Berks County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Berks County, PA, had a population of approximately 428,849. The racial makeup was about 79.9% White, 7.6% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, and 0.3% Native American. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised around 22.5%. The county's median household income was approximately $61,917, and the poverty rate stood at about 12.1%. Around 23.8% of residents had a bachelor's degree or higher. The county's population was fairly distributed across various age groups, with a median age of 40.3 years.

As of 2023, Berks County, PA's median home value is approximately $197,000. The county has experienced a steady annual appreciation rate of about 6.5%. The median rent is roughly $1,200 per month. Homeownership rate hovers around 73%, while the vacancy rate is approximately 7%. The average household size is 2.7 people. Housing units total around 164,000, with about 71% being single-family homes. The market is somewhat competitive, with homes typically selling in 30-45 days.

As of the latest updates in 2023, Berks County, PA, is preparing for various local elections, including positions such as County Commissioners, Judges, School Board Members, and Municipal Offices.

Key information includes:

• Voter Registration Deadline: October 23, 2023
• Election Day: November 7, 2023

Candidates for Berks County Commissioner:

1. Christian Y. Leinbach (Republican, Incumbent)
2. Michael Rivera (Republican, Incumbent)
3. Kevin R. Barnhardt (Democrat)
4. Lucine Sihelnik (Democrat)

Judicial Candidates:

• Judge of the Court of Common Pleas:
  • James M. Lillis (Cross-filed, both Democrat and Republican)
  • Tina Boyd Lao (Republican)
  • Melissa Cushwa (Democrat)

School Board Elections:

• Varies by district, with numerous candidates running in local school districts like Reading, Wyomissing, and Fleetwood.

Voter turnout in recent local elections has typically been around 30%-40%. Note that official candidacy lists and other specifics may change, so always

As of the most recent data, around 88.5% of Berks County, PA residents aged 25 and older hold at least a high school diploma, which is slightly below the national average of 88.6% and Pennsylvania's state average of 90.2%. Furthermore, approximately 22.8% of Berks County residents possess a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.1% and the state average of 31.4%. These figures suggest that Berks County is relatively aligned with broader educational trends but slightly lags behind both national and state averages in higher education attainment.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau data

As of the latest data, Berks County, PA, has an employment rate of approximately 95.1%, with about 214,000 individuals in the labor force. The top industries in the county include manufacturing (accounting for around 18% of employment), healthcare and social assistance (16%), retail trade (11%), and education services (10%).

When compared to national averages, where manufacturing accounts for 8.5% and healthcare and social assistance for 13% of employment, Berks County has a significantly higher concentration in manufacturing. The state of Pennsylvania has a similar trend, though with manufacturing at about 11% and healthcare at 15%, Berks County still shows a higher manufacturing employment rate than the state average.

Overall, Berks County's employment landscape is distinctive due to its robust manufacturing sector and significant health and social services employment.

As of the latest data, the median household income in Berks County, PA is approximately $65,000. Comparatively, the national median household income stands at about $68,700, and the Pennsylvania state median is around $63,500. These figures indicate that Berks County's median household income is slightly below the national average but higher than the state average.

This data reflects economic conditions as reported by recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, providing a clear comparison of local, state, and national income levels.

As of recent data, Berks County, PA, has a crime rate of approximately 2,200 incidents per 100,000 residents annually. Below is a statistical breakdown of various types of crimes:

These statistics indicate that property crimes, particularly larceny-theft, are the most common in Berks County. Violent crime rates, while present, remain significantly lower in comparison.