Reading Population 2026

Reading has a population of 87,879, making it the #393 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in Pennsylvania. It is about 100× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.

Location of Reading (capital Washington shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

87,879

Rank in United States

#393

Coordinates

40.34°N, 75.93°W

~93 m elevation · America/New_York

Distance to capital (Washington)

186 km

116 miles, straight line

Other big cities in Pennsylvania

City	Population	Rank in United States
Philadelphia	1,573,916	#6
Pittsburgh	304,391	#65
Allentown	120,207	#244
Erie	99,475	#328
Scranton	77,118	#477
Bethlehem	74,892	#502
Bensalem	60,427	#678
Lancaster	59,339	#695

Cities near Reading

Pottstown22,664 people · ~26 km away
Limerick18,074 people · ~36 km away
Lebanon25,534 people · ~41 km away
Phoenixville16,658 people · ~42 km away
Lancaster59,339 people · ~46 km away
Allentown120,207 people · ~48 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Reading?

Reading has a population of 87,879 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #393 biggest city in United States.

What state is Reading in?

Reading is located in Pennsylvania, United States.

Is Reading the capital of United States?

No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 186 km away.

Sources & notes

Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.

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