Editing Berks County, Pennsylvania

{{Short description|County in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{redirect|Berks County|the county of England|Berkshire}}
{{distinguish|Bucks County, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Berks County
 | state                = Pennsylvania
 | seal                 = Berks County Seal.png
 | founded date         = March 11
 | founded year         = 1752
 | named for            = [[Berkshire]], England
 | seat wl              = Reading
 | largest city wl      = Reading
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 866
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 857
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 9.2
 | area percentage      = 1.1%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 428849
 | density_sq_mi        = 495
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | web                  = www.berkspa.gov
 | ex image             = View of Reading area from Pagoda.jpg
 | ex image size        = 250
 | ex image cap         = [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], the largest city in the county and fourth-largest in [[Pennsylvania]], in October 2010
 | district             = 4th
 | district2            = 6th
 | district3            = 9th
 | footnotes            = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=Pennsylvania|designation1_date=May 12, 1982<ref name="PAHMDB">{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|title=PHMC Historical Markers Search|work=Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission|publisher=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|format=Searchable database|access-date=January 25, 2014|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321233735/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
 | flag                 = Flag of Berks County, Pennsylvania.svg
}}

'''Berks County''' ([[Pennsylvania Dutch language|Pennsylvania Dutch]]: ''Barricks Kaundi'') is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county's population was 428,849.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42011.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703084659/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42011.html|archive-date=July 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], the [[List of municipalities in Pennsylvania|fourth-most populous city]] in the state.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The county is part of the [[South Central Pennsylvania]] and [[Delaware Valley]] 
regions of the state.{{efn|Includes Lancaster, York, Berks, Montgomery, Dauphin, Bucks, Cumberland, Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware, Franklin, Lebanon, Adams and Perry Counties}}

The county borders [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] to its north, [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]] to its north, [[Lebanon County, Pennsylvania|Lebanon]] and [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]] counties to its west, [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]] to its south, and [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] to its east. The county is approximately {{convert|26|mi|km}} southwest of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], the state's third-largest city, and {{convert|50|mi|km}} northwest of [[Philadelphia]], the state's largest city.

The [[Schuylkill River]], a {{convert|135|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} tributary of the [[Delaware River]], flows through Berks County. The county is part of the Reading, PA [[metropolitan statistical area]] (MSA), which in turn is part of the [[Delaware Valley|Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area]] known as the [[Philadelphia]]-Reading-[[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], PA-[[New Jersey|NJ]]-[[Delaware|DE]]-[[Maryland|MD]] [[Delaware Valley|combined statistical area]] (CSA).

==History==
Reading developed during the 1740s when inhabitants of northern [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]] sent several petitions requesting that a separate county be established. With the help of [[Germans|German]] immigrant [[Conrad Weiser]], the county was formed on March 11, 1752, from parts of [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]], [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]], and [[Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia County]].<ref>''The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1809'', 18 vols. (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Wm. Stanley Ray, 1898), [https://archive.org/details/statutesatlarge06martgoog vol. 5 1744-1759], pages 133-140, 502-503, Chapter CCCXCII, "An Act for Erecting Part of the Counties Of Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster into a Separate County," March 11, 1752, confirmed by the King in Council, May 10, 1753, creation of Berks County, digital images, Internet Archive (https://archive.org : July 26, 2018).</ref>

It was named after [[Berkshire]] the English county in which [[William Penn]]'s family home lay, of which the original town of [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] is the county town and which is traditionally abbreviated "Berks". Berks County began much larger than it is today. The northwestern parts of the county went to the founding of [[Northumberland County, Pennsylvania|Northumberland County]] in 1772 and [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]] in 1811, when it reached its current size. 

In 2005, Berks County was added to the [[Delaware Valley]] Planning Area due to a fast-growing population and close proximity to the other communities.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|866|sqmi}}, {{convert|857|sqmi}} of which is land and {{convert|9.2|sqmi}} (1.1%) of which is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 5, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> 

Most of the county is drained by the [[Schuylkill River]], but an area in the northeast is drained by the [[Lehigh River]] via the [[Little Lehigh Creek]] and areas are drained by the [[Susquehanna River]] via the [[Swatara Creek]] in the northwest and the [[Conestoga River]], which starts in Berks County between [[Morgantown, Pennsylvania|Morgantown]] and [[Elverson, Pennsylvania|Elverson]] in the county's extreme south. It has a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfa'' except for some ''Dfb'' on [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] at the northern boundary.) The [[hardiness zone]] is mostly 7a with 6b in some higher northern and eastern areas. [https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]] (north)
* [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] (northeast)
* [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] (east)
* [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]] (southeast)
* [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]] (southwest)
* [[Lebanon County, Pennsylvania|Lebanon County]] (west)

===National protected area===
* [[Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site]] in [[Elverson, Pennsylvania|Elverson]]

===State protected area===
* [[French Creek State Park]]
* [[Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center]]

===Major roads and highways===
[[File:2022-08-16 16 20 06 View east along Interstate 78 and U.S. Route 22 (William Penn Highway) from the overpass for Power Drive in Upper Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|[[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|I-78]]/[[U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania|US Route 22]] eastbound in Berks County]]
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{jct|state=PA|I|76|PATP}}
* {{jct|state=PA|I|176}}
* {{jct|state=PA|I|78|US|22}}
* {{jct|state=PA|US|222}}
* {{jct|state=PA|US-Bus|222|dab1=Reading}}
* {{jct|state=PA|US|422}}
* {{jct|state=PA|US-Bus|422|dab1=Reading}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|10}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|12}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|23}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|29}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|61}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|73}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|100}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|143}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|183}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|272}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|345}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|401}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|419}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|501}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|562}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|568}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|625}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|645}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|662}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|724}}
* {{jct|state=PA|PA|737}}
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 30189
|1800= 32407
|1810= 43146
|1820= 46275
|1830= 53152
|1840= 64569
|1850= 77129
|1860= 93818
|1870= 106701
|1880= 122597
|1890= 137327
|1900= 159615
|1910= 183222
|1920= 200854
|1930= 231717
|1940= 241884
|1950= 255740
|1960= 275414
|1970= 296382
|1980= 312509
|1990= 336523
|2000= 373638
|2010= 411442
|2020= 428849
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 5, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412035529/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 12, 2013}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 5, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/pa190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 24, 1995|access-date=March 5, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 5, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2019<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], the county was 76.9% white non-Hispanic, 4.9% black, 0.3% Indian, 1.3% Asian, and 2.5% were two or more races. 16.4% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA|title=Census 2010: Pennsylvania |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> Historically there is a large [[Pennsylvania Dutch]] population. It is known as part of [[Pennsylvania Dutch Country]]. More recently there is a large [[Stateside Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]] population centered in the city of Reading. There were 411,442 people, 154,356 households, and 106,532 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|479|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 164,827 housing units at an average density of {{convert|191.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.

According to Muninet Guide's 2010 analysis, the median household income for Berks County is $54,105.

There were 154,356 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.1 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

Berks County is home to an [[Old Order Mennonite]] community consisting of about 160 families, located in the East Penn Valley near [[Kutztown, Pennsylvania|Kutztown]] and [[Fleetwood, Pennsylvania|Fleetwood]].<ref name=berksmont82318>{{cite news|last=Orth|first=Richard L.T.|title=A Look Back in History Mennonite Plain Dutch families call Kutztown area home|work=BerksMont News|date=August 23, 2018|url=https://www.berksmontnews.com/opinion/a-look-back-in-history-mennonite-plain-dutch-families-call/article_3a8ae87a-b672-5680-bc0c-ba2cffb4d0fe.html|access-date=September 26, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926052254/https://www.berksmontnews.com/opinion/a-look-back-in-history-mennonite-plain-dutch-families-call/article_3a8ae87a-b672-5680-bc0c-ba2cffb4d0fe.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Old Order Mennonites first bought land in the area in 1949.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shaner|first=Richard|title=Kutztown welcomes Old Order Mennonites in 1949|work=BerksMont News|date=July 24, 2009|url=http://www.berksmontnews.com/article/BM/20090724/OPINION03/307249992|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016123938/http://www.berksmontnews.com/article/BM/20090724/OPINION03/307249992|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, Old Order Mennonites bought two large farms in the [[Oley Valley]]. The Old Order Mennonites in the area belong to the [[Groffdale Conference Mennonite Church]] and use the [[horse and buggy]] as transportation. There are several farms in the area belonging to the Old Order Mennonite community and meetinghouses are located near Kutztown and Fleetwood.<ref name=berksmont92116>{{cite news|last=Orth|first=Richard L.T.|title=A Look Back in History: The Old Order Mennonite Sect at Kutztown also preserving the Historic Oley Valley|work=BerksMont News|date=September 21, 2016|url=http://www.berksmontnews.com/article/BM/20160921/NEWS/160929999|access-date=October 15, 2017}}</ref>

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Berks County, Pennsylvania – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Berks County, Pennsylvania |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US42011&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Berks County, Pennsylvania |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US42011&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Berks County, Pennsylvania |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US42011&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|317,025
|316,406
|style='background: #ffffe6; |291,258
|84.85%
|76.90%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |67.92%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|12,478
|16,517
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18,087
|3.34%
|4.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.22%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|397
|536
|style='background: #ffffe6; |450
|0.11%
|0.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|3,713
|5,244
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,225
|0.99%
|1.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.45%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|57
|58
|style='background: #ffffe6; |61
|0.02%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|320
|374
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,551
|0.09%
|0.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.36%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|3,291
|4,952
|style='background: #ffffe6; |11,667
|0.88%
|1.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.72%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|36,537
|67,355
|style='background: #ffffe6; |99,550
|9.73%
|16.37%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |23.21%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''373,638 '''
|'''411,442'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''428,849'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

==Metropolitan and Combined Statistical Area==
{{See also|List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|List of Combined Statistical Areas}}
[[File:Delawarevalleymap.png|thumb|Location of Berks County in the [[Delaware Valley|Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA]]]]
The [[Office of Management and Budget]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb|title=Office of Management and Budget|date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> has designated Berks County as the '''Reading, PA [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA)'''. As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]]<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/ |title=Decennial Census by Decades |access-date=February 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206105214/http://www.census.gov/2010census/ |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> the metropolitan area is the 10th-most populous in [[Pennsylvania]] and the [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|128th-most populous]] in the U.S. with a population of 413,491. 

Berks County is part of the larger '''[[Delaware Valley|Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA)''', the largest in Pennsylvania and [[List of Combined Statistical Areas|eighth-most populous]] in the nation with a population of 7,067,807.

==Government==
[[File:Berks County Courthouse (Berks County, Pennsylvania - September 2010).jpg|thumb|Berks County Courthouse in [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]]]]
===State Senate===
* [[Judy Schwank]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 11]]
* [[Tracy Pennycuick]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 24]]
* [[Dave Argall]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 29]]
* [[Katie Muth]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 44]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=Berks|title=Find Your Legislator|last=Center|first=Legislativate Data Processing|website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.|language=en|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>

===State House of Representatives===
* [[Barry Jozwiak]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 5]]
* [[David H. Zimmerman]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 99]]
* [[Jamie Barton (politician)|Jamie Barton]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 124]]
* [[Mark Rozzi]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 126]]
* [[Manny Guzman Jr.]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 127]]
* [[Mark Gillen]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 128]]
* [[Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 129]]
* [[David Maloney (politician)|David Maloney]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 130]]<ref name=":0" />

===U.S. House of Representatives===
* [[Madeleine Dean]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district]]
* [[Chrissy Houlahan]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], [[Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district]]
* [[Dan Meuser]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district]]
<big>'''U.S. Senate'''</big>

* [[Dave McCormick]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
* [[John Fetterman]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]

==Politics==
As of September 21, 2023, there were 253,186 registered voters in Berks County.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pennsylvania Department of State |date=July 17, 2023 |title=Voter registration statistics by county |url=https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/currentvotestats.xls |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=dos.pa.gov}} ''dos.pa.gov''</ref>
* [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]: 107,690 (42.53%)
* [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]: 104,430 (41.24%)
* [[Independent (United States)|Independent]]: 30,154 (11.91%)
* [[Third party (United States)|Minor parties]]: 10,912 (4.31%)

Berks County is strongly Republican, but is still competitive. As of 2023, the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] maintained a total registration edge over Democrats in Berks County. At the top of the Pennsylvania ticket in November 2022, Berks County split its votes, supporting [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Josh Shapiro]] for [[Governor of Pennsylvania|governor]] and Republican [[Mehmet Oz]] for [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]. The last Democratic presidential candidate to win the county was [[Barack Obama]] in [[2008 United States presidential election in Pennsylvania|2008]].

{{PresHead|place=Berks County, Pennsylvania|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|116,677|91,125|2,624|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|109,926|93,116|3,511|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|96,626|78,437|9,022|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|84,702|83,011|2,963|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|80,513|97,047|2,951|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|87,122|76,309|1,056|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|71,273|59,150|4,874|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|56,289|49,887|15,542|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|52,939|46,031|32,437|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|70,153|41,040|1,251|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|74,605|37,849|691|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|60,576|36,449|10,360|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|54,452|50,994|2,107|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|66,172|36,563|3,392|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|50,623|49,877|8,424|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|36,726|73,444|476|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|61,743|50,572|391|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|57,258|42,349|320|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|51,720|45,874|1,074|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|35,608|43,075|3,043|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|35,274|43,889|2,247|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|32,111|53,301|1,530|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|26,699|56,907|4,721|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|27,073|29,763|16,187|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|47,073|18,960|7,481|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|28,186|17,220|9,487|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|22,221|18,361|6,009|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|11,937|19,267|3,565|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|3,032|16,430|15,098|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|13,642|17,381|2,245|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|15,539|16,357|1,683|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|13,952|19,013|628|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|14,318|18,099|665|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|10,077|18,602|312|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|10,626|18,105|261|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|9,587|16,484|226|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|9,225|16,959|181|Pennsylvania}}
|}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Berks County, Pennsylvania|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/pennsylvania-senate-results}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|108,058|89,063|6,521|Pennsylvania}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}
The first time since 1964 that a Democrat carried Berks in a Presidential election occurred in 2008, with [[Barack Obama]] receiving 53.9% of the vote to [[John McCain]]'s 44.7%. The other three statewide winners ([[Rob McCord]] for treasurer, [[Jack Wagner (politician)|Jack Wagner]] for auditor general, and [[Tom Corbett]] for attorney general) also carried it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?ElectionID=28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116081121/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?ElectionID=28|archive-date=November 16, 2012|website=electionreturns.state.pa.us|title=2008 General Election - Pennsylvania Department of State - Elections Info}}</ref> While Republicans have controlled the commissioner majority most of the time and continue to control most county row offices, Democrats have become more competitive in Berks in recent years. In the 2012 Presidential election, [[Mitt Romney]] carried the county by approximately a one-percent margin, 49.6% to 48.6%, however, in 2016, [[Donald Trump]] carried Berks by a much larger margin of 52.9% to 42.7%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.co.berks.pa.us/results/default.aspx|access-date=November 16, 2016|title=Election Results}}</ref>{{Pie chart|thumb=left|caption=Chart of Voter Registration|label1=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|value1=42.53|color1={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|label2=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|value2=41.36|color2={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|label3=[[Independent (United States)|Independent]]|value3=11.78|color3={{party color|Independent (United States)}}|label4=[[Third party (United States)|Other Parties]]|value4=4.32|color4={{party color|Green Party (United States)}}}}

==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
* [[Albright College]]
* [[Alvernia University]]
* [[Kutztown University of Pennsylvania]]
* [[Penn State Berks]]
* [[Reading Area Community College]]

===Public school districts===
[[File:Map of Berks County Pennsylvania School Districts.png|thumb|Map of Berks County's public school districts]]
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42011_berks/DC20SD_C42011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720230545/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42011_berks/DC20SD_C42011.pdf |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 census - school district reference map: Berks County, PA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 20, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42011_berks/DC20SD_C42011_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Antietam School District]]
* [[Boyertown Area School District]]
* [[Brandywine Heights Area School District]]
* [[Conrad Weiser Area School District]]
* [[Daniel Boone Area School District]]
* [[Exeter Township School District]]
* [[Fleetwood Area School District]]
* [[Governor Mifflin School District]]
* [[Hamburg Area School District]]
* [[Kutztown Area School District]]
* [[Muhlenberg School District]]
* [[Oley Valley School District]]
* [[Reading School District]]
* [[Schuylkill Valley School District]]
* [[Tulpehocken Area School District]]
* [[Twin Valley School District]]
* [[Upper Perkiomen School District]]
* [[Wilson School District]]
* [[Wyomissing Area School District]]
{{div col end}}

===Private high schools===
* [[Berks Catholic High School]] in [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]]
* Berks Christian School in [[Birdsboro, Pennsylvania|Birdsboro]]
* [[Blue Mountain Academy]], a [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]] boarding school in [[Tilden Township, Pennsylvania|Tilden Township]]
* [[Conestoga Christian School]] in [[Morgantown, Pennsylvania]]
* Fairview Christian School in Reading
* Gateway Christian School in [[Mertztown, Pennsylvania|Mertztown]]
* Lighthouse Christian Academy in [[Lyons, Pennsylvania|Lyons]]
* The King's Academy in [[Mohrsville, Pennsylvania|Mohrsville]]
* [[Pine Forge Academy]], a [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]] boarding school in [[Pine Forge, Pennsylvania|Pine Forge]]

===Technical and trade schools===
* Berks Technical Institute
* Pace Institute
* [[Reading Hospital]] School of Nursing
* Berks Career and Technology Center (east campus in Oley, west campus in Leesport)

=== Libraries ===
In July of 1985, after a year long study, a 97-page report titled Public Library Service for Berks County was released, recommending a "county-wide system of federated libraries...and to operate a center supportive of all the libraries in the system." Following this report, the Berks County Public Library System was officially established by the Berks County Board of Commissioners in 1986.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=System History {{!}} Berks County Public Libraries |url=https://www.berkslibraries.org/about-us/system-history |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=www.berkslibraries.org}}</ref>

The Berks County Public Library (BCPL) system consists of 19 member libraries and 4 branches:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a Library {{!}} Berks County Public Libraries |url=https://www.berkslibraries.org/find-a-library |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=www.berkslibraries.org}}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|content=* Bernville Area Community Library
* Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library
* Boone Area Library
* Boyertown Community Library
* Brandywine Community Library
* Exeter Community Library
* Fleetwood Area Public Library
* Hamburg Public Library
* Kutztown Community Library
* Mifflin Community Library
* Muhlenberg Community Library
* Reading Public Library - Main Branch
* Reading Public Library - Northeast Branch
* Reading Public Library - Northwest Branch
* Reading Public Library - Southeast Branch
* Robesonia Community Library
* Schuylkill Valley Community Library
* Sinking Spring Public Library
* Spring Township Library
* Village Library
* Wernersville Public Library
* West Lawn-Wyomissing Hills Library
* Womelsdorf Community Library}}
During the first year, the 12 libraries that were founding charter members served 45,000 registered borrowers and circulated over 470,000 items. Two branches in the county ([[Hamburg Public Library (Hamburg, Pennsylvania)|Hamburg Public Library]] and the main branch of the [[Reading Public Library]]) were funded by grants from [[Andrew Carnegie]]. At this time, county funding for the library system totaled just $125,000. 

As the system grew with 4 more libraries joining, the funding from the county grew to $325,000 in the year 1990. In 1990, the first public access computers were installed in System member libraries. One year later, the system took over control of a county bookmobile.

Several significant things for the library system took place in the year 1996 for its 10 year anniversary. During this year, the library system began van deliveries between branches and initiated involvement in the first ever state-wide Summer Reading program, Pennsylvania Patchwork. The system also began to offer access to the Internet. The following year, the first library automation network was installed across the system to connect the branch's collections.

In the year 2000, the number of member libraries totaled 19. The BCPL system was awarded a $225,500 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These funds were used to expand the internet access points available in the libraries and create a training lab at Reading Public Library. E-books and e-book readers were added to the system in this year as well. In 2002, after a year of development, a children's bookmobile called the Bookasaurus began to visit local preschool programs. In 2008, the system added an Early Literacy Station (ELS) to every branch in the system, which is a specific pre-loaded computer tailored to younger patrons' needs and interests. The following year, due to state-subsidized funding cuts, the county bookmobile ceased operations after more than 30 years. During this year, however, the library hosted its most successful Summer Reading yet, with over half a million books read over the course of the program.

The library system began to participate in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative in 2014.

As of 2020, the system has over 130,000 registered cardholders with a collection size of just under 950,000 items.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Library System 35th Anniversary {{!}} Berks County Public Libraries |url=https://www.berkslibraries.org/about-us/35th-anniversary |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=www.berkslibraries.org}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[Reading Public Museum]] in Reading is an art, science, and history museum.

The [[Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps]] are an all-age [[Drum and bugle corps (modern)|drum corps]] based in Berks County. Founded in 1957, the corps is a charter member [[Drum Corps Associates]] and an 11-time DCA World Champion.

Reading is home to Berks Opera Company, founded in 2007 as Berks Opera Workshop.

There are two [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state parks]] and one natural area in Berks County.
* [[French Creek State Park]], a former [[Recreational Demonstration Area]], straddles the Berks and Chester County line.
* [[Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center]] is south of [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] on land once owned by [[Jacob Nolde]], a Reading businessman and Pennsylvania environmentalist.
* Ruth Zimmerman Natural Area, part of the William Penn Forest District in Oley.<ref>{{Cite web |title=public documents |url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20031119.pdf |website=www.dcnr.state.pa.us}}{{dead link|date=April 2024}}</ref>

There are two [[Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission|Pennsylvania Historic Sites]] in Berks County.
* [[Conrad Weiser Homestead]] near [[Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania|Womelsdorf]]
* [[Daniel Boone Homestead]] near [[Birdsboro, Pennsylvania|Birdsboro]]

The Old Morlatton Village in Douglassville is maintained by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County. The village is composed of four historic structures: White Horse Inn, George Douglass Mansion, Bridge keeper's House, and the Mouns Jones House, constructed in 1716, which is the oldest recorded building in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historicpreservationtrust.org/|title=Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County – Dedicated to Preserving Berks County Properties|website=historicpreservationtrust.org}}</ref>

West Reading in home to the annual Art on the Avenue, which reached its 25th year in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://berksluxury.com/art-on-the-avenue-2018/|title=Art on the Avenue 2018 Photos|date=June 16, 2018|website=BerksLuxury.com|language=en-US|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>

== Media ==
Berks County is home to several media outlets, including:
* Berks Community Television (BCTV)<ref>{{cite book |title=Community Television Review |date=1986 |publisher=National Federation of Local Cable Programmers. |page=23 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UkqAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Berks+community+television%22+BCTV}}</ref>
* ''[[Reading Eagle]]'', the daily newspaper, based in Reading and founded in 1867
* [[WEEU]] (830 AM), a radio station broadcasting news and [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] talk shows
* [[WFMZ-TV]], an [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]-based news channel that covers the region
* [[WRFY-FM]] (102.5 FM "Y102"), a commercial radio station licensed to serve Reading

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Berks County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png|right|thumb|Map of Berks County with municipal labels showing cities and boroughs (in red), townships (in white), and census-designated places (in blue)]]
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: [[List of cities in Pennsylvania|cities]], [[List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania|boroughs]], [[List of townships in Pennsylvania|townships]], and [[List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania#Towns|towns]]. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Berks County:

===City===
* [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] (county seat)

===Boroughs===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Adamstown, Pennsylvania|Adamstown]] (mostly in [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]])
* [[Bally, Pennsylvania|Bally]]
* [[Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania|Bechtelsville]]
* [[Bernville, Pennsylvania|Bernville]]
* [[Birdsboro, Pennsylvania|Birdsboro]]
* [[Boyertown, Pennsylvania|Boyertown]]
* [[Centerport, Pennsylvania|Centerport]]
* [[Fleetwood, Pennsylvania|Fleetwood]]
* [[Hamburg, Pennsylvania|Hamburg]]
* [[Kenhorst, Pennsylvania|Kenhorst]]
* [[Kutztown, Pennsylvania|Kutztown]]
* [[Laureldale, Pennsylvania|Laureldale]]
* [[Leesport, Pennsylvania|Leesport]]
* [[Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania|Lenhartsville]]
* [[Lyons, Pennsylvania|Lyons]]
* [[Mohnton, Pennsylvania|Mohnton]]
* [[Mount Penn, Pennsylvania|Mount Penn]]
* [[New Morgan, Pennsylvania|New Morgan]]
* [[Robesonia, Pennsylvania|Robesonia]]
* [[St. Lawrence, Pennsylvania|St. Lawrence]]
* [[Shillington, Pennsylvania|Shillington]]
* [[Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania|Shoemakersville]]
* [[Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania|Sinking Spring]]
* [[Topton, Pennsylvania|Topton]]
* [[Wernersville, Pennsylvania|Wernersville]]
* [[West Reading, Pennsylvania|West Reading]]
* [[Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania|Womelsdorf]]
* [[Wyomissing, Pennsylvania|Wyomissing]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
[[File:Farmstead in winter, Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|A farm in [[Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Windsor Township]] in January 2008]]
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Albany]]
* [[Alsace Township, Pennsylvania|Alsace]]
* [[Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Amity]]
* [[Bern Township, Pennsylvania|Bern]]
* [[Bethel Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Bethel]]
* [[Brecknock Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Brecknock]]
* [[Caernarvon Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Caernarvon]]
* [[Centre Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Centre]]
* [[Colebrookdale Township, Pennsylvania|Colebrookdale]]
* [[Cumru Township, Pennsylvania|Cumru]]
* [[District Township, Pennsylvania|District]]
* [[Douglass Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Douglass]]
* [[Earl Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Earl]]
* [[Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Exeter]]
* [[Greenwich Township, Pennsylvania|Greenwich]]
* [[Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Heidelberg]]
* [[Hereford Township, Pennsylvania|Hereford]]
* [[Jefferson Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Jefferson]]
* [[Longswamp Township, Pennsylvania|Longswamp]]
* [[Lower Alsace Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Alsace]]
* [[Lower Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Heidelberg]]
* [[Maidencreek Township, Pennsylvania|Maidencreek]]
* [[Marion Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Marion]]
* [[Maxatawny Township, Pennsylvania|Maxatawny]]
* [[Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Muhlenberg]]
* [[North Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania|North Heidelberg]]
* [[Oley Township, Pennsylvania|Oley]]
* [[Ontelaunee Township, Pennsylvania|Ontelaunee]]
* [[Penn Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Penn]]
* [[Perry Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Perry]]
* [[Pike Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Pike]]
* [[Richmond Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Richmond]]
* [[Robeson Township, Pennsylvania|Robeson]]
* [[Rockland Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Rockland]]
* [[Ruscombmanor Township, Pennsylvania|Ruscombmanor]]
* [[South Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania|South Heidelberg]]
* [[Spring Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Spring]]
* [[Tilden Township, Pennsylvania|Tilden]]
* [[Tulpehocken Township, Pennsylvania|Tulpehocken]]
* [[Union Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Union]]
* [[Upper Bern Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Bern]]
* [[Upper Tulpehocken Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Tulpehocken]]
* [[Washington Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Washington]]
* [[Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Windsor]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
[[Census-designated place]]s are geographical areas designated by the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Alleghenyville, Pennsylvania|Alleghenyville]]
* [[Alsace Manor, Pennsylvania|Alsace Manor]]
* [[Amity Gardens, Pennsylvania|Amity Gardens]]
* [[Baumstown, Pennsylvania|Baumstown]]
* [[Bethel, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Bethel]]
* [[Blandon, Pennsylvania|Blandon]]
* [[Bowers, Pennsylvania|Bowers]]
* [[Colony Park, Pennsylvania|Colony Park]]
* [[Dauberville, Pennsylvania|Dauberville]]
* [[Douglassville, Pennsylvania|Douglassville]]
* [[Dryville, Pennsylvania|Dryville]]
* [[Edenburg, Pennsylvania|Edenburg]]
* [[Flying Hills, Pennsylvania|Flying Hills]]
* [[Fox Chase, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Fox Chase]]
* [[Frystown, Pennsylvania|Frystown]]
* [[Gibraltar, Pennsylvania|Gibraltar]]
* [[Gouglersville, Pennsylvania|Gouglersville]]
* [[Greenfields, Pennsylvania|Greenfields]]
* [[Grill, Pennsylvania|Grill]]
* [[Hereford, Pennsylvania|Hereford]]
* [[Hyde Park, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Hyde Park]]
* [[Jacksonwald, Pennsylvania|Jacksonwald]]
* [[Kempton, Pennsylvania|Kempton]]
* [[Kutztown University, Pennsylvania|Kutztown University]]
* [[Lincoln Park, Pennsylvania|Lincoln Park]]
* [[Lorane, Pennsylvania|Lorane]]
* [[Maxatawny, Pennsylvania|Maxatawny]]
* [[Mertztown, Pennsylvania|Mertztown]]
* [[Mohrsville, Pennsylvania|Mohrsville]]
* [[Montrose Manor, Pennsylvania|Montrose Manor]]
* [[Morgantown, Pennsylvania|Morgantown]]
* [[Mount Aetna, Pennsylvania|Mount Aetna]]
* [[Muhlenberg Park, Pennsylvania|Muhlenberg Park]]
* [[New Berlinville, Pennsylvania|New Berlinville]]
* [[New Jerusalem, Pennsylvania|New Jerusalem]]
* [[New Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania|New Schaefferstown]]
* [[Oley, Pennsylvania|Oley]]
* [[Pennside, Pennsylvania|Pennside]]
* [[Penn State Berks, Pennsylvania (CDP)|Penn State Berks]]
* [[Pennwyn, Pennsylvania|Pennwyn]]
* [[Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania|Rehrersburg]]
* [[Reiffton, Pennsylvania|Reiffton]]
* [[Riverview Park, Pennsylvania|Riverview Park]]
* [[Schubert, Pennsylvania|Schubert]]
* [[Shartlesville, Pennsylvania|Shartlesville]]
* [[South Temple, Pennsylvania|South Temple]]
* [[Springmont, Pennsylvania|Springmont]]
* [[Spring Ridge, Pennsylvania|Spring Ridge]]
* [[Stony Creek Mills, Pennsylvania|Stony Creek Mills]]
* [[Stouchsburg, Pennsylvania|Stouchsburg]]
* [[Strausstown, Pennsylvania|Strausstown]]
* [[Temple, Pennsylvania|Temple]]
* [[Virginville, Pennsylvania|Virginville]]
* [[Walnuttown, Pennsylvania|Walnuttown]]
* [[West Hamburg, Pennsylvania|West Hamburg]]
* [[West Lawn, Pennsylvania|West Lawn]]
* [[West Wyomissing, Pennsylvania|West Wyomissing]]
* [[Whitfield, Pennsylvania|Whitfield]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Brownsville, Pennsylvania|Brownsville]]
* [[Blue Marsh, Pennsylvania|Blue Marsh]]
* [[Cacoosing, Pennsylvania|Cacoosing]]
* [[Geigertown, Pennsylvania|Geigertown]]
* [[Leinbachs, Pennsylvania|Leinbachs]]
* [[North Heidelberg, Pennsylvania|North Heidelberg]]
* [[Pine Swamp, Pennsylvania|Pine Swamp]]
* [[Plowville, Pennsylvania|Plowville]]
* [[Pricetown, Pennsylvania|Pricetown]]
* [[Scarlets Mill, Pennsylvania|Scarlets Mill]]
* [[State Hill, Pennsylvania|State Hill]]
* [[Wooltown, Pennsylvania|Wooltown]]
{{div col end}}

===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] of Berks County.<ref name="Archived copy"/>

'''†''' ''county seat''

'''CDP'''=''census designated population''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Rank
!City/Town/etc.
!Municipal type
!Population (2010 Census)
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 1
| ''' † [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]]'''
| City
| 88,082
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 2
| '''[[Wyomissing, Pennsylvania|Wyomissing]]'''
| Borough
| 10,461
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 3
| '''[[Blandon, Pennsylvania|Blandon]]'''
| CDP
| 7,152
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 4
| '''[[Shillington, Pennsylvania|Shillington]]'''
| Borough
| 5,273
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 5
| '''[[Birdsboro, Pennsylvania|Birdsboro]]'''
| Borough
| 5,163
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 6
| '''[[Kutztown, Pennsylvania|Kutztown]]'''
| Borough
| 5,012
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 7
| '''[[Whitfield, Pennsylvania|Whitfield]]'''
| CDP
| 4,733
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 8
| '''[[Hamburg, Pennsylvania|Hamburg]]'''
| Borough
| 4,289
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 9
| '''[[Lorane, Pennsylvania|Lorane]]'''
| CDP
| 4,236
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 10
| '''[[Pennside, Pennsylvania|Pennside]]'''
| CDP
| 4,215
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 11
| '''[[West Reading, Pennsylvania|West Reading]]'''
| Borough
| 4,212
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 12
| '''[[Reiffton, Pennsylvania|Reiffton]]'''
| CDP
| 4,178
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 13
| '''[[Fleetwood, Pennsylvania|Fleetwood]]'''
| Borough
| 4,085
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 14
| '''[[Boyertown, Pennsylvania|Boyertown]]'''
| Borough
| 4,055
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 15
| '''[[Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania|Sinking Spring]]'''
| Borough
| 4,008
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 16
| '''[[Laureldale, Pennsylvania|Laureldale]]'''
| Borough
| 3,911
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 17
| '''[[West Wyomissing, Pennsylvania|West Wyomissing]]'''
| CDP
| 3,407
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 18
| '''[[Amity Gardens, Pennsylvania|Amity Gardens]]'''
| CDP
| 3,402
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 19
| '''[[Jacksonwald, Pennsylvania|Jacksonwald]]'''
| CDP
| 3,393
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 20
| '''[[Riverview Park, Pennsylvania|Riverview Park]]'''
| CDP
| 3,380
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 21
| '''[[Mount Penn, Pennsylvania|Mount Penn]]'''
| Borough
| 3,106
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 22
| '''[[Mohnton, Pennsylvania|Mohnton]]'''
| Borough
| 3,043
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 23
| '''[[Kutztown University, Pennsylvania|Kutztown University]]'''
| CDP
| 2,918
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 24
| '''[[Kenhorst, Pennsylvania|Kenhorst]]'''
| Borough
| 2,877
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 25
| '''[[Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania|Womelsdorf]]'''
| Borough
| 2,810
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 26
| '''[[Flying Hills, Pennsylvania|Flying Hills]]'''
| CDP
| 2,568
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 27
| '''[[Hyde Park, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Hyde Park]]'''
| CDP
| 2,528
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 28
| '''[[Wernersville, Pennsylvania|Wernersville]]'''
| Borough
| 2,494
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 29
| '''[[Topton, Pennsylvania|Topton]]'''
| Borough
| 2,069
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 30
| '''[[Robesonia, Pennsylvania|Robesonia]]'''
| Borough
| 2,061
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 31
| '''[[West Hamburg, Pennsylvania|West Hamburg]]'''
| CDP
| 1,979
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 32
| '''[[Leesport, Pennsylvania|Leesport]]'''
| Borough
| 1,918
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 33
| '''[[Temple, Pennsylvania|Temple]]'''
| CDP
| 1,877
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 34
| '''[[St. Lawrence, Pennsylvania|St. Lawrence]]'''
| Borough
| 1,809
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 35
| '''[[West Lawn, Pennsylvania|West Lawn]]'''
| CDP
| 1,715
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 36
| '''[[Fox Chase, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Fox Chase]]'''
| CDP
| 1,622
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 37
| '''[[Lincoln Park, Pennsylvania|Lincoln Park]]'''
| CDP
| 1,615
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 38
| '''[[Grill, Pennsylvania|Grill]]'''
| CDP
| 1,468
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 39
| '''[[South Temple, Pennsylvania|South Temple]]'''
| CDP
| 1,424
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 40
| '''[[Muhlenberg Park, Pennsylvania|Muhlenberg Park]]'''
| CDP
| 1,420
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 41
| '''[[Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania|Shoemakersville]]'''
| Borough
| 1,378
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 42
| '''[[New Berlinville, Pennsylvania|New Berlinville]]'''
| CDP
| 1,368
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 43
| '''[[Oley, Pennsylvania|Oley]]'''
| CDP
| 1,282
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 44
| '''[[Greenfields, Pennsylvania|Greenfields]]'''
| CDP
| 1,170
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 45
| '''[[Alleghenyville, Pennsylvania|Alleghenyville]]'''
| CDP
| 1,134
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 46
| '''[[Bally, Pennsylvania|Bally]]'''
| Borough
| 1,090
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 47
| '''[[Colony Park, Pennsylvania|Colony Park]]'''
| CDP
| 1,076
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 48
| '''[[Stony Creek Mills, Pennsylvania|Stony Creek Mills]]'''
| CDP
| 1,045
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 49
| '''[[Spring Ridge, Pennsylvania|Spring Ridge]]'''
| CDP
| 1,003
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 50
| '''[[Bernville, Pennsylvania|Bernville]]'''
| Borough
| 955
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 51
| '''[[Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania|Bechtelsville]]'''
| Borough
| 942
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 52
| '''[[Hereford, Pennsylvania|Hereford]]'''
| CDP
| 930
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 53
| '''[[Dauberville, Pennsylvania|Dauberville]]'''
| CDP
| 848
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 54
| '''[[Morgantown, Pennsylvania|Morgantown]]'''
| CDP
| 826
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 55
| '''[[Pennwyn, Pennsylvania|Pennwyn]]'''
| CDP
| 780
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 56
| '''[[Springmont, Pennsylvania|Springmont]]'''
| CDP
| 724
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 57
| '''[[Edenburg, Pennsylvania|Edenburg]]'''
| CDP
| 681
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 58
| '''[[Gibraltar, Pennsylvania|Gibraltar]]'''
| CDP
| 680
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 59
| '''[[Mertztown, Pennsylvania|Mertztown]]'''
| CDP
| 664
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 60
| '''[[New Jerusalem, Pennsylvania|New Jerusalem]]'''
| CDP
| 649
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 61
| '''[[Montrose Manor, Pennsylvania|Montrose Manor]]'''
| CDP
| 604
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 62
| '''[[Stouchsburg, Pennsylvania|Stouchsburg]]'''
| CDP
| 600
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 63
| '''[[Gouglersville, Pennsylvania|Gouglersville]]'''
| CDP
| 548
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 64
| '''[[Bethel, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Bethel]]'''
| CDP
| 499
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 65
| '''[[Walnuttown, Pennsylvania|Walnuttown]]'''
| CDP
| 484
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| T-66
| '''[[Lyons, Pennsylvania|Lyons]]'''
| Borough
| 478
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| T-66
| '''[[Alsace Manor, Pennsylvania|Alsace Manor]]'''
| CDP
| 478
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 67
| '''[[Shartlesville, Pennsylvania|Shartlesville]]'''
| CDP
| 455
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 68
| '''[[Douglassville, Pennsylvania|Douglassville]]'''
| CDP
| 448
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 69
| '''[[Baumstown, Pennsylvania|Baumstown]]'''
| CDP
| 422
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 70
| '''[[Dryville, Pennsylvania|Dryville]]'''
| CDP
| 398
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 71
| '''[[Centerport, Pennsylvania|Centerport]]'''
| Borough
| 387
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 72
| '''[[Mohrsville, Pennsylvania|Mohrsville]]'''
| CDP
| 383
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 73
| '''[[Frystown, Pennsylvania|Frystown]]'''
| CDP
| 380
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 74
| '''[[Mount Aetna, Pennsylvania|Mount Aetna]]'''
| CDP
| 354
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 75
| '''[[Strausstown, Pennsylvania|Strausstown]]'''
| Borough
| 342
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 76
| '''[[Bowers, Pennsylvania|Bowers]]'''
| CDP
| 326
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 77
| '''[[Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania|Rehrersburg]]'''
| CDP
| 319
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 78
| '''[[Virginville, Pennsylvania|Virginville]]'''
| CDP
| 309
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 79
| '''[[Schubert, Pennsylvania|Schubert]]'''
| CDP
| 249
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 80
| '''[[New Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania|New Schaefferstown]]'''
| CDP
| 223
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 81
| '''[[Kempton, Pennsylvania|Kempton]]'''
| CDP
| 169
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 82
| '''[[Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania|Lenhartsville]]'''
| Borough
| 165
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 83
| '''[[New Morgan, Pennsylvania|New Morgan]]'''
| Borough
| 71
|}

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
* [[William Addams]], former U.S. Congressman<ref name="Marquis 1607–1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>
* [[Priscilla Ahn]], folk musician, singer, and songwriter
* [[Alex Anzalone]] (born 1994), Detroit Lions lineman
* [[John Barrasso]], U.S. Senator
* [[Douglas Carter Beane]], playwright
* [[Chad Billingsley]], former professional baseball player, [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Daniel Boone]], American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman
* [[Kenny Brightbill]], professional race car driver
* [[Steve Burns]], musician and former ''[[Blue's Clues]]'' host
* [[James Henry Carpenter]], [[American Civil War|Civil War]] sailor, officer, founder of [[Carpenter Technology Corporation]]
* [[Jack Coggins]], illustrator, author and artist, lived in Boyertown from 1948 to 2006
* [[Rocky Colavito]], former Major League Baseball player
* [[Kerry Collins]], professional football player (Panthers, Saints, Giants, Raiders, Titans, and Colts)
* [[Michael Constantine]], actor, star of ''[[Room 222]]'' and ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]''
* [[Amy Cuddy]], Harvard psychologist and TED Talks speaker
* [[Lisa Eichhorn]], actress
* [[Wayne Ellington]], NBA Basketball Player
* [[Carl Furillo]], former professional baseball player, [[Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn]]/[[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
* [[John Gilmore (American football)|John Henry Gilmore, Jr.]], former professional football player, [[Chicago Bears]], [[New Orleans Saints]], and [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
* [[Jon Gosselin]], reality television personality, ''[[Jon & Kate Plus 8]]''
* [[Kate Gosselin]], reality television personality, ''[[Jon & Kate Plus 8]]''
* [[Chris Guiliano]], [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic]] swimmer
* [[Keith Haring]], former artist
* [[Chad Henne]], football professional football player, [[Miami Dolphins]]
* [[Chris Hero]], professional wrestler
* [[Joseph Hiester]], governor of [[Pennsylvania]] 1820–1823
* [[Tommy Hinnershitz]] (1912–1999), auto racing pioneer
* [[Chad Hurley]], co-founder of YouTube
* [[Mildred Jordan]] (1901–1982), novelist
* [[Chip Kidd]] (born 1964), book jacket designer at [[Knopf Publishing Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://businessweekly.readingeagle.com/sheer-genius|title=Reading Eagle|website=readingeagle|access-date=November 12, 2013|archive-date=July 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720012501/http://businessweekly.readingeagle.com/sheer-genius/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Abraham Lincoln (captain)|Abraham Lincoln]] (1744–1786), grandfather of 16th U.S. president [[Abraham Lincoln]]
* [[Matt Lytle]] (born 1975), professional football player
* [[Donyell Marshall]], former NBA player
* [[James H. Maurer]] (1864–1944), Labor leader and two-time Vice Presidential nominee
* [[Kelly McGillis]], actress, ''[Top Gun/Witness/The Accused]''
* [[Gordon McKellen jr.|Gordon McKellen, Jr.]], former U.S. figure skating champion and Hall of Fame member
* [[Morton L. Montgomery]] (1846–1933), Reading attorney and author of multiple history books about Berks County<ref>Montgomery, Morton L. ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/Historical_Sketch_of_Reading_Artillerist.html?id=CGE-AAAAYAAJ Historical Sketch of Reading Artillerists: Read Upon the Occasion of Their 102d Anniversary in Metropolitan Hall], May 25, 1896''. Chicago, Illinois: J.E. Norton & Company, 1897. {{OCLC|16413450}}</ref><ref>Montgomery, Morton L. ''[https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028852196#page/n9 History of Berks County in Pennsylvania]''. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886. {{OCLC| 11333191}}</ref>
* [[Lenny Moore]], NFL Hall of Fame
* [[Thomas Morris (Ohio politician)|Thomas Morris]], [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] politician, served in the [[United States Senate]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000989|title=Tolleson, Arizona |dictionary= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Jillian Murray]] (b. June 4, 1989), model and actress
* [[Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg]], architect, founder of [[Muhlenberg Greene Architects]], American military and political leader 1887–1980
* [[Jacob Nolde]], conservationist
* [[Bodo Otto]], Senior Surgeon of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1711–1787)
* [[William Sands (soldier)|William Sands]], U.S. Medal of Honor recipient (Civil War)<ref>"Sands, William", in "[https://web.archive.org/web/20131215014031/http://www.history.army.mil/moh/civilwar_sz.html#SANDS Medal of Honor Recipients: Civil War (S-Z)]:. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Army Center of Military History, retrieved online October 6, 2018.</ref>
* [[Martin Cruz Smith]], novelist
* [[Carl Spaatz]], [[World War II]] general
* [[Wallace Stevens]], major American Modernist poet (1879–1955)
* [[Taylor Swift]] (born 1989), [[Grammy Award]]-winning country/pop singer-songwriter
* [[Ross Tucker]], professional football player
* [[John Updike]], writer, 1932–2009
* [[Lonnie Walker]], NBA player
* [[Gus Yatron]], former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|Pennsylvania}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Berks County, Pennsylvania]]

==Footnotes==
{{Notelist}}{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* F.W. Balthaser, [https://archive.org/details/storyberkscount00hochgoog ''The Story of Berks County, Pennsylvania.''] Reading, PA: Reading Eagle Press, 1925.
* D.B. Brunner, ''The Indians of Berks County, Pa., Being a Summary of all the Tangible Records of the Aborigines of Berks County, with Cuts and Descriptions of the Varieties of Relics Found within the County.'' Reading, PA: Eagle Book Print, 1897.
* Morton L. Montgomery, [https://archive.org/details/historyofberksco00mont ''History of Berks County in Pennsylvania.''] Philadelphia: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886.
* Morton L. Montgomery, [https://archive.org/details/cu31924028852220 ''History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the Revolution, from 1774 to 1783.''] Reading, PA: C.F. Haage, printer, 1894.
* Morton L. Montgomery, [https://archive.org/details/politicalhandboo00mont ''Political Hand-Book of Berks County, Pennsylvania, 1752–1883.''] Reading, PA: B.F. Owen, 1883.
* Morton L. Montgomery, [https://archive.org/details/schoolhistoryofb00inmont ''School history of Berks County in Pennsylvania.''] Philadelphia: J.B. Rodgers Printing Co., 1889.
* Kathy M. Scogna, [https://web.archive.org/web/20041212011907/http://www.berkshistory.org/articles/berks1752.html "The Birth of a County — 1752,"]. ''Historical Review of Berks County,'' Winter 2001–02.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.berkspa.gov/}}

{{coord|40.42|-75.93|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-PA_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Berks County, Pennsylvania
|North     = [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]]
|Northeast = [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]]
|East      = [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]]
|Southeast = [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]]
|West      = [[Lebanon County, Pennsylvania|Lebanon County]]
|Northwest = [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]]
}}
{{Reading, Pennsylvania}}
{{Berks County, Pennsylvania}}
{{Pennsylvania}}
{{Delaware Valley}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Berks County, Pennsylvania| ]]
[[Category:1752 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1752]]