ReDesign Reading CDC

Reinventing Economic Development

613 Franklin Street
Reading, PA 19602
610-685-2236
www.redesignreading.org
info@redesignreading.org
www.redesignreading.org
Dear Reader,

In the attached Reading Economic Report, the Local Economy Center (LEC) at Franklin & Marshall College
has done an excellent job of highlighting the economic trends in Reading, and contextualizing them within
Berks County as well as with other local, state and national trends. These trends are very important at helping
us to understand our current reality, and provides useful information to regional leaders as we develop an
economic strategy that ensures Reading is thriving throughout the 21st century. As individuals interested in the
future economic vitality of the City of Reading, this report provides some critical new insights, in addition to
some helpful reminders of data we sometimes overlook.

To start, worsening macroeconomic trends have had large impacts on our local economy. As we see in the
report, the trends are not unique to Reading and Berks County, but rather mirror national shifts. The long-term
flight of manufacturing, which corresponds to over a half century of suburbanization, deindustrialization, and
globalization, has been devastating for Reading, as it has for so many other manufacturing towns (Mallach,
2012).

Second, the LEC report focuses on the unique industrial structure and trends in the City of Reading. Looking
at Reading in the context of the County and other areas shows that the challenging economic dynamics
affecting it are especially strong, earning its reputation as a distressed City. One implication of LEC analysis is
that the City of Reading has special economic development needs, and improving macro-economic trends alone
may not address those needs.

By presenting these local trends alongside those of other regional cities including Allentown, Lancaster, and
York, the report helps to draw attention to the nuanced differences between those different economies. The
authors of the LEC report suggest that direct comparisons to Allentown and Lancaster are misguided due to
fundamental differences in industrial characteristics. They conclude that although manufacturing has been a
critical component of each city's local economy, this is even more pronounced in Reading. Whereas Allentown
and Lancaster have specific advantages that helped them diversify their economies, Readings strategy may
rely more heavily on harnessing production-based energies.

Berks County and the City of Reading are intimately interconnected; one cannot exist without the other. The
historical emphasis on manufacturing relies heavily on the urban workforce. In fact, despite supplying only
15% of the total county workforce, City residents supply 25% of the total jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Any integrated economic development strategies must take into account the geographic distribution of
employees in various sectors.

Another important piece to remember is that even though a sector shows up as a small percentage of the local
GDP, that does not mean that we should disinvest from this sector. There are real people working in each of
these sectors, and the dynamics of each sector have cascading effects on the rest of the economy. It is
important to think about the residual impacts of each sector, not just their impact on GDP, but on how these
elements promote economic resiliency and increased quality of life for residents. The future of Reading's
economic health lies in a multi-pronged strategy that invests in the expansion of production activities while also
increasing support to non-manufacturing activities that diversify our economy.

The LEC report juxtaposes this economic data with demographic trends, noting the high percentage of Latino
entrepreneurship and the high percentage of young people under the age of 19. These emerging trends represent
significant components for any economic development strategy. How are we making sure that the next generation is
equipped to actively participate in economic life? How do we ensure that our policies and technical assistance
support the growing number of Latino entrepreneurs? These populations will increasingly determine the economic
direction of the region, and therefore any economic development strategy must be developed with heavy
representation of young people and Latinos.

It is important to recognize that the LEC analysis fits inside of the context of other reports recently released here in
Berks County: The Economic Forecast and the Vital Signs reports. Each of these reports provides helpful insights
into the health of our greater Reading community.

In May, 2014, the Berks County Economic Forecast report was released. This collaboration between the Reading
Eagle and Kutztown University provided a great overview of the industrial structure of the Berks economy, its
trends, and projections about what the future may hold in various economic sectors. Notable is the importance of
manufacturing as a share of the local economy, and the projected growth in most industries, with construction and
agriculture/mining as particular exceptions. The forecast projects continued growth in manufacturing, though at a
slightly decreasing rate.

Econometric projections are, of course, only one part of the puzzle. The 2014 Berks Vital Signs Report, released by
the Berks Community Foundation in conjunction with Alvernia University's OPake Institute for Ethics, Leadership,
and Public Service, provides an excellent overview of important quality of life indicators in employment, health,
safety, education, transportation, housing and the environment. Released earlier this year, this community indicators
report combines statistical data with invaluable insight into the perceptions of the Berks community in these areas.
Any economic development strategy must take into consideration these broader quality of life indicators.

The analysis presented here by the Local Economy Center has added to this conversation in some very critical ways.
In the context of the other reports produced for Berks county, this analysis helps to inform the various potential
strategies for economic stimulus in the City of Reading specifically. As those strategies are developed,
implemented, and refined, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

An economic system is a complex phenomenon made up of lots of interconnected components. There is no single
strategy that will cause a magical economic renaissance. The lure of the single solution is dangerous, and
significantly reduces our understanding of the adjacent possible. The key to economic revitalization will be a
diverse strategy that leverages our strengths and harnesses the resiliency, diversity, and entrepreneurialism of our
workforce and population. So what will those next steps look like?

The one-time industrial prominence of the City of Reading as the industrial capital of the world is a critical part of
our history, but our path forward must take into account the new economic and environmental realities of the 21st
century. In an age of global capital mobility and climate change, our challenge in Reading is not dissimilar from the
three primary challenges of other historically-industrial urban centers: 1) How do we figure out how to ground
capital locally? More specifically, how do we make sure that a dollar spent in Reading stays in the local economy as
long as possible before leaving? 2) In addition, how do we make sure that our economic system works within the
natural limits of the containing ecosystem? 3) Finally, how can we ensure an adaptable, competent workforce that
can meet the quickly changing needs of industry in the 21
st
century?

Several key components will be necessary. Traditional economic development approaches will continue to be
important, which will focus on the identification of specific bricks and mortar projects and workforce development
programs. This will ensure an ample supply of employees with the skills necessary for the needs of our local
industries. Due to the particular economic development needs of the City of Reading, production-based activities
will play a critical role, especially labor-intensive initiatives that can engage the Citys workforce.

The fundamental shift in the nature of manufacturing in Reading remains consistent with the national trend toward
decentralized networks of small, specialized firms (Mistry & Byron, 2011). We need to support the local industry
that does exist, and encourage innovative entrepreneurial industrial activity as well, especially industrial activity that
embraces adaptive and sustainable uses of our natural resources. Weatherization initiatives, for example, could have
a huge local impact by increasing employment while decreasing economic leakage spent on energy costs.

Support systems and incentives for current and potential manufacturers will be paramount. The Greater Reading
Economic Partnership has reported that in the last ten years, prospective manufacturer interest has doubled and now
accounts for over 70% of their business lead generation. Current initiatives that support this strategy are the
Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industrys flagship Reignite in PA program that targets outreach, coaching,
mentoring, training and consulting for small- and medium-sized manufacturers, and the Career in Two Years
campaign that encourages the growth of a competent, local workforce that can supply the labor needs for modern
industry.

An economic development strategy must identify and leverage our other regional assets, such as Go Greater
Reading's initiative for a destination market analysis that will help to identify some of the key market niches played
by the greater Reading area, such as the region's comparable affordability and access to nature and outdoor
recreational activity.

In addition to these traditional approaches, we need to support complementary initiatives that encourage social
innovators to experiment with ways to solve structural economic problems like the widening wealth gap,
vulnerability to macroeconomic forces, environmental degradation, and social inequality. A robust economic
development strategy will include initiatives that build community wealth, strengthen social capital, and impact the
most vulnerable parts of our local population. Production cooperatives will be a key ingredient here, and will require
specific technical assistance as they emerge into new market niches.

Localizing supply chains produce a multiplier effect in the regional economy. A basic economic leakage analysis
has identified manufacturing as a critical area for improving local economic resiliency. What products are being
imported which could be produced here and captured by local entrepreneurial activity? Despite the lower household
incomes in Reading, the highest density of household purchasing power actually exists inside the City, as
demonstrated on page 43 of the LEC report, which may inform potential market expansion.

We will need to get creative about what economic activity means. In its most basic form, economics is the study of
how society provisions its resources to its citizens. Economic development, therefore, goes beyond simply
increasing the number of monetary exchanges and maximizing dollar values. It means that our strategies for
promoting economic development need to focus on how we are meeting the needs of our population, and how we
ensure that key constituencies are playing a productive role in the provisioning of those needs.

As targeted economic interventions are developed as part of a revitalization strategy, we will need to ask several
important questions. What policies and changes are necessary to structure enabling conditions for multiple
economic development approaches? Who benefits from the current allocation system and who will benefit from the
proposed interventions? How do we match unmet needs in our local community with underutilized assets? How do
we ensure that the economic system we are building promotes equality of opportunity for all members of our
community?

The LEC report highlights some significant challenges that Reading faces with respect to educational attainment,
unemployment levels, and economic sectoral shrinkage. At ReDesign Reading, we take the information presented in
the LEC report as a challenge - a challenge to be creative. We need to support all of the elements of our economy,
and make sure that all of the members of our community are included in the next phase of our economic life. We are
excited about all of the opportunities present in the greater Reading area to reinvent our local economy. As we take
an asset-based approach to community economic development and focus on identifying underutilized resources to
release locked capital and wealth in our community, we encourage all of those reading this report to be an active part
of co-creating our regional economic future.

Brian Kelly
ReDesign Reading

1. Mallach, Alan. In Philadelphia's Shadow: Small Cities in the Third Federal Reserve District. Philadelphia. Federal Reserve Bank of
Philadelphia, 2012.
2. Mistry, Nisha & Byron, Joan. The Federal Role in Supporting Urban Manufacturing. Washington, D.C. The Brookings Institution, 2011.




Reading Economic Report
The Local Economy Center at Franklin & Marshall College
!"#$% '()*
Berks County
Lancaster
County
Lehigh
County
Lebanon
County
Schuylkill
County
Berks Region
York
County
Reading
Allentown
York City
Lancaster City
New
Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
Philadelphia

+,- .//01 /2 0,- 34/5/6$4 7#$1$1 $5 .-89$5:

Tbls Report outllnes tbe trenos ano conoltlons ot tbe Reaolng economy wltb an eye towaro
wbat economlc oevelopment strategles mlgbt prove ettectlve as tbe Clty cbarts lts tuture.

Readings future depends on the creativity and energy of its residents and leaders. But City
resloents ano leaoers, ano otber stakeboloers as well, oo not operate ln a vacuum. Hlstorlcally, pro-
ouctlon/manutacturlng provloeo tbe strengtb ln
tbe economy ot Reaolng. Tbe vlclssltuoes ot
manutacturlng notwltbstanolng, proouctlon stlll
remains important to the Citys future, the
strengtb upon wblcb tbe Clty must rely as lt
seeos new ventures ano opportunltles.

Tbere ls no questlon tbat Reaolng must
oo all lt can to tap lnto tbe retall ano servlces
energles wblcb bave become lmportant
sources ot employment ano lncome tbrougb-
out tbe wloer economy. Tapplng lnto tbese
energles wlll open up tbe potentlal tor cbange

County and Regional Industry Trends
Demograpblcs, Loucatlon, ano Housebolo
Economics...

Growth of Latino Population..
Labor Force Trenos tbrougb tbe
Recession.

Local 8uslness Development Cballenges
and Opportunities...
4


13

25

31


42
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<=5- '()* >$#10 39$0$/5




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ano olversltlcatlon. 8ut tbls potentlal can be energlzeo ln a sustalnable way only lt tbe opportunltles tor lt are createo
organically from the current, production related core strengths that the Citys residents and neighborhoods have.
The types of initiatives that build on Readings existing economic base include providing capital for small businesses
ano local proouctlon actlvltles, oeveloplng ano enbanclng worktorce oevelopment ano skllls tralnlng programs, ano
promotlng local enterprlses ano entrepreneursblp actlvltles.


Tbls oocument, tbrougb a serles ot oata ano grapbs, tells tbe story ot tour mlo-slze cltles ln soutbeast Penn-
sylvanla: Reaolng, Allentown, Lancaster, ano York. Lacb ot tbem bas a blstorlc base ln manutacturlng, ano all bave
eperlenceo tbe ettects ot globallzatlon, oelnoustrlallzatlon, ano tbe natlonal epanslons ano recesslons tbat bave
taken place over tbe last tew oecaoes. Our oata sbow tbat ln relatlon to natlonal ano statewloe tlgures, all ot tbese
cltles are struggllng economlcally.

8ut wben tbese Cltles are compareo to eacb otber, a olstlnct pattern emerges: Reaolng ano York, botb ot
wblcb remaln oepenoent on an lnoustrlal base, bave eperlenceo tbe steepest economlc oecllnes ano tbe largest ln-
creases ln poverty ln tbe past oecaoes. Lancaster ano Allentown provloe a contrastlng case, wltb more olversltleo
economles, Allentown especlally bas transltloneo jobs lnto blgber-earnlng servlce lnoustrles. Certaln olstlnct geo-
grapblc ano qualltatlve tactors bave contrlbuteo to tbe ablllty ot Allentown to relnvent ltselt economlcally. |n partlcu-
lar, lts oevelopment may be lntluenceo by lts prolmlty ano economlc llnkages to tbe economy ot nortbern New
[ersey ano New York Clty. Aooltlonally, lts larger slze may allow lt to act as a reglonal center tor nortbeastern
Pennsylvanla. very oltterent oynamlcs bave posltlvely attecteo Lancaster Clty, wblcb bas been able to take aovantage
ot lts posltlon ln tbe center ot a tourlst economy ano successtully promote ltselt as a reglonal arts ano entertalnment
bub.

Reaolng Clty, untortunately, must oeal wltb lts economlc cballenges wltbout tbe aovantages tbat bave al-
loweo Allentown ano Lancaster to struggle more ettectlvely agalnst tbe torces ot economlc oecllne. Tbat ls tbe rea-
son Reaolng must, as we bave stateo above, bullo on lts "#$ strengtbs, tbrougb skllls tralnlng programs, small busl-
ness oevelopment, ano otber local lnltlatlves.

Reaolng Clty ls tbe lnoustrlal beart ot 8erks County. |ts blstory ls tleo to proouctlon, ano even tooay tbe clty
provides a workforce for the areas manufacturing firms. However, as is the case throughout the Northeast and
Mlowest, economles concentrateo ln manutacturlng bave taceo severe cballenges over tbe past tew oecaoes. Wblle
tbe suburban ano rural parts ot 8erks County bave eperlenceo servlce sector growtb ano a real estate boom, tbe
Clty ot Reaolng bas acutely eperlenceo tbe job ano lncome loss relateo to tbe oecllne ot manutacturlng ln tbe US.
Sectlon | ot tbe Report (pages 4-12) eamlnes oata relateo to lnoustrlal structure ano manutacturlng. We tlno tbat
Reaolng Clty ano York Clty are beavlly manutacturlng-orlenteo, ano also bave slmllar economlc problems.

Sectlons || ano ||| ot tbe report sbow oemograpblc trenos ano tbe economlc cballenges to bousebolos, sucb
as oecllnlng real lncomes ano rates ot bome ownersblp. Pages 25-30 oeal specltlcally wltb tbe growtb ot tbe Latlno
populatlon wblcb now makes up tbe majorlty ot Clty resloents. Tbls oemograpblc sbltt bas greatly attecteo tbe cbar-
acter ot Reaolng Clty ano lts economlc lanoscape. Tbls growtb bas been taklng place steaolly over tbe past tew oec-
aoes, altbougb lt lntensltleo ln tbe early 2000s.
1


Though we find that Readings economic challenges are rooted in long term industrial trends, the recent
natlonal recesslon bas lntensltleo tbe structural cballenges taceo by tbe Clty. Wblle all tbe comparlson cltles tbat we

1
The inflow of Latinos happened at the same time as the areas manufacturing base contracted and the 2008 recession hit. This
coincidence/correlation might lead some to blame Latinos for causing or exacerbating Readings economic crisis. Our research,
bowever, suggests tbat tbls ls not tbe case. A raplo lncrease ln tbe Latlno populatlon also occurreo ln Allentown ourlng tbls tlme
perloo, but lt was accompanleo tbere by slgnltlcantly better economlc pertormance tban ln Reaolng. Our researcb ln tact lnol-
cates tbat Latlnos bave brougbt a great oeal ot economlc energy lnto tbe Clty tbrougb tbelr labor torce partlclpatlon, entrepre-
neursblp actlvltles, ano bousebolo spenolng (see pages 29 ano 43). Tbls ooes not, ot course, mean tbat tbe lntlu ot Latlnos ooes
not generate any strateglc or tactlcal neeos: provlolng eoucatlon to tbe relatlvely younger ano lower-eoucateo populatlon ot
Latlnos (see page 30) ls an economlc oevelopment lmperatlve tor Reaolng Clty ano 8erks County.


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eamlne are eperlenclng recesslonary economlc lssues relateo to unemployment, reouceo lncomes, ano poverty,
tbe oeptb ot tbe economlc paln eperlenceo by Reaolng ano York stano out. Tbese sbareo trenos are connecteo to
tbe slmllar lnoustrlal bases ot tbese economles. Sectlon |v (pages 31-41) oetalls trenos ln labor torce partlclpatlon
ano unemployment tor resloents ot Reaolng ano comparlson areas. |n Reaolng, as ln all comparlson areas, tbe unem-
ployment rate ot young aoults (ages 16-24), ot 8lacks, ano ot Latlnos ls partlcularly elevateo. Women ln Reaolng also
tace partlcularly blgb unemployment, a treno tbat ls unllke most otber comparlson areas.

How can Reaolng Clty aooress lts cbronlc economlc malalse ano become an economlcally vlbrant area? |t ls
not reallstlc to epect lt to become a reglonal servlces bub llke Allentown, or a tourlsm ano entertalnment bub as
bas taken place ln Lancaster. Reaolng stlll bas a proouctlon-orlenteo worktorce, ano oesplte a long perloo ot oecllne,
manutacturlng bas sbown some post-recesslon reslllence botb natlonally ano ln 8erks County. Tbls sector, wblcb
provides more jobs than any other industry for Reading households, provides an important foundation for the Citys
economlc tuture. Tbe strengtb ot tbls proouctlon base ls stlll present, even as tbe Clty ano Reglon contlnue to tran-
sltlon lnto a more olverse servlce-baseo economy. Reaolng Clty bas a strong populatlon ot tamllles, workers, entre-
preneurs, ano bomeowners wbo collectlvely possess tbe assets to contlnue tbe local traoltlons ot baro work, lnvest-
ment, ano lnnovatlon. Togetber, tbe people ot Reaolng can bullo an economy tbat wlll tbrlve ln tbe 21
st
century.
Some ot tbls economlc potentlal ls belng reallzeo alreaoy as resloents start buslnesses, tlno jobs, lnvest ln tbelr
bomes, ano volunteer ln tbe communlty. 8ut more can ano neeos to be oone to catalyze tbls potentlal.

Antonlo Callarl, Dlrector, Local Lconomy Center
Lvan Gentry, Researcb Speclallst, Local Lconomy Center

Dear Reaoer,

Tbe Franklln & Marsball College Local Lconomy Center (LLC) was createo to brlng togetber tbe researcb capaclty
ot a college communlty (taculty ano stuoents) ano tbe researcb neeos ot tbe communlty. |n tbe past, ano glven lts
geograpblcal locatlon, tbe LLC researcbeo ano reporteo on tbe trenos, strengtbs, ano weaknesses ot tbe Lancaster
economy. Lancaster Lconomy Reports trom 2007 to 2012 can be touno at ###%&'$()%*(+,-*.. Tbls year, we are
very eclteo to bave put our researcb energles lnto tbe economy ot Reaolng. Reaolng bas been eperlenclng tbe
problems ot oelnoustrlallzatlon ano tbe stresses ot a searcb tor ano transltlon to a new mooe ot prosperlty ln an
even more acute way tban Lancaster bas. We know tbat tbe cltlzens ot Reaolng bave been glvlng tbls work ot tran-
sltlon mucb attentlon, ano we bope tbat our researcb can contrlbute sometblng to tbelr, your, work ot plannlng tor
a more prosperous tuture. We want to tbank Mayor Spencer tor tbe encouragement be gave us to pursue tbls re-
searcb ano to provloe tbls report to tbe cltlzens ot Reaolng.

Tbe work tor tbls Report was oone by volunteer taculty ano stuoents. Tbey get no creolt or otber materlal rewaro
tor tbls researcb work. Wbat tbey oo get ls a oltterent type ot rewaro: tbe pleasure ot knowlng tbat tbelr work ls
more tban book work, ano ls usetul work to people ln a communlty tbey know. | am lmmensely gratetul to tbem
tor tbe love ano energy tbey bave put ln tbls work. You can see tbem llsteo (wltb a plcture ot many ot tbem) ln tbe
back page ot tbls Report.

| also woulo llke to tbank my lnvaluable researcb assoclate at tbe LLC, Lvan Gentry, ano, wltb blm, a number ot
otber people ano ottlces wbose moral ano materlal support bave maoe our work posslble: Alan Canlglla, vlce Prov-
ost at Franklln ano Marsball College, 8erwooo Yost, Dlrector ot tbe Floyo |nstltute wblcb bouses tbe LLC, tbe Lco-
nomlcs Department, tbe Seacbrlst Publlc Lntrepreneursblp Funo at tbe Center tor Llberal Arts ano Soclety, ano
Mrs. Mary 8. Hyman.

| bope you tlno tbls Report ot use.

Antonlo Callarl
Slgmuno M. ano Mary 8. Hyman Protessor
Dlrector, Local Lconomy Center




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Our analysls starts wltb oata on tbe lnoustrlal structure ot Reaolng Clty ano lts comparlson areas. We ooc-
ument tbat not only ls 8erks County beavlly concentrateo ln manutacturlng, but Reaolng Cltys worktorce
ls geareo towaros tbls lnoustry more so tban all comparlson areas. Reaolng sbares tbls manutacturlng lnten-
slty wltb York. Manutacturlng bas been ln steaoy oecllne ln tbe Unlteo States tor oecaoes. Tbls oecllne pos-
es slgnltlcant economlc cballenges tor tactory bubs llke Reaolng ano York, ano ls tbe major orlver ot tbe
negatlve economlc envlronment eperlenceo ln tbese communltles. On page 10 ot tbls sectlon we sbow
tbe long term oecllne ln tbe sbare ot bousebolos recelvlng mloole-class lncomes ln Reaolng, a treno tbat
correlates wltb tbe loss ot manutacturlng jobs.

Tbrougb tbe lens ot lnoustrlal structure, tbe Reaolng/8erks economy ls notably olstlnct trom tbat ot Allen-
town/Lehigh. Lehighs greater degree of concentration in finance, professional services, and health care sug-
gest tbat lt ls eperlenclng a oltterent set ot economlc oynamlcs. Tbese oata suggest tbat ln some respects,
Allentown is not an ideal yardstick by which to measure Readings economic performance and potential.

Some aooltlonal polnts are wortb notlng. As manutacturlng bas oecllneo, tbe sector tbat bas grown tbe
tastest ls bealtb care. 8erks County bas sbown growtb ln tbls sector, wblcb ls tbe secono largest ln terms
ot County earnlngs ano Reaolng Clty employment. We also tlno tbat slnce tbe recesslon tbe tlnanclal ser-
vlces sector ln 8erks County bas oecllneo, unllke otber comparlson areas. Tbls may bave lmpllcatlons tor
tbe avallablllty ot creolt tor local buslnesses, an lssue tbat ls blgbllgbteo later ln tbe Report on page 42.

Manutacturlng, tbougb a smaller sector tban lt once was, bas sbown some reslllence ano growtb ln recent
years (see pages 6 and 10). The graphs on page 8 show that a quarter of Readings workforce holds jobs in
tbls sector. |t ls unclear lt tbe recent upturn wlll be sustalneo, but lt ls lmportant to note tbat manutactur-
lng remalns a potent economlc torce ln Reaolng Clty wblcb may serve as a base tor ongolng economlc oe-
velopment ettorts.




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servlces
PealLhcare
LnLerLalnmenL, accommodaLlon, food
CovernmenL
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

o
f

A
r
e
a

E
a
r
n
i
n
g
s

F-#G1 7/=50D $1 4/54-50#80-9 $5 685=2840=#$5:H 859 ,81 8 1$6$%8# $59=10#$8% 10#=4I
0=#- 0/ J/#G 7/=50DK !20-# 685=2840=#$5:H 0,- "=;%$4 1-40/# 859 ,-8%0, 48#- 1-4I
0/#1 8#- 0,- 6/10 1$:5$2$4850 1/=#4-1 /2 -8#5$5:1 $5 ;/0, 4/=50$-1K


.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
0.8
-0.1
-6.3
0.3
-0.4
1.2
-6.1
-3.0
-4.1
-1.9
-4.8
-3.7
3.6
2.9
3.2
-0.7
2.9
4.0
-12
0
12
A
v
e
r
a
g
e

A
n
n
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e
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ManufacLurlng
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012
?8:- L
M85=2840=#$5:H 0,- %8#:-10
$59=10#D $5 F-#G1H -N"-#$I
-54-9 8 1%$:,0%D :#-80-# 9-I
4%$5- 4/6"8#-9 0/ /0,-#
8#-81 9=#$5: 0,- #-4-11$/5K
O/P-Q-#H 685=2840=#$5: $5
F-#G1 8%1/ #-;/=59-9 2810I
-# 0,85 8%% 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-I
81 $5 0,- '((RI'()' "-#$/9K
+,- 4/510#=40$/5 $59=10#D
$5 F-#G1 :#-P 2810 "#$/# 0/
0,- #-4-11$/5K B0 1,#85G
1$:5$2$4850%D $5 0,- #-4-1I
1$/5 859 ,/=1$5: 4#$1$1 859
$1 /5%D 1%/P%D #-4/Q-#$5:K
Berks trend resembles
0,80 /2 0,- S80$/5K
T,/%-18%- 859 0#851"/#08I
0$/5 ,8Q- ;--5 8 1$:5$2$4850
1/=#4- /2 :#/P0, $5 0,- #-I
:$/5H ;=0 1$54- 0,- #-4-11$/5
:#/P0, $5 F-#G1 7/=50D ,81
;--5 1%/PK
6.3
3.2
3.2
8.4
3.0
3.2
-10.1
-7.2
-9.4
-8.0
-6.9
-8.3
2.0
3.3
1.3
4.4
4.0
1.7
-12
0
12
8erks County Lancaster
County
Leh|gh
County
ork County A US
A
v
e
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a
g
e

A
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C
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ConsLrucLlon
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012
Berks County Lancaster Lehigh York County PA US
County County
7.0
8.7
10.4
7.3
3.1
4.7
-2.3
-2.2
-1.4
-3.9
-2.1
-3.1
2.7
4.0
7.7
6.4
4.3
3.1
-12
0
12
8erks
County
Lancaster
County
Leh|gh
County
ork
County
A US
A
v
e
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a
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A
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e
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a
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s
Wholesale and 1ransporLaLlon
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012
/"+0.*1 2+0*'+ "& 3."$")4. 5$'-6747 8".'- 50*' 9*07"$'- :$.")* 37;4)';*7< =>>?E=>?=
+,$1 1-#$-1 /2 :#8",1 1,/P1 4/=50DIP$9- :#/P0, 0#-591 2/# 1-%-40-9 $59=10#D 1-40/#1K +,-D
"#/Q$9- 8 "$40=#- /2 0,- #-:$/58% -4/5/6$4 -5Q$#/56-50 $5 P,$4, 0,- .-89$5: 7$0D -4/5/I
6D $1 1$0=80-9K +,- 7$0D $01-%2H ,/P-Q-#H 68D 5/0 ;- 2/%%/P$5: 4/=50D 0#-591 $5 8%% 1-40/#1K


.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
?8:- U
+,- #-08$% 1-40/# $5 F-#G1
,89 10#/5: :#/P0, "#$/# 0/
0,- #-4-11$/5K A$54- 0,-
#-4-11$/5H 0,- "84- /2 #-08$%
1-40/# :#/P0, /2 F-#G1 859
J/#G 7/=50$-1 ,81 0#8$%-9
0,/1- /2 /0,-# 8#-81K


F-#G1 7/=50D ,81 1--5 8
1$:5$2$4850 9#/" $5 $01 2$I
5854- 1-40/# $5 0,- '((RI
'()' "-#$/9H =5%$G- /0,-#
8#-81K A$54- 0,- #-4-11$/5H
2$5854$8% 1-40/# :#/P0, $5
J/#G ,81 8%1/ ;--5 1%/P-#
0,85 /0,-# 4/6"8#$1/5
8#-81K
+,-1- ,$:,-# P8:- 1-40/#1
,8Q- 1,/P5 :#/P0, $5
F-#G1 820-# 0,- #-4-11$/5K
V-,$:, 7/=50DH P,$4, 4/5I
08$51 !%%-50/P5H ,89 #8"$9
:#/P0, $5 0,$1 1-40/# "#$/#
0/ 0,- #-4-11$/5K
+,- ,-8%0, 48#- 1-40/# $5
F-#G1 ,81 4/51$10-50%D ,89 8
,$:,-# #80- /2 :#/P0, 0,85
6/10 /0,-# 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-I
81K +,- "84- /2 :#/P0, $5
0,$1 1-40/# ,81 1%/P-9 $5 8%%
8#-81K
6.1
1.7
3.2
2.7
2.3
3.3
-3.6
-2.0
-3.3
-3.8
-2.1
-3.2
1.3
2.7 2.8
1.7
2.6
3.3
-12
0
12
8erks
County
Lancaster
County
Leh|gh
County
ork
County
A US
A
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8eLall
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012
9.8
10.3
7.8 7.8
6.8
7.4
6.8
7.4
3.0
7.3
3.6 3.7
4.3
3.3
3.7
4.1
3.6 3.7
-12
0
12
8erks
County
Lancaster
County
Leh|gh
County
ork
County
A US
A
v
e
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a
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e

A
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C
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|
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PealLh Care
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012
4.2
2.2
23.8
9.6
8.2
3.0
-0.3
3.9
-6.7
14.3
3.8
0.8
3.3
1.0
2.4
0.6
3.6
4.7
-12
0
12
24
8erks
County
Lancaster
County
Leh|gh
County
ork
County
A US
A
v
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s
rofesslonal, Sclence, ManagemenL, lnformaLlon
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012
0.2
2.3
-1.1
3.4
2.8
3.8
1.3
1.2
-1.4
-3.2
0.0
-2.7
-3.7
6.1
4.7
1.0
4.6 4.7
-12
0
12
8erks
County
Lancaster
County
Leh|gh
County
ork
County
A US
A
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llnance and 8eal LsLaLe
2001-07 2007-09 2009-2012


?8:- W
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- P/#G2/#4- /2 .-89$5: 7$0D $1 4/54-50#80-9 $5 685=2840=#$5:K .-89$5: ,81 0,-
,$:,-10 "-#4-508:- /2 2840/#D P/#G-#1H -Q-5 6/#- 0,85 4$0$-1 $5 /0,-# 685=2840=#I
$5:I,-8QD 8#-81 1=4, 81 J/#G 859 V854810-#K
0
3
10
13
20
23
S
h
a
r
e

o
f

L
m
p
|
o
y
m
e
n
t
Lmp|oyment by Industry Ior kes|dents
8eadlng
8erks CounLy
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
0
3
10
13
20
23
S
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a
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o
f

L
m
p
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m
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t
Lmp|oyment by Industry for kes|dents: Compar|son C|t|es
8eadlng
AllenLown
LancasLer
?ork
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 37;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G% 9*0.*$;'@*7 (" $"; '(( ;" ?>>M B*E
.'+7* 7")* 7)'--*0 4$(+7;04*7 '0* $"; 7D"#$ FN4$4$@< I;4-4;4*7< OD"-*7'-*< P;D*0 /*0C4.*7< '$( Q*'- 37;';* '0* $"; 4$.-+(*(G


?8:- R
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
0
3
10
13
20
23
n
e
a
|
t
h

C
a
r
e

a
n
d

S
o
c
|
a
|

A
s
s
|
s
t
a
n
c
e

L
a
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n
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g
s

a
s

a

S
h
a
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o
f

1
o
t
a
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L
a
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n
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g
s
nea|th Care Larn|ngs Cver 1|me
Leh|gh
A
US
ork County
Lancaster
County
8erks
O-8%0, 78#- ,81 1,/P5 8 %/5:I0-#6 :#/P0, 0#-59 $5 8%% 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81H 8%0,/=:, 0,-
"84- /2 :#/P0, ,81 1%/P-9 $5 #-4-50 D-8#1K V-,$:, 7/=50D ,81 ,$10/#$48%%D ,89 8 ,$:,-#
4/54-50#80$/5 $5 0,$1 $59=10#DH 4/6"8#-9 0/ /0,-# 8#-81K B5 F-#G1 7/=50DH ,-8%0, 48#-
$1 0,- 1-4/59 %8#:-10 "#$Q80-I1-40/# $59=10#DH 820-# 685=2840=#$5:K
/"+0.*1 2+0*'+ "& 3."$")4. 5$'-6747 8".'- 50*' 9*07"$'- :$.")* 37;4)';*7< ?RLKE=>?=%

S";* ;D'; I/ 4$(+7;06 (';' .D'$@*( .-'774&4.';4"$ 767;*)7 B*;#**$ ;D* 6*'07 =>>> '$( =>>?% TD47 0*7+-;7 4$ ' B0*'U 4$ ;D* (';' 7*04*7
'B"C*< '7 )'$+&'.;+04$@ 47 (*&4$*( 4$ ' 7-4@D;-6 (4&&*0*$; #'6 B*;#**$ ;D* ?RVRE=>>> A*04"( '$( =>>?E=>?= A*04"(7%


?-#I78"$08H !Q-#8:-H 859 M-9$85 O/=1-,/%9 B54/6-
|ncome can be useo as an lnolcator ot economlc well-belng. We sbow oata tor two measures ot lncome below.
Per-Caplta |ncome: Tbe total amount ot lncome ln an area olvloeo by lts populatlon. Tbls ls a very general measure ot
overall prosperlty. |t ooes not reveal wbetber lncome ls olstrlbuteo equally or unequally among bousebolos.
Meolan Housebolo |ncome: Tbe level ot lncome recelveo by tbe bousebolo tbat ls at tbe mloole ot tbe olstrlbutlon ot
bousebolo lncome: 50 ot bousebolos bave blgber lncomes tban tbe meolan, ano 50 ot bousebolos bave lower lncomes.
Meolan bousebolo lncome ls more sensltlve to bow equally lncome ls olstrlbuteo among bousebolos. (Housebolos below
tbe meolan must eperlence lncome growtb tor tbe meolan bousebolo lncome value to lncrease.)
?8:- )(
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
M85=2840=#$5: ,81 ;--5 10-89$%D 9-4%$5$5: $5 0,- XA 2#/6 0,- )RW(1 2/#P8#9H 8
0#-59 5/08;%- $5 8%% 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81K F-#G1H J/#GH 859 V854810-# ,8Q- 1,/P5 0,-
,$:,-10 4/54-50#80$/51 $5 0,$1 1-40/#K B5 #-4-50 D-8#1 Y1$54- '()(Z F-#G1 ,81 1,/P5
8 1%$:,0 ="0$4G $5 $01 685=2840=#$5: 1-40/#K
/"+0.*1 2+0*'+ "& 3."$")4. 5$'-6747 8".'- 50*' 9*07"$'- :$.")* 37;4)';*7< ?RVRE=>?=%

S";* ;D'; I/ 4$(+7;06 (';' .D'$@*( .-'774&4.';4"$ 767;*)7 B*;#**$ ;D* 6*'07 =>>> '$( =>>?% TD47 0*7+-;7 4$ ' B0*'U 4$ ;D* (';' 7*04*7
'B"C*< '7 )'$+&'.;+04$@ 47 (*&4$*( 4$ ' 7-4@D;-6 (4&&*0*$; #'6 B*;#**$ ;D* ?RVRE=>>> A*04"( '$( =>>?E=>?= A*04"(7%
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
33
40
43
30
M
a
n
u
f
a
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t
u
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|
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L
a
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n
|
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g
s

a
s

a

S
h
a
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o
f

1
o
t
a
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L
a
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g
s
Manufactur|ng Larn|ngs Cver 1|me
ork County
8erks
A
US
Lancaster
County
Leh|gh


?-#I78"$08H !Q-#8:-H 859 M-9$85 O/=1-,/%9 B54/6-
|ncome can be useo as an lnolcator ot economlc well-belng. We sbow oata tor two measures ot lncome below.
Per-Caplta |ncome: Tbe total amount ot lncome ln an area olvloeo by lts populatlon. Tbls ls a very general measure ot
overall prosperlty. |t ooes not reveal wbetber lncome ls olstrlbuteo equally or unequally among bousebolos.
Meolan Housebolo |ncome: Tbe level ot lncome recelveo by tbe bousebolo tbat ls at tbe mloole ot tbe olstrlbutlon ot
bousebolo lncome: 50 ot bousebolos bave blgber lncomes tban tbe meolan, ano 50 ot bousebolos bave lower lncomes.
Meolan bousebolo lncome ls more sensltlve to bow equally lncome ls olstrlbuteo among bousebolos. (Housebolos below
tbe meolan must eperlence lncome growtb tor tbe meolan bousebolo lncome value to lncrease.)
?8:- ))
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- 1,8#- /2 ,/=1-,/%91 -8#5$5: 6$99%- 4%811 $54/6-1 Y9-2$5-9 81 0,/1- P$0, $5I
4/6-1 ;-0P--5 0P/ 859 2/=# 0$6-1 0,- "/Q-#0D %$5- 2/# 8 286$%D /2 2/=#Z ,81 9-4%$5-9
$5 8%% 8#-81K +,- %/11 /2 0,-1- 6$99%- $54/6- ,/=1-,/%91 ,81 ;--5 :#-80-# $5 .-89$5:
859 J/#G 7$0$-1 0,85 $5 /0,-# 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81K +,- 28%%$5: "#/"/#0$/5 /2 6$99%-I
4%811 ,/=1-,/%91 2/%%/P1 0,- 0#-59 /2 685=2840=#$5: [/; %/11 5/0-9 /5 "8:- )(K
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 (';' *W;0'.;*( &0") ;D* N4$$*7";' 9"A+-';4"$ J*$;*0 S';4"$'- X47;"04.'- Y*"@0'AD4. :$&"0)';4"$ /67;*)% 37;4)';*7
"& )4((-* .-'77 D"+7*D"-(7 .'-.+-';*( B6 83J +74$@ J*$7+7 A"C*0;6 ;D0*7D"-(7 &"0 ?RVRE=>?>%
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
1969 1979 1989 1999 2010
ercent of nouseho|ds w|th M|dd|e C|ass Incomes, 1969-2010
8eadlng ClLy
8erks
8eadlng reglon
ennsylvanla
unlLed SLaLes
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
1969 1979 1989 1999 2010
ercent of nouseho|ds w|th M|dd|e C|ass Incomes:
Compar|son C|t|es, 1969-2010
8eadlng
AllenLown
LancasLer
?ork


?-#I78"$08H !Q-#8:-H 859 M-9$85 O/=1-,/%9 B54/6-
|ncome can be useo as an lnolcator ot economlc well-belng. We sbow oata tor two measures ot lncome below.
Per-Caplta |ncome: Tbe total amount ot lncome ln an area olvloeo by lts populatlon. Tbls ls a very general measure ot
overall prosperlty. |t ooes not reveal wbetber lncome ls olstrlbuteo equally or unequally among bousebolos.
Meolan Housebolo |ncome: Tbe level ot lncome recelveo by tbe bousebolo tbat ls at tbe mloole ot tbe olstrlbutlon ot
bousebolo lncome: 50 ot bousebolos bave blgber lncomes tban tbe meolan, ano 50 ot bousebolos bave lower lncomes.
Meolan bousebolo lncome ls more sensltlve to bow equally lncome ls olstrlbuteo among bousebolos. (Housebolos below
tbe meolan must eperlence lncome growtb tor tbe meolan bousebolo lncome value to lncrease.)
?8:- )'
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- 0D"-1 /2 685=2840=#-#1 $5 -84, 4/=50D $5 0,- #-:$/5 8#- 9$10$540K B5 F-#G1 7/=50DH
0,- %8#:-10 685=2840=#$5: $59=10#$-1 8#- 3%-40#/5$41 859 8""%$854-1 859 ?#$68#D 6-08%1K
/"+0.*1 2+0*'+ "& 8'B"0 /;';47;4.7 Z+'0;*0-6 J*$7+7 "& 3)A-"6)*$; '$( O'@*7< =>?=% TD* A*0.*$; "& ["B7 7D"#$ 'B"C* 47 .'-.+-';*(
as the manufacturing sectors share of total private sector jobs in each county.
12
21
17
17
4
1
3
1 3
6
3
10
2
12
4
6
9
11
17
7
16
8
2
3
8
1S
9
1S
3
S
7
1S
24
6
12
S
6
2
10
12
S 6
3
3
8 8
12
7
0
100
8erks Lancaster Leh|gh ork
ulsLrlbuLlon of ManufacLurlng by CounLy
CLher
lurnlLure
1ransporLaLlon equlpmenL
LlecLronlcs and appllances
Machlnery
labrlcaLed meLals
rlmary meLals
Chemlcals and plasLlcs
rlnLlng
Wood and paper
1exLlles and apparel
lood, beverage, and Lobacco
Total Jobs: 29,626 36,094 16,587 31,791
% of Jobs: 21% 18% 10% 21%


Lssay ano Mlscellaneous
?8:- )@
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
A-40$/5 BBC \-6/:#8",$41H 39=480$/5H 859 O/=1-,/%9 34/5/6$41

This section documents the people and households of Readings economy. We discuss demographic
attrlbutes sucb as ages, tamllles, eoucatlon level, ano populatlon growtb. We also sbow aspects ot
bousebolo economlcs ln Reaolng ano comparlson areas, lncluolng lncome ano bome ownersblp trenos.
|n tbe past oecaoe, bousebolos bave not tareo well, as oecllnlng real lncomes are apparent ln all com-
parlson areas. |n most comparlson areas we also see a orop ln bome ownersblp, as tbls mloole-class
asset bas tallen out ot reacb tor many bousebolos.

Tbese oata contlnue to blgbllgbt parallels between tbe economles ot Reaolng ano York. Tbese cltles
bave slmllar eoucatlonal attalnment protlles, lower bousebolo lncomes, ano elevateo levels ot poverty.
Though Readings high rate of poverty has drawn media attention, it is comparable to that of York City.
|t sboulo also be noteo tbat tbe rate ot poverty ln all comparlson cltles bas splkeo slnce 1980. Tbe ln-
crease bas been most acute ln Reaolng ano York, but Allentown ano Lancaster bave also seen tbelr
rates ot poverty rlse substantlally. Reaolng, llke York, bas a very blgb proportlon ot persons wltbout a
blgb scbool oegree, ano a low proportlon ot persons wltb eoucatlon beyono blgb scbool. Tbls lower
level ot eoucatlonal attalnment, comblneo wltb a larger tban average populatlon ot tamllles ano young
persons, makes provlolng eoucatlonal opportunltles tor people ot all ages an lmportant component ot
economlc oevelopment ln Reaolng.
-3
0
3
10
13
20
23
30

e
r
c
e
n
t

C
h
a
n
g
e

f
r
o
m

1
9
9
0
opu|at|on Growth: 1990-2012
Un|ted States
8erks keg|on
kead|ng C|ty
ennsy|van|a
ork C|ty
Lancaster C|ty
A||entown
8erks County
Readings population has grown significantly through the 1990s and
'(((1H 2810-# 0,85 0,- /0,-# 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81K
Pennsylvania


?8:- )*
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
.-89$5: ,81 8 ,$:, "#/"/#0$/5 /2 D/=5: "-/"%-H 859 8 168%%-# "#/"/#0$/5 /2 /%9-#
89=%01K +,$1 $1 -1"-4$8%%D 0,- 481- $5 4/6"8#$1/5 0/ 0,- 7/=50DH ;=0 .-89$5: 8%1/ ,81 0,-
,$:,-10 "#/"/#0$/5 /2 0,/1- =59-# )R 86/5: 4/6"8#$1/5 4$0$-1K
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G
34.9
27.3
26.7
2S.2
27.1
8.3
6.S
6.3
6.8
7.0
26.6
24.8
24.9
24.8
26.8
11.9
1S.1
14.9
1S.3
14.6
8.6
11.8
12.0
12.S
11.6
9.7
14.4
1S.2
1S.4
12.9
0 100
8eadl ng ClLy
8erks CounLy
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
opu|at|on by Age Group
19 or |ess 20-24 2S-44 4S-S4 SS-64 6S and up
34.9
30.7
31.S
32.2
8.3
8.6
9.4
9.S
26.6
27.2
28.6
28.3
11.9
12.7
12.2
11.4
8.6
9.1
9.S
9.3
9.7
11.7
8.8
9.3
0 100
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
opu|at|on by Age Group for Compar|son C|t|es


?8:- )E
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
.-89$5: ,81 8 ,$:, "#/"/#0$/5 /2 1$5:%- "8#-50 286$%$-1K .-89$5: Y859 !%%-5I
0/P5Z ,8Q- ,$:, "#/"/#0$/51 /2 286$%D ,/=1-,/%91 Y68##$-9 859 1$5:%- "8#-50Z
4/6"8#-9 0/ /0,-# #-:$/58% 4$0$-1K
1S.1
17.8
1S.7
16.4
16.0
17.1
14.7
12.6
4.8
3.9
3.4
4.6
21.S
16.8
1S.2
20.3
6.2
7.3
7.3
6.7
36.4
37.1
43.7
39.4
0 100
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
Iam||y and Non-Iam||y nouseho|ds for Compar|son C|t|es
1S.1
30.9
31.6
29.3
27.3
16.0
21.9
22.4
20.0
22.1
4.8
2.9
2.6
2.3
2.6
21.S
8.8
7.S
7.6
8.6
6.2
S.0
S.2
6.2
6.1
36.4
30.4
30.7
34.7
33.3
0 100
8eadlng ClLy
8erks CounLy
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
Iam||y and Non-Iam||y nouseho|ds
Marr|ed, no ch||dren Marr|ed, w|th ch||dren Ma|e s|ng|e parent Iema|e s|ng|e parent Cther fam||y Non-fam||y househo|ds
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G


.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
?8:- )L
.-89$5: ,81 8 ,$:, "#/"/#0$/5 /2 "-#1/51 P$0,/=0 8 ,$:, 14,//% 9-:#--H 859 8 %/P "#/"/#I
0$/5 /2 "-#1/51 P$0, -9=480$/5 ;-D/59 0,- ,$:, 14,//% %-Q-%K +,- -9=480$/58% 8008$56-50
"#/2$%- /2 .-89$5: $1 1$6$%8# 0/ 0,80 /2 J/#GK
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G
3S.2
24.8
24.3
26.4
36.2
34.7
39.S
4S.0
1S.0
17.1
14.9
12.2
4.3
7.0
S.2
6.2
6.4
10.3
10.4
7.1
2.9
6.1
S.7
3.0
0 100
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
Lducat|ona| Atta|nment of Adu|t opu|at|on (Ages 2S+) for Compar|son C|t|es
Less than n.S. n|gh Schoo| Grad Some co||ege, no degree Assoc|ate's degree 8ache|or's degree Graduate or prof. degree
36.1
14.7
13.6
11.4
14.1
36.7
39.0
40.0
37.2
28.3
14.8
1S.6
1S.7
16.S
21.3
4.0
7.6
7.4
7.6
7.8
6.3
1S.1
14.9
16.8
18.0
2.0
8.0
8.4
10.6
10.7
0 100
8eadlng ClLy
8erks CounLy*
8erks 8eglon*
A
uS
Lducat|ona| Atta|nment of the Adu|t opu|at|on (Ages 2S+)
Less than n.S. n|gh-Schoo| Grad Some co||ege, no degree Assoc|ate's Degree 8ache|or's Degree Graduate or prof. degree
* uaLa ad[usLed Lo remove effecL of Amlsh populaLlon


.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
?8:- )U
The educational attainment of Readings residents is improving. The number of
"-#1/51 P$0, 8 ,$:, 14,//% 9-:#-- /# %-11 ,81 #-68$5-9 4/510850 ;-0P--5 '((( 859
2010, while the number of persons with some college, Associates degrees, and
Bachelors degrees has increased.
Readings dropout rate is in the middle of the group of regional cities. It is higher than Lan-
4810-# 859 J/#GH ;=0 %/P-# 0,85 !%%-50/P5 $5 0,- '())I)' 8489-6$4 D-8#K
/"+0.*71 J*$7+7 =>>>< '$( I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G
/"+0.*1 95 H*A'0;)*$; "& 3(+.';4"$< =>>]E=>?=
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
70
80
Non-n|gh
Schoo|
Graduate
n|gh schoo|
graduate
Some co||ege,
no degree
Assoc|ate's
degree
8ache|or's
degree
Graduate or
profess|ona|
degree

e
r
c
e
n
t

C
h
a
n
g
e

|
n

2
S
+

o
p
u
|
a
t
|
o
n

w
|
t
h

S
p
e
c
|
f
|
e
d

L
d
u
c
a
t
|
o
n
a
|

A
t
t
a
|
n
m
e
n
t

L
e
v
e
|
Growth |n Adu|t opu|at|on by Lducat|ona| Atta|nment Category: 2000 through 2011
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
0
1
2
3
4
3
6
7
8
kead|ng A||entown Lancaster ork
Dropout kate of Current Students (grades 7-12)
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12


?-#I78"$08H !Q-#8:-H 859 M-9$85 O/=1-,/%9 B54/6-
|ncome can be useo as an lnolcator ot economlc well-belng. We sbow oata tor two measures ot lncome below.
Per-Caplta |ncome: Tbe total amount ot lncome ln an area olvloeo by lts populatlon. Tbls ls a very general measure ot
overall prosperlty. |t ooes not reveal wbetber lncome ls olstrlbuteo equally or unequally among bousebolos.
Meolan Housebolo |ncome: Tbe level ot lncome recelveo by tbe bousebolo tbat ls at tbe mloole ot tbe olstrlbutlon ot
bousebolo lncome: 50 ot bousebolos bave blgber lncomes tban tbe meolan, ano 50 ot bousebolos bave lower lncomes.
Meolan bousebolo lncome ls more sensltlve to bow equally lncome ls olstrlbuteo among bousebolos. (Housebolos below
tbe meolan must eperlence lncome growtb tor tbe meolan bousebolo lncome value to lncrease.)
?8:- )W
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
5S1,771
5S1,402
5S2,167
5S3,882
52S,7S3
5S8,788
5S6,327
5S7,769
561,41S
531,796
$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $30,000 $60,000 $70,000
unlLed SLaLes
ennsylvanla
8erks 8eglon
8erks CounLy
8eadlng
Med|an nouseho|d Income Ad[usted for Inf|at|on:
200S-07 and 2010-12 (In 2012 Do||ars)
200S-07
2010-12
.-89$5: ,81 0,- %/P-10 ,/=1-,/%9 $54/6- 86/5: 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81H 859 0,- $54/6-
/2 $01 #-1$9-501 2-%% 1$:5$2$4850%D /Q-# 0,- 4/=#1- /2 0,- #-4-11$/5K !%% 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81
8%1/ -N"-#$-54-9 28%%$5: $52%80$/5I89[=10-9 6-9$85 $54/6-1 /Q-# 0,$1 "-#$/9K
529,469
531,462
534,289
52S,7S3
533,7S9
537,148
543,062
531,796
$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $30,000 $60,000 $70,000
?ork
LancasLer
AllenLown
8eadlng
Med|an nouseho|d Income Ad[usted for Inf|at|on:
200S-07 and 2010-12 (In 2012 Do||ars)
/"+0.*71 J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 ?E6*'0 (';' &"0 =>>KE=>>L '$( =>?>E=>?= *W;0'.;*( &0") ;D* N4$$*7";' 9"A+-';4"$
J*$;*0 S';4"$'- X47;"04.'- Y*"@0'AD4. :$&"0)';4"$ /67;*)< '$( 2+0*'+ "& 8'B"0 /;';47;4.7 J"$7+)*0 904.* :$(*W (';' &"0 4$&-';4"$
'([+7;)*$; .'-.+-';4"$7%


?8:- )R
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- -8#5$5:1 2/# 2=%%I0$6- P/#G-#1 $5 .-89$5: 8#- %/P-# 0,85 0,/1- /2 /0,-# 8#-81K V$G-
P/6-5 $5 /0,-# 8#-81H P/6-5 $5 .-89$5: -8#5 %-11 0,85 6-5K
/"+0.*71 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>]E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G
5
3
2
,
S
3
7
5
2
7
,
0
S
3
5
4
8
,
8
1
2
5
3
6
,
4
S
9
5
4
8
,
8
4
6
5
3
S
,
8
8
S
5
S
0
,
0
8
6
5
3
7
,
9
6
7
5
4
9
,
4
8
1
5
3
8
,
3
1
3
$0
$3,000
$10,000
$13,000
$20,000
$23,000
$30,000
$33,000
$40,000
$43,000
$30,000
$33,000
Men Women
Med|an Larn|ngs for Iu||-t|me ear-round Workers by Gender
8eadlng ClLy
8erks CounLy
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
5
3
2
,
S
3
7
5
2
7
,
0
S
3
5
3
8
,
3
8
3
5
3
0
,
0
2
8
5
3
4
,
8
S
3
5
3
0
,
2
2
1
5
3
S
,
S
7
2
5
2
8
,
8
9
2
$0
$3,000
$10,000
$13,000
$20,000
$23,000
$30,000
$33,000
$40,000
$43,000
$30,000
$33,000
Men Women
Med|an Larn|ngs for Iu||-t|me ear-round Workers
by Gender for Compar|son C|t|es
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy


?8:- '(
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
Readings poverty rate is higher than the surrounding County and region. It also has
the highest rate of poverty among comparison cities, although Readings rate of
"/Q-#0D $1 /5%D 1%$:,0%D ,$:,-# 0,85 0,80 /2 J/#GK !%% 8#-81 ,8Q- -N"-#$-54-9 1$:5$2$I
4850 $54#-81-1 $5 "/Q-#0D 1$54- )RRRK
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G
/"+0.*71 ?RLRE?RRR H*.*$$4'- J*$7+7 (';' *W;0'.;*( &0") ;D* N4$$*7";' 9"A+-';4"$ J*$;*0 S';4"$'- X47;"04.'- Y*"@0'AD4. :$&"0)';4"$
/67;*)< I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
33
40
43
1979 1989 1999 2010-12
overty kates: 1979-2012
8eadlng
AllenLown
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
8erks CounLy
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
37.3
2S.8
28.0
3S.S
13.1
11.4
12.6
14.3
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
33
40
kead|ng C|ty A||entown C|ty Lancaster C|ty ork C|ty 8erks County 8erks keg|on A US
overty kates


?8:- ')
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
V80$5/1 ,8Q- ,$:,-# #80-1 /2 "/Q-#0D 0,85 F%84G1 /# T,$0-1K .-89$5: 859 J/#G 8#-
5/08;%- 2/# ,$:,-# #80-1 /2 "/Q-#0D 0,85 /0,-# 4/6"8#$1/5 4$0$-1K
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>]E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G
26
23
10
28
32
9
27
33
7
26
41
7
31
47
22
0 10 20 30 40 30 60
8lack
LaLl no
WhlLe
non-LaLlno
overty kates by kace
8eadlng
8erks CounLy
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
33
48
27
41
38
14
30
39
14
31
47
22
0 10 20 30 40 30 60
8lack
LaLl no
WhlLe
non-LaLlno
overty kates by kace for Compar|son C|t|es
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy


?8:- ''
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
?/Q-#0D $1 ,$:,-10 2/# 4,$%9#-5 859 D/=5: 89=%01K ?/Q-#0D #80-1 8#- %/P-10 2/#
0,/1- 8:-1 LE 859 8;/Q-K
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?? KE6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>LE=>?? 'C*0'@*7G
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
17 or below 18 Lo 24 23 Lo 44 43 Lo 34 33 Lo 64 63 and
above
overty kates by Age for Compar|son C|t|es
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
17 or below 18 Lo 24 23 Lo 44 43 Lo 34 33 Lo 64 63 and above
overty kates by Age
8eadlng ClLy
8erks CounLy
8eglon
A
uS


?8:- '@
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
33
40
43
30
33
60
63
70
73
2003 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
ercent of kenter nouseho|ds Spend|ng 30 or more of
Income on nous| ng Costs
8eadlng ClLy
8erks
8erks 8eglon
A
uS
O/=1$5: 822/#98;$%$0D ,81 :#/P5 81 8 "#/;%-6 $5 .-89$5:K +,$1 0#-59 $1 9#$Q-5 5/0 ;D
,$:,-# #-501H ;=0 ;D 0,- %/P-# $54/6-1 /2 #-1$9-501K
$697
$861
$732
$683
$300 $600 $700 $800 $900
kead|ng
A||entown
Lancaster
ork
Med|an kent for Compar|son C|t|es
67
64
39
60
30 33 60 63 70
kead|ng
A||entown
Lancaster
ork
kenters ay|ng 30 or more on
nous|ng Costs for Compar|son C|t|es
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>>KE=>?= ?E6*'0 *7;4)';*7
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G


?8:- '*
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
4S.3
74.1
72.4
71.7
67.3
42.4
71.4
70.3
69.6
64.7
30 40 30 60 70 80
kead|ng
8erks County
8erks keg|on
A
US
nome Cwnersh|p ercentage: 200S-07 and 2010-12
200S-07
2010-12
.80-1 /2 ,/6- /P5-#1,$" ,8Q- 9#/""-9 $5 .-89$5:H P,$4,H %$G- 6/10 4/6"8#$1/5
8#-81H ,81 ;--5 5-:80$Q-%D 822-40-9 ;D 0,- ,/=1$5: 4#$1$1K
4S.3
S0.7
43.7
4S.6
42.4
46.3
4S.3
41.3
30 33 40 43 30 33 60
kead|ng
A||entown
Lancaster
ork
nomeownersh|p ercentage:
Compar|son C|t|es, 200S-07 and 2010-12
200S-07
2010-12
/"+0.*71 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>>L \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>>KE=>>L 'C*0'@*7G '$( =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7
F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G


?8:- 'E
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
A-40$/5 BBBC V80$5/ ?/"=%80$/5 ]#/P0,H \-6/:#8",$41H 859 </;1

Tbe oemograpblc lanoscape ot Reaolng bas cbangeo raploly ln recent oecaoes, ano one ot tbe most slg-
nltlcant trenos ls tbe steaoy lncrease ot tbe Latlno populatlon. 8y tbe tlme ot tbe 2010 Census well
over half of the Citys population (58%) belonged to this group. This section discusses the economic
ano oemograpblc cbaracterlstlcs ot Latlnos ln Reaolng.

Latlno growtb accelerateo ln tbe 1990s ano 2000s, over tbe same perloo ot tlme tbat Reaolng eperl-
enced a loss of its industrial base. Though some may think that Latinos are causing Readings economic
olttlcultles, we tlno tbat tbls ls not tbe case. As sbown ln Sectlon |, lt ls tbe loss ot a blstorlcal manutac-
turing base that drove Readings economic decline during these years, as it did in many other factory
towns, sucb as York (wbere Latlnos make a mucb smaller sbare ot tbe populatlon). Furtbermore, tbe
Latlno populatlon bas lncreaseo raploly ln botb Allentown ano Lancaster, botb ot wblcb bave bao bet-
ter economlc outcomes tban Reaolng.

Our oata palnt a plcture ot a large, economlcally actlve populatlon ot Latlnos. Demograpblcally, lt ls
more common tor Latlnos to llve ln tamlly bousebolos, ano we tlno tbat tbe meolan age ot Latlnos bas
lncreaseo over tbe long term. Tbls means tbat tbe Latlno populatlon, on average, ls gettlng oloer. |n
terms ot economlc cbaracterlstlcs, we tlno tbat tbe Latlno populatlon ls worklng, ano actually bas a
blgber rate ot labor torce partlclpatlon tban tbe general populatlon. Manutacturlng ls tbe lnoustry tbat
employs tbe largest sbare ot Latlnos, tolloweo by bealtb care. We also tlno tbat Latlnos are startlng
buslnesses ln Reaolng at a raplo pace. Flnally, tbe eoucatlon oata on page 30 sbow tbat Latlnos bave
lower levels ot eoucatlonal attalnment tban otber groups. As noteo ln sectlon ||, lncreaslng eoucatlonal
opportunltles ls lmportant, ano lnltlatlves tbat oo so tor tbe Latlno populatlon are especlally vltal.


?8:- 'L
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- 9-6/:#8",$41 /2 .-89$5: ,8Q- 1,$20-9 #8"$9%DH 81 0,- V80$5/ "/"=%80$/5
,81 :#/P5 859 0,- T,$0- "/"=%80$/5 ,81 9-4%$5-9K
/"+0.*1 J*$7+7 (';' *W;0'.;*( &0") ;D* N4$$*7";' 9"A+-';4"$ J*$;*0 S';4"$'- X47;"04.'- Y*"@0'AD4. :$&"0)';4"$ /67;*)
9*0.*$;'@*7 4$ ;D* 'B"C* @0'AD (" $"; '(( ;" ?>>M B*.'+7* ;D* J*$7+7 ;0*';7 0'.* F4%*% OD4;*< 2-'.UG '$( *;D$4.4;6 F4%*% 8';4$"< S"$E
8';4$"G '7 (47;4$.; .';*@"04*7% ^"0 *W')A-*< ;D* OD4;* .';*@"06 'B"C* 4$.-+(*7 8';4$"7 #D" '-7" 4(*$;4&6 '7 OD4;*%
S
1
1
3
4
1
1
6
1
3
10
12
S
3
9
2
S
18
21
12
8
13
3
10
37
31
24
17
16
6
16
S8
39
43
28
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
US A 8erks County kead|ng Lancaster C|ty A||entown ork C|ty
Lat|no ercentage of opu|at|on: 1970-2010
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
93
7
3
8S
8
10
79
10
18
S9
12
37
48
13
S8
0
100
Wh|te 8|ack Lat|no
kead|ng C|ty opu|at|on by kace and Lthn|c|ty 1970-2010
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010


?8:- 'U
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- 6-9$85 8:- /2 V80$5/1 $5 .-89$5: $1 $54#-81$5:K 7,$%9#-5 68G- =" 8
168%%-# "#/"/#0$/5 /2 0,- V80$5/ "/"=%80$/5 $5 '()( 0,85 $5 "#$/# D-8#1K
UL^ /2 V80$5/ ,/=1-,/%91 8#- 286$%D ,/=1-,/%91H 4/6"8#-9 0/ E)^
/2 S/5IV80$5/ ,/=1-,/%91
/"+0.*1 J*$7+7 (';' *W;0'.;*( &0") ;D* N4$$*7";' 9"A+-';4"$ J*$;*0 S';4"$'- X47;"04.'- Y*"@0'AD4. :$&"0)';4"$ /67;*)
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G
16
28
S2
4
1S
24
S7
4
13
24
S9
4
12
22
60
6
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
70
Under Age S Ages S-14 Ages 1S-S9 Ages 60 or Greater
Lat|no opu|at|on by Age
1980 1990 2000 2010
S1
76
49
24
0
100
Non Lat|no Lat|no
Iam||y nouseho|ds by Lthn|c|ty for kead|ng
lamlly
non lamlly


?8:- 'W
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
36"%/D6-50 "800-#51 $5 F-#G1 7/=50D Q8#D ;D -0,5$4$0DK +,- V80$5/ P/#G2/#4- $1 -1"-I
4$8%%D 4/54-50#80-9 $5 685=2840=#$5:K _0,-# 1$:5$2$4850 -6"%/D6-50 1-40/#1 8#- ,-8%0,
48#- 859 896$5$10#80$Q- 859 P810- 6858:-6-50 1-#Q$4-1K
/"+0.*1 2+0*'+ "& 8'B"0 /;';47;4.7 Z+'0;*0-6 O"0U&"0.* :$(4.';"07 H';'7*;< 'C*0'@* "& =>?? Z?EZ_ (';'
7.8 8.2
16.1
16.8
7.1
13.S
1S.S
S.2
4.1
8.4
2.3
4.4
7.6
12.9
8.6
8.S
23.2
16.1
1.7
S.4
6.1
0.8
0
100
Lat|no Non-Lat|no
roport|on of r|vate Sector Workforce 8y Industry and Lthn|c|ty
AgrlculLure
Mlnlng, uLlllLles, ConsLrucLlon
ManfacLurlng
Wholesale, LranporLaLlon
8eLall
llnance and real esLaLe
rofesslonal, sclence, managemenL,
lnformaLlon
AdmlnlsLraLlve and wasLe mgmL.
LducaLlon, oLher servlces
PealLh care
lood, accommodaLlon, arLs


?8:- 'R
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
B5 .-89$5:H 0,- V80$5/ #80- /2 %8;/# 2/#4- "8#0$4$"80$/5 $1 ,$:,-# 0,85 0,- /Q-#8%%
#80-K +,- 0#-59 /2 ,$:,-# %8;/# 2/#4- "8#0$4$"80$/5 $1 1$6$%8# 0/ 0,80 /2 !%%-5I
0/P5H 859 0,- XA 81 8 P,/%-K
V80$5/1H $54#-81$5:%DH 8#- ;-4/6$5: ;=1$5-11 /P5-#1 $5 .-89$5:K
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 /+0C*6 "& 2+74$*77 P#$*07 ?RRLE=>>L
30
32
34
36
38
60
62
64
66
68
70
kead|ng A||entown Lancaster ork 8erks
County
A US
Lat|no Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate
Lat|no
1ota|
3.3
2.2
1.2
6.6
7.8
1.8
27.4
20.9
S.S
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
kead|ng A||entown 8erks County
ercent of I|rms Cwned by Lat|nos
1997 2002 2007


.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
?8:- @(
+,- -9=480$/58% 8008$56-50 /2 V80$5/ 89=%01 $1 %/P-# 0,85 0,80 /2 /0,-# :#/="1K V80$5/
-9=480$/5 Q8#$-1 ;D 8#-8 V80$5/1 $5 .-89$5: 859 J/#G 7$0$-1 ,8Q- %/P-# -9=480$/5
%-Q-%1 0,85 V80$5/1 $5 V854810-# 859 !%%-50/P5K
S2
41
39
4S
20
1S
11
19
23
2S
22
20
27
32
36
39
49
37
36
48
43
39
48
S4
12
16
19
7
1S
17
18
13
24
20
20
14
4
4
4
S
4
9
6
S
4
6
3
6
S
8
3
4
13
22
29
14
6
10
7
6
0 100
kead|ng - Lat|no
A||entown - Lat|no
Lancaster - Lat|no
ork - Lat|no
kead|ng - Wh|te Non-Lat|no
A||entown - Wh|te Non-Lat|no
Lancaster - Wh|te Non-Lat|no
ork - Wh|te Non-Lat|no
kead|ng - 8|ack
A||entown - 8|ack
Lancaster - 8|ack
ork - 8|ack
Lducat|ona| Atta|nment by Lthn|c|ty and kace (Ages 2S+) for Compar|son C|t|es
Less than n|gh Schoo| n|gh Schoo| or GLD Some Co||ege Assoc|ate's Degree 8ache|or's Degree or n|gher
/"+0.*1 I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 =>?= \E6*'0 *7;4)';*7 F=>?>E=>?= 'C*0'@*7G


?8:- @)
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
A-40$/5 B`K V8;/# >/#4- +#-591 0,#/=:, 0,- .-4-11$/5

Although we have found that Readings economic crisis pre-oates tbe natlonal recesslon ot 2008, we
present tbese oata to sbow bow varlous oemograpblc groups bave tareo tbrougb tbls recent perloo ot
economic upheaval. The recession has certainly increased the economic hardships felt by Readings
populatlon. Unemployment, ln partlcular, bas jumpeo ano remalneo elevateo. Unoerstanolng wbo ls
most attecteo by negatlve labor torce trenos can serve as a guloe tor pollcymakers targetlng worktorce
oevelopment ano otber soclal support pollcles.

Tbe rate ot labor torce partlclpatlon ln Reaolng tell ourlng tbe recesslon, tor persons ot all ages, race
ano etbnlc groups, ano genoers (wltb tbe slngle eceptlon ot persons ages 65-74, wbo make up a very
small proportlon ot tbe labor torce). Tbls broao orop ln labor torce partlclpatlon across all groups
took place ln York as well, wblcb ls anotber notable slmllarlty between tbese economles. |n Reaolng,
persons ages 25-44, ano especlally, tbose ages 45-64 sbow partlcularly low levels ot labor torce partlcl-
patlon wben compareo to otber areas. Tbe 45-64 age group also saw an aooltlonal, slgnltlcant, orop ln
labor torce partlclpatlon over tbe course ot tbe recesslon.

Labor torce partlclpatlon ls typlcally lntluenceo by tbe unemployment rate, wblcb splkeo ourlng tbe
recesslon, ano oesplte lts slow oecllne, remalns elevateo tooay. Accorolng to tbe Census, tbe sbare ot
persons ln Reaolng wbo are actlvely seeklng a job but coulo not tlno employment jumpeo trom 11 ln
tbe 2005-07 perloo to 21 ln tbe 2010-12 perloo. Unemployment lncreaseo tor all oemograpblc
groups ln Reaolng, ano ln every otber comparlson area. We tlno, bowever, tbat tbe paln ot unemploy-
ment ls not olstrlbuteo equally: tbe young (ages 16-24), as well as 8lacks ano Latlnos, saw large ln-
creases ln levels ot unemployment tbat were alreaoy elevateo. Wben eamlneo by genoer, we tlno
tbat women ln Reaolng bave a blgber rate ot unemployment tban men, unllke most comparlson areas.
?,/0/ 7#-9$01C

Page 4Creatlve Com-
mons Llcense (CC) lm-
age courtesy ot Cbrls
Favero on Fllckr

Page 25CC lmage
courtesy ot Mlck Hott
on Fllckr

Page 31CC lmage
courtesy ot Anorew
Wertz on Fllckr.


?8:- @'
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- %8;/# 2/#4- "8#0$4$"80$/5 #80- ,81 28%%-5 1$:5$2$4850%D $5 .-89$5: 859 J/#G 7$0$-1H
P,$%- $0 ,81 #-68$5-9 10-89D /# 9#/""-9 1%$:,0%D $5 6/10 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81K
!"" $%&'() *+ '&$,) -./-0 1), 23 4,+)1) !5,%67&+ 4*551+689 31%:,9 .;;< -/9,&% ,)865&8,) =.;;0/.;;< &:,%&$/
,)> &+? .;@. -/9,&% ,)865&8,) =.;@;/.;@. &:,%&$,)>A B(,), ?&8& 7*5'&%, & '%,/%,7,))6*+ ',%6*? C68( 8(, 5*)8
%,7,+8 '*)8/%,7,))6*+ -/9,&% ?&8& &:&6"&D",A
30
32
34
36
38
60
62
64
66
68
70
8eadlng 8erks CounLy 8erks 8eglon A uS
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate
200S-07
2010-12
30
32
34
36
38
60
62
64
66
68
70
8eadlng AllenLown LancasLer ?ork
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate for Compar|son C|t|es
200S-07
2010-12


?8:- @@
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
T,-5 .-89$5: $1 4/6"8#-9 0/ /0,-# 8#-81H "-#1/51 8:-1 'EI** 859H -1"-4$8%%DH 0,/1- 8:-1
*EIL*H ,8Q- 0,- %8#:-10 9$1"8#$0D $5 %8;/# 2/#4- "8#0$4$"80$/5K +,-1- 8:- :#/="1 844/=50 2/#
6/10 /2 0,- %8;/# 2/#4- "8#0$4$"80$/5 :8" ;-0P--5 .-89$5: 859 0,- 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81K
0
10
20
30
40
30
60
70
80
90
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate by Age
2005-07
2010-12
40
43
30
33
60
63
70
73
80
83
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate by Age for Compar|son C|t|es
2005-07
2010-12


?8:- @*
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- %8;/# 2/#4- "8#0$4$"80$/5 #80- ,81 28%%-5 2/# 8%% #84-1 859 -0,5$4$0$-1
$5 .-89$5: 9=#$5: 0,- #-4-11$/5K V80$5/1 $5 .-89$5: ,8Q- 8 ,$:,-# #80- /2
V8;/# >/#4- ?8#0$4$"80$/5 0,85 /0,-# :#/="1K
30
33
60
63
70
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate by kace and Lthn|c|ty
2005-07
2010-12
30
33
60
63
70
73
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate by kace and Lthn|c|ty for Compar|son C|t|es
2005-07
2010-12
S";* ;D'; (';' 7D"#$ &"0 OD4;*7 47 ;D* A*0.*$;'@* "& OD4;* S"$E8';4$"7%


?8:- @E
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
M-5 859 P/6-5 $5 .-89$5: ;/0, #-9=4-9 0,-$# %8;/# 2/#4-
"8#0$4$"80$/5 9=#$5: 0,- #-4-11$/5K
33
60
63
70
73
80
83
90
8eadlng
ClLy Male
8erks Male 8erks
8eglon
Male
A Male uS Male 8eadlng
ClLy
lemale
8erks
lemale
8erks
8eglon
lemale
A lemale uS lemale
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate by Gender (Ages 20-64)
2005-07
2010-12
33
60
63
70
73
80
83
90
Labor Iorce art|c|pat|on kate by Gender (Ages 20-64) for Compar|son C|t|es
2005-07
2010-12


?8:- @L
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
/"+0.*1 9*$$76-C'$4' H*A'0;)*$; "& 8'B"0 '$( :$(+7;06

5 ?=E)"$;D )"C4$@ 'C*0'@* 47 +7*( 4$ "0(*0 ;" 0*)"C* ;D* *&&*.;7 "& $"0)'- 7*'7"$'- *)A-"6)*$; &-+.;+';4"$7% TD*7* (';' '0* B'7*(
"$ ' 7+0C*6 "& '0*' D"+7*D"-(7 0*A"0;*( B6 ;D* 95 H*A'0;)*$; "& 8'B"0 '$( :$(+7;06 F95H8:G%

TD* +$*)A-"6)*$; 0';* (';' 7D"#$ "$ A'@*7 \LE_> +7* ;D* I/ J*$7+7 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6< 0';D*0 ;D'$ ;D* 95H8: (';'
7D"#$ D*0*% I$*)A-"6)*$; 0';* (';' &0") ;D* J*$7+7 (" $"; )';.D 95H8: (';' '7 ' 0*7+-; "& (4&&*0*$; 7+0C*6 )*;D"("-"@4*7< 7')A-*
&0')*7< '$( ;4)4$@% OD4-* 95H8: (';' A0"C4(*7 )"0* ;4)*-6 '$( &0*`+*$; (';'< ;D* J*$7+7 (';' A0"C4(*7 (';' 'B"+; ;D* -'B"0 &"0.*
(6$')4.7 "& 7A*.4&4. (*)"@0'AD4. @0"+A7%
Readings rate of unemployment is higher than Berks County, Pennsylva-
5$8H 859 0,- S80$/5K +,/=:, 0,$1 #80- $1 9-4%$5$5:H =5-6"%/D6-50 #-68$51
1$:5$2$4850%D 8;/Q- ,$10/#$4 8Q-#8:-1K
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
u
e
c

1
9
9
0
u
e
c

1
9
9
1
u
e
c

1
9
9
2
u
e
c

1
9
9
3
u
e
c

1
9
9
4
u
e
c

1
9
9
3
u
e
c

1
9
9
6
u
e
c

1
9
9
7
u
e
c

1
9
9
8
u
e
c

1
9
9
9
u
e
c

2
0
0
0
u
e
c

2
0
0
1
u
e
c

2
0
0
2
u
e
c

2
0
0
3
u
e
c

2
0
0
4
u
e
c

2
0
0
3
u
e
c

2
0
0
6
u
e
c

2
0
0
7
u
e
c

2
0
0
8
u
e
c

2
0
0
9
u
e
c

2
0
1
0
u
e
c

2
0
1
1
u
e
c

2
0
1
2
u
e
c

2
0
1
3
Unemp|oyment kate (12 month mov|ng average)
8eadlng ClLy
8erks
A
uS


?8:- @U
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
/"+0.*1 9*$$76-C'$4' H*A'0;)*$; "& 8'B"0 '$( :$(+7;06% ?=E)"$;D )"C4$@ 'C*0'@* +7*( ;" 0*)"C* ;D* *&&*.;7 "& $"0)'- 7*'7"$'-
*)A-"6)*$; &-+.;+';4"$7%
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
u
e
c

1
9
9
0
u
e
c

1
9
9
1
u
e
c

1
9
9
2
u
e
c

1
9
9
3
u
e
c

1
9
9
4
u
e
c

1
9
9
3
u
e
c

1
9
9
6
u
e
c

1
9
9
7
u
e
c

1
9
9
8
u
e
c

1
9
9
9
u
e
c

2
0
0
0
u
e
c

2
0
0
1
u
e
c

2
0
0
2
u
e
c

2
0
0
3
u
e
c

2
0
0
4
u
e
c

2
0
0
3
u
e
c

2
0
0
6
u
e
c

2
0
0
7
u
e
c

2
0
0
8
u
e
c

2
0
0
9
u
e
c

2
0
1
0
u
e
c

2
0
1
1
u
e
c

2
0
1
2
u
e
c

2
0
1
3
Unemp|oyment kate (12-month mov|ng average)
8eadlng ClLy
AllenLown ClLy
LancasLer ClLy
?ork ClLy
The unemployment rates of all comparison cities remain high. Yorks unemployment
#80- $1 1%$:,0%D ,$:,-# 0,85 0,/1- /2 .-89$5: 859 !%%-50/P5K


?8:- @W
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
+,- =5-6"%/D6-50 #80-1 /2 .-89$5: 859 J/#G ,8Q- $54#-81-9
6/#- 0,85 0,/1- /2 0,- /0,-# 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81
!"" $%&'() *+ '&$,) -E/F@ 1), 23 4,+)1) !5,%67&+ 4*551+689 31%:,9 .;;< -/9,&% ,)865&8,) =.;;0/.;;< &:,%&$/
,)> &+? .;@. -/9,&% ,)865&8,) =.;@;/.;@. &:,%&$,)>A B(,), ?&8& 7*5'&%, & '%,/%,7,))6*+ ',%6*? C68( 8(, 5*)8
%,7,+8 '*)8/%,7,))6*+ -/9,&% ?&8& &:&6"&D",A
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
8eadlng ClLy 8erks CounLy 8erks 8eglon A uS
Unemp|oyment kate
2005-07
2010-12
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
8eadlng ClLy AllenLown ClLy LancasLer ClLy ?ork ClLy
Unemp|oyment kate for Compar|son C|t|es
2005-07
2010-12


?8:- @R
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
33
40
43
30
Unemp|oyment kate by Age
J/=5: "-/"%- Y8:-1 )LI'*Z ,8Q- 6=4, ,$:,-# #80-1 /2
=5-6"%/D6-50 0,85 /0,-# 8:- :#/="1 $5 8%% 8#-81K
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
33
40
43
30
33
60
Unemp|oyment kate by Age for Compar|son C|t|es
200S-07
2010-12
2005-07
2010-12


?8:- *(
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
Unemp|oyment kate
2010-12
200S-07
X5-6"%/D6-50 #80-1 ,8Q- #$1-5 2/# 8%% #84- 859 -0,5$4 :#/="1 $5 .-89$5:K
F%84G1 ,8Q- 0,- ,$:,-10 #80- /2 =5-6"%/D6-50 $5 .-89$5:H 2/%%/P-9 ;D V80$5/1K
+,$1 "800-#5 $1 1$6$%8# 0/ 6/10 4/6"8#$1/5 8#-81 859 4$0$-1K
Unemployment Rate by Race and Ethnicity
0
3
10
13
20
23
30
33
40
Unemp|oyment kate by kace and Lthn|c|ty for Compar|son C|t|es
S";* ;D'; (';' 7D"#$ &"0 OD4;*7 47 ;D* A*0.*$;'@* "& OD4;* S"$E8';4$"7%
2005-07
2010-12


?8:- *)
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
X5%$G- /0,-# 8#-81H P/6-5 $5 .-89$5: ,8Q- 8 1$:5$2$4850%D
,$:,-# #80- /2 =5-6"%/D6-50 0,85 6-5K
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
Unemp|oyment kate by Gender
2005-07
2010-12
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
8eadlng
Male
8eadlng
lemale
AllenLown
Male
AllenLown
lemale
LancasLer
Male
LancasLer
lemale
?ork Male ?ork
lemale
Unemp|oyment kate by Gender for Compar|son C|t|es
2005-07
2010-12


?8:- *'
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
F85G1 ,8Q- #-9=4-9 4/66-#4$8% %/851 0/ 168%% ;=1$5-11-1 $5 .-89$5:H !%%-50/P5H 859
J/#GH 81 P-%% 81 0,-$# 1=##/=59$5: 4/=50$-1K +,- 9-4%$5- $5 %/851 $1 10--"-10 $5 0,- 7$0D
/2 .-89$5:H P,-#- 0,- Q/%=6- /2 %/851 9$1;=#1-9 $5 '()' $1 ,8%2 0,80 /2 '((EK
/"+0.*1 ^*(*0'- ^4$'$.4'- :$7;4;+;4"$7 3W')4$';4"$7 J"+$.4-< J"))+$4;6 Q*4$C*7;)*$; 5.; FJQ5G (';' 0*A"0;7< =>>KE=>?=% S";* ;D'; $";
'-- ."))*0.4'- -*$(4$@ 47 0*A"0;*( '7 A'0; "& ;D* JQ5< 7" ;D* 'B"C* (';' 0*A0*7*$;7 ' A"0;4"$ "& ;";'- ."))*0.4'- -*$(4$@ 4$ *'.D A*04"(%
A-40$/5 `K V/48% F=1$5-11 \-Q-%/"6-50 7,8%%-5:-1 859 _""/#0=5$0$-1

Tbls sectlon lncluoes two olsplays relateo to tbe potentlal tor small buslness oevelopment ln Reaolng
Clty. Flrst, we see tbat banks bave reouceo tbelr lenolng to small buslnesses slnce tbe tlnanclal crlsls
ot 2008. Tbls ls tbe case botb tor Cltles (Reaolng, Allentown, York Clty) ano tbelr surrounolng coun-
tles (8erks, Leblgb, York County). Tbe oecllne bas been steepest ln Reaolng Clty, ano wblle 8erks
County sbows slgns ot recovery ln tbls metrlc, lenolng ln Reaolng contlnues to slloe tbrougb 2012
(tbe latest year tor wblcb oata ls avallable). |t ls llkely tbat tbe loss ot capltal trom tbe banklng sector
ls bavlng a oampenlng ettect on entrepreneurlal actlvlty.

Tbe secono olsplay, on page 43, ls a prellmlnary result trom an ongolng stuoy ot resloentlal spenolng
power ln Reaolng Clty. Tbese oata sbow tbat tbere ls a slgnltlcant amount ot bousebolo-baseo eco-
nomlc actlvlty taklng place ln Clty nelgbborbooos. Altbougb lncomes, on average, are lower ln tbe
Clty, lts oense resloentlal oevelopment means tbat aggregate spenolng ls very blgb. Tbe presence ot
sucb a large volume ot bousebolo spenolng tbrougbout Reaolng Clty suggests tbe broao potentlal tor
local buslness oevelopment, partlcularly ln tbe retall, bousebolo servlces, ano personal servlces sec-
tors. Initiatives that provide capital and other assistance to the Citys entrepreneurs have the poten-
tial to provide significant economic benefits to Readings economy as a whole.
-30
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
200S 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

e
r
c
e
n
t

C
h
a
n
g
e

f
r
o
m

2
0
0
S
ercent Change In Sma|| 8us|ness Loan Vo|umes
kead|ng C|ty A||entown C|ty ork C|ty
8erks County Leh|gh County ork County


?8:- *@
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0
\-1"$0- ,8Q$5: %/P-# ,/=1-,/%9 $54/6-1H 0,- 86/=50 /2 ,/=1-,/%9 1"-59I
$5: "-# 1a=8#- 6$%- $1 ,$:,-10 $5 .-89$5:K +,$1 $%%=10#80-1 0,- "/0-50$8% 2/#
;=1$5-11 9-Q-%/"6-50 $5 0,- 7$0DK
37;4)';*7 .'-.+-';*( B6 83J +74$@ 5)*04.'$ J"))+$4;6 /+0C*6 4$.")* (47;04B+;4"$ (';' '; ;D* 2-".U Y0"+A -*C*- F=>?? KE6*'0 *7;4E
)';*7G '$( 2+0*'+ "& 8'B"0 /;';47;4.7 J"$7+)*0 3WA*$(4;+0* /+0C*6 (';'%
Under $50 Million
$50 " $125 Million
$125 " $250 Million
$250 " $400 Million
$400 " $700 Million



+,- V/48% 34/5/6D 7-50-#
Antonlo Callarl, Dlrector
Protessor Llnoa Alecl, Faculty
Protessor Nlcbolas Montgomery, Faculty
Protessor Yeva Nerslsyan, Faculty
Protessor Lvelyn Wrlgbt, Faculty
Lvan Gentry, Researcb Speclallst
Arya Bhattarai 15, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Shangquin Chen 14, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Darielle Christman 14, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Gabrielle Connor 14, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Jennifer Dickey 14, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Seok Kim 14, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Mussie Tizazu 14, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Ameesh Upadhyay 15, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Zefang Wang 15, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
Zhang Ka Chun Zhang Guo Xiong 16, Seachrist Public Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Fellow
.-89$5: 34/5/6$4 .-"/#0 I <=5- '()*
The Local Economy Centers mission is to
otter stuoents opportunltles tor prlmary re-
searcb on tbe local economy ano to enable
the communitys diverse constituencies to
work togetber towaro ettectlve, lncluslve,
ano sustalnable economlc oevelopment
strategles. Tbrougb lts actlvltles ano publlca-
tlons, tbe Center promotes communlty
awareness ot economlc oevelopment mat-
ters, enllsts stuoents ano taculty to meet tbe
research needs of the communitys econom-
lc oevelopment constltuencles, ano brlngs
tbe best avallable tblnklng ano practlces to
tbe communlty.