In December 2007, NBC's Today show featured Reading as one of the country's top four "Up and Coming Neighborhoods." Corcoran interviewed residents and looked for areas of significant change. They noted clean-ups of parks, waterfronts, and warehouses. The area's proximity to Philadelphia was also noted. The United States Census Bureau does not guarantee the accuracy of this data. Listed below are some interesting facts about Reading, PA.
African American populations in Reading are small, despite the increasing diversity of the city. By the 1970s, there are just 5,704 African Americans living in Reading Center City. Tropical Storm Agnes displaces many of the city's African American residents and forces them to seek new housing elsewhere in the city. The first African American city council member, Rev. Frank McCracken, joins the council in 1977, and in 1980, the city's African American population is up to 6,270.
Reading's City Park is home to several monuments and works of public art. The Frederick Lauer Monument is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. Another notable structure in the city is the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower, which rises 120 feet above fifth and Penn Streets. Atop the tower, you can see a 60-mile panorama. There are many places in Reading to visit while in the area.
In 2007, the area's population was 33,077 people. The population of Reading is largely composed of middle class residents. There are about 7,000 households in Reading. While the majority of residents are middle class, one-fifth of the population lives below the poverty line. The area's economy is characterized by heavy industry, railroads, and a national trend of urban decline. The city suffered extensive flooding in 1972 due to Hurricane Agnes. This wasn't the first flood to hit the area, but it wasn't the last. The flooding in June 2006 was less severe.