Reading is the county town of Berkshire in South East England.
The population of Reading increased steadily throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1801, the population of Reading was around 10,000. By 1911 it was approximately 82,000 and by 2001 it was over 143,000.
During the 19th century, the town became a manufacturing centre. Companies established in Reading during this time included biscuit makers Huntley and Palmer, Suttons Seeds, and Simonds Brewery.
In the 1840s and 1850s rail links to the town were established. The Great Western Railway, South Eastern Railway, and London and South Western Railway all built stations in the town. The arrival of the railway helped local firms develop and expanded the town’s economy, resulting in population growth.
Today, Reading is a major technology hub. It lies on the M4 Corridor, often referred to as England’s Silicon Valley UK. The Reading area is home to the UK headquarters of companies such as Microsoft and Oracle.
The current population of Reading is 174,800.
The University of Reading was founded in 1892 as an extension college of Oxford University. It was granted full university status in 1926. It now has around 20,000 students.
The biggest campus is in Wokingham, just outside Reading. The London Road Campus is near Reading town centre, while the Greenlands Campus lies in Buckinghamshire.
The town is governed by Reading Borough Council.
Current Population Statistics
According to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current population of Reading is 174,800.
As of , the latest ONS statistics are for 2022.
The table below details population statistics for Reading over the past few years, split by age group.
| Year | Total Population of Reading | Population Aged 0 to 15 | Population Aged 0 to 15 % | Population Aged 16 to 64 | Population Aged 16 to 64 % | Population Aged 65+ | Population Aged 65+ % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 163,100 | 31,900 | 19.56 | 112,300 | 68.85 | 18,900 | 11.59 |
| 2014 | 166,300 | 32,800 | 19.72 | 114,200 | 68.67 | 19,300 | 11.61 |
| 2015 | 169,200 | 33,400 | 19.74 | 116,200 | 68.68 | 19,600 | 11.58 |
| 2016 | 171,800 | 33,600 | 19.56 | 118,300 | 68.86 | 19,800 | 11.53 |
| 2017 | 173,000 | 33,900 | 19.60 | 119,200 | 68.90 | 20,000 | 11.56 |
| 2018 | 174,500 | 33,800 | 19.37 | 120,400 | 69.00 | 20,300 | 11.63 |
| 2019 | 174,300 | 33,500 | 19.22 | 120,200 | 68.96 | 20,600 | 11.82 |
| 2020 | 173,900 | 33,400 | 19.21 | 119,800 | 68.89 | 20,800 | 11.96 |
| 2021 | 173,400 | 32,700 | 18.86 | 119,500 | 68.92 | 21,100 | 12.17 |
| 2022 | 174,800 | 33,200 | 18.99 | 120,200 | 68.76 | 21,400 | 12.24 |
Population Growth
As can be seen from the data in the table above, the population of Reading increased from 163,100 in 2013 to 174,800 in 2022.
This represents a population growth rate of 7.17%.
Demographics of Reading - Age Groups
In 2013, 31,900 children lived in Reading; 19.56% of the total population.
In 2022, 33,200 children lived there, which was 18.99% of the total population. The percentage of children living in Reading in recent years has been falling.
In 2013, 112,300 adults lived in Reading, representing 68.85% of the total population.
In 2022, 120,200 adults lived there, representing 68.76% of the total population. The percentage of adults living in Reading in recent years has been declining.
In 2013, 18,900 elderly people lived in Reading, 11.59% of the total population.
In 2022, 21,400 elderly people lived there, or 12.24% of the total population. The percentage of elderly people living in Reading in recent years has been increasing.
Demographics of Reading - Gender
There are currently more males than females in Reading.
87,500 males were living there in 2022 (50.06% of the total).
87,300 females were living there in 2022 (49.94% of the total).
Population statistics by gender for Reading between 2013 and 2022 are shown in the table below.
| Date | Total | Males | % | Females | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 163,100 | 81,600 | 50.03 | 81,500 | 49.97 |
| 2014 | 166,300 | 83,100 | 49.97 | 83,200 | 50.03 |
| 2015 | 169,200 | 84,500 | 49.94 | 84,700 | 50.06 |
| 2016 | 171,800 | 85,700 | 49.88 | 86,100 | 50.12 |
| 2017 | 173,000 | 86,300 | 49.88 | 86,700 | 50.12 |
| 2018 | 174,500 | 86,700 | 49.68 | 87,800 | 50.32 |
| 2019 | 174,300 | 86,700 | 49.74 | 87,600 | 50.26 |
| 2020 | 173,900 | 86,500 | 49.74 | 87,400 | 50.26 |
| 2021 | 173,400 | 86,500 | 49.88 | 86,800 | 50.06 |
| 2022 | 174,800 | 87,500 | 50.06 | 87,300 | 49.94 |
2021 Census - Reading
Censuses provide useful information about the general demographics of the nation, such as age breakdowns, marital status, occupation, ethnicity, etc.
Since 1801, there has been a census in the UK every 10 years (with some exceptions).
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the organization responsible for collecting and publishing official statistics in England and Wales. In Northern Ireland it is the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NIRSA), and in Scotland it is National Records of Scotland (NRS).
Census statistics help paint a picture of the nation. Data from the census is used by authorities in planning and delivering public services, developing laws, and allocating resources.
The 2021 Census took place on 21 March 2021. It was the first census to be carried out primarily online.
The data from the 2021 Census for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be released in summer 2022.
The previous census was in 2011. Population statistics for Reading are detailed below.
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Reading
As of today, the most recent published UK Census data was for 2011. Results of the 2011 United Kingdom Census showed that the total population of Reading was 155,698.
The number of males living in Reading was 77,967 (50.08% of the total resident population). The number of females was 77,731 (49.92% of the total resident population).
Population Density
Reading covers an area of 4,040 hectares. The population density was 38.54 persons per hectare.
2011 Census Data - Ethnic Groups in Reading
Whites were the largest ethnic group in Reading. 116,387 (74.75%) of the total population of 155,698 identified as white.
Reading has a lower percentage white population than the average for England (85.42%).
Asians were the second-largest ethnic group in Reading. 21,161 (13.59%) of the population identified as Asian.
Reading has a higher percentage Asian population than the average for England (7.82%).
| Ethnicity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 116,387 | 74.75 |
| Mixed | 6,180 | 3.97 |
| Asian | 21,161 | 13.59 |
| Black | 10,470 | 6.72 |
| Total | 155,698 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Religion in Reading
Christians were the largest religious group in Reading. 77,848 (50.00%) of the total population of 155,698 identified as Christian.
Reading has a lower percentage Christian population than the average for England (59.38%).
Muslims were the second-largest religious group in Reading. 11,007 (7.07%) of the population identified as Muslim.
Reading has a higher percentage Muslim population than the average for England (5.02%).
| Religion | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 77,848 | 50.00 |
| Muslim | 11,007 | 7.07 |
| Hindu | 5,661 | 3.64 |
| Buddhist | 1,876 | 1.20 |
| Sikh | 947 | 0.61 |
| Jewish | 355 | 0.23 |
| Other | 701 | 0.45 |
| No Religion | 45,931 | 29.50 |
| Religion Not Stated | 11,372 | 7.30 |
| Total | 155,698 | 100.00 |
Location and Transport
Reading is located in the Thames Valley region of South East England, approximately 35 miles west of Central London. It is bordered by Wokingham, West Berkshire, and South Oxfordshire.
Reading lies on the route of the M4, the motorway linking South Wales to London. Other destinations on the M4 include Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol, Swindon, Slough, and London Heathrow Airport.
Train stations in the town are Reading, Reading West, and Tilehurst.
Reading is one of the busiest stations in the UK.
The closest airport is London Heathrow Airport.
