Berks
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Against every county in America, Berks County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the top 5% of American counties (1.86%), natural-hazard risk is in the top 11% of American counties (89 of 100), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 15% of American counties ($1,114 a month). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 3rd of 67 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Berks County, Pennsylvania. 428,483 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -103).

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $74,617 a year, higher than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $63,608. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 78% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,291 a year.

Home

The median home costs $312K, pricier than 72% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,114 a month. Property tax is 1.86% of home value, roughly $4,202 a year on that median home, higher than 95% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.0 years, longer than 75% of American counties. There are 1,036 active physicians in the county, about 24.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 9.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.86 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 70% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 9 points. 66% of eligible voters turned out. Under Pennsylvania law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 53°F, highs near 63 and lows near 42, colder than 64% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 89 out of 100, riskier than 89% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 273 Mbps down, faster than 85% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 14 museums, 1 National Park Service site.