |
Montgomery County | 58% | 45% | 68% | 49% | 70% | 66% | 41% | 68% | 59% |
Schuylkill County | 49% | 42% | 56% | 40% | 53% | 49% | 32% | 55% | 43% |
2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | |
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United States | 105,405,100 | 122,295,345 | 131,257,328 | 129,067,662 | 136,669,237 | ||||
Pennsylvania | 4,912,185 | 3,581,989 | 5,765,764 | 4,092,652 | 5,995,137 | 5,742,040 | 3,495,866 | 6,115,402 | 5,012,555 |
Berks County | 135,163 | 102,528 | 164,487 | 116,933 | 180,000 | 170,320 | 101,845 | 183,065 | 144,426 |
Berks County Regions | |||||||||
Central | |||||||||
Northeast | |||||||||
South | |||||||||
Southeast | |||||||||
West | |||||||||
Reading city | |||||||||
Berks County Peers | |||||||||
Chester County | 187,562 | 142,814 | 230,823 | 173,397 | 254,354 | 251,973 | 155,798 | 268,800 | 236,775 |
Lancaster County | 175,317 | 126,549 | 221,278 | 150,602 | 228,137 | 222,436 | 140,773 | 241,112 | 202,224 |
Lebanon County | 45,880 | 36,146 | 55,665 | 39,588 | 58,297 | 56,580 | 36,367 | 61,845 | 49,108 |
Lehigh County | 116,280 | 84,896 | 145,091 | 94,030 | 152,473 | 147,002 | 81,552 | 160,993 | 128,606 |
Montgomery County | 332,422 | 260,803 | 399,591 | 295,369 | 422,419 | 412,200 | 260,926 | 434,687 | 381,446 |
Schuylkill County | 58,300 | 49,025 | 65,269 | 47,213 | 63,057 | 57,727 | 37,712 | 62,869 | 48,718 |
INDICATORS | TREND | BERKS COUNTY |
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Tourism Spending | ![]() |
Voter Registration Rate | ![]() |
Voter Participation Rate | ![]() |
Average Charitable Giving | ![]() |
Contributions as a Percentage of Income | ![]() |
Households With Internet Access | Not Applicable |
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments | ![]() |
Toxic Chemical Releases | ![]() |