Reading, PA town hall & government
Reading spent $203 million in the year to December 31, 2023, about $2,140 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Reading's government.
Who runs Reading
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Reading's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 33%
- Utility sales 17%
- Income taxes 15%
- Property taxes 13%
- From the state 7%
- Other taxes & licenses 7%
- From the federal government 4%
- Interest, fines & other 2%
- Sales taxes <1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Reading
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Reading School District
Reading's K–12 school district. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal
- Local 14%
- State 68%
- Federal 18%
Of the $16,836 per pupil, $9,863 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Reading kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Reading pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Reading's government
Who represents Reading
Reading is represented in Congress by Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick and Representative Chrissy Houlahan. Josh Shapiro is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.