Regional Facts & Figures

Name
Berks County was named after Berkshire, England, home of William Penn's family. Likewise, Reading was named after the main town in Berkshire.

Population
Berks County: 373,638 (Census 2000)
Reading (county seat): 81,207 (Census 2000)

Area
Berks County: 864 square miles
Reading: 10.3 square miles

Elevation
Range: 200 to 1,500 feet above sea level
Average: 640 feet above sea level

In Case of Emergency
Residents or visitors of Berks County can dial 911 in case of emergency for fire, police, and ambulance.

Here's a quick snapshot of Berks County
For a comprehensive reference source, please click on Berks Economic Partnership to view and access detailed information on our region.