People and census in Reading
Unitary authorityThe north west of the South East. 183,762 people in 40 square kilometres.
24 layers about people and census for Reading, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
Reading’s 514 output areas range from 102 to 1,155.
What is the population of Reading?
Reading had 174,224 usual residents at the census.
Reading is the 138th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilReading had 174,224 usual residents at the census.
Reading is the 138th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilReading’s population was an estimated 183,762 in mid-2025.
The population rose 0.5% in the year to mid-2025.
Reading is 134th most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council70.2% of residents in Reading were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In South East the figure is 63.1%.
- Against South East
- 11% higher63.1%
Aged 65 and over
Council12.0% of residents in Reading were aged 65 or over at the census.
In South East the figure is 19.4%.
- Against South East
- 38% lower19.4%
Aged under 15
Council17.8% of residents in Reading were aged under 15 at the census.
In South East the figure is 17.4%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher17.4%
Born outside the UK
Council33.5% of residents in Reading were born outside the UK.
In South East the figure is 15.8%.
- Against South East
- 2.1 times15.8%
Disability
Council13.8% of residents in Reading had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In South East the figure is 16.1%.
- Against South East
- 14% lower16.1%
Good or very good health
Council85.6% of residents in Reading said their health was good or very good.
In South East the figure is 84.0%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher84.0%
Households
CouncilReading had 67,683 households at the census.
Reading is 147th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council28.4% of households in Reading had no car or van at the census.
In South East the figure is 16.9%.
- Against South East
- 1.7 times16.9%
Owner-occupied homes
Council51.7% of households in Reading owned their home at the census.
In South East the figure is 67.1%.
- Against South East
- 23% lower67.1%
Population density
CouncilReading had 4,314 people per square kilometre at the census.
In South East the figure is 486 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against South East
- 8.9 times486 per km²
Private rented homes
Council31.9% of households in Reading rented privately at the census.
In South East the figure is 19.2%.
- Against South East
- 1.7 times19.2%
Social rented homes
Council16.1% of households in Reading rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In South East the figure is 13.6%.
- Against South East
- 18% higher13.6%
Degree-level qualifications
CouncilEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland only40.4% of residents aged 16 and over in Reading had a degree-level qualification at the census.
In South East the figure is 35.8%.
- Against South East
- 13% higher35.8%
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh
CouncilEngland and Wales only17.7% of residents in Reading identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 7.0%.
- Against South East
- 2.5 times7.0%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African
CouncilEngland and Wales only7.2% of residents in Reading identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 2.4%.
- Against South East
- 3 times2.4%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only5.1% of residents in Reading identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 2.8%.
- Against South East
- 1.8 times2.8%
Other ethnic group
CouncilEngland and Wales only2.9% of residents in Reading identified with another ethnic group, including Arab.
In South East the figure is 1.5%.
- Against South East
- 1.9 times1.5%
White ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only67.1% of residents in Reading identified with a White ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 86.3%.
- Against South East
- 22% lower86.3%
Christian
CouncilEngland and Wales only39.6% of residents in Reading said they were Christian.
In South East the figure is 46.5%.
- Against South East
- 15% lower46.5%
No religion
CouncilEngland and Wales only36.3% of residents in Reading said they had no religion.
In South East the figure is 40.2%.
- Against South East
- 10% lower40.2%
Working mainly from home
CouncilEngland and Wales only39.3% of working residents in Reading worked mainly from home in March 2021.
In South East the figure is 35.8%.
- Against South East
- 10% higher35.8%
Annual population change
CouncilReading’s estimated population changed by 0.5% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.
- Against South East
- 17% lower0.6%
- Against the UK
- 1.7 times0.3%