Reading on the map

Reading built-up area

Built-up area42.1 km² (16.3 sq mi)

Location in BerkshireReading sits where the marker shows within the county.

377,132
Population
135,007
Households
6 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£69,438
Avg. household income
16,255
Businesses
725
People per km²
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About Reading

Reading is a large town located in Berkshire, England, with the postcode area RG1. It serves as an important commercial and cultural centre in the region. The town is well-connected, with a railway station that provides regular services to London and other major cities, making it a convenient location for commuters. Reading is also home to several shopping areas, including the Oracle shopping centre, which features a variety of high street and independent shops.

In addition to its commercial offerings, Reading has a number of parks and green spaces, such as Forbury Gardens and Prospect Park, which provide areas for relaxation and outdoor activities. The town hosts various events throughout the year, including the Reading Festival, which attracts music lovers from all over the country. With its blend of urban amenities and green spaces, Reading offers a diverse experience for residents and visitors alike.

School Ratings in Reading

Reading is served by 149 schools. Kendrick School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 11 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Reading

Property prices average £495K across the area, and semi-detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £435K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Reading

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Shoplifting accounts for the highest share in Reading, with 413 incidents logged in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Reading

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Reading falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Healthcare in Reading

There are 49 GP surgeries within three miles of Reading, the nearest being Abbey Medical Centre (0.2 miles away).

Local Data for Reading

Dig deeper into the area around Reading with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 47,177 sales

Average Price £495K
£100 , £119.32M
Detached £693K 11,236
Semi £435K 12,151
Terraced £346K 11,984
Flat £249K 9,846

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

82 Primary
19 Secondary
48 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 11

Ofsted ratings for schools in the RG1 postcode area.

The Deenway Montessori School Not applicable Good 0.4 miles Katesgrove Primary School Primary Good 0.5 miles Kendrick School Secondary Outstanding 0.5 miles E P Collier Primary School Primary Good 0.5 miles Coley Primary School Primary Good 0.5 miles Civitas Academy Primary Good 0.5 miles The Abbey School Reading Not applicable 0.7 miles Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading Not applicable 0.7 miles Oxford Road Community School Primary Good 0.7 miles Thameside Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles River Academy Secondary 0.8 miles Trinity Christian School Good 0.8 miles

Household Income in Reading ONS 2023

The average total household income in Reading is approximately £69,438 a year before tax, 26% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £50,052. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Reading £69,438
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £50,052.

Businesses in Reading ONS 2025

There are approximately 16,255 active businesses based in Reading, around 43 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 387 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

16,255 Total businesses
43 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 8%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Reading IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Reading in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
6/10
Income
6/10
Employment
7/10
Education
6/10
Health
6/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
4/10
Children 0-15 19%
Working age 65%
Older 65+ 16%
73,107 Children (0-15) 19%
245,428 Working Age 65%
58,571 Older (65+) 16%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 30.6% of children in income-deprived families
Below Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 34% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Reading 2,423 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Reading experiences crime rates that are roughly comparable to the national picture. Violence & sexual offences is the most reported category, consistent with broader patterns across similar communities. Day-to-day life here reflects the usual mix of challenges found in any established city.

Violence & Sexual Offences 875
Shoplifting 413
Anti-Social Behaviour 246
Other Theft 181
Public Order 167
Criminal Damage & Arson 153
Vehicle Crime 94
Burglary 55
Drugs 55
Other Crime 51
Bicycle Theft 48
Robbery 42
Theft from Person 27
Weapons 16
Local Policing
Thames Valley Abbey and Battle Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Reading West Train Station 0.7 miles
Earley Train Station 2.6 miles
Tilehurst Train Station 2.7 miles
Winnersh Triangle Train Station 3.9 miles
Winnersh Train Station 4.5 miles
Theale Train Station 4.7 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Coley 0.6 miles The Mount 0.9 miles Lower Caversham 0.9 miles New Town 1.2 miles Caversham 1.2 miles Whiteknights 1.4 miles Caversham Heights 1.4 miles Whitley 1.9 miles Emmer Green 2 miles Southcote 2.2 miles Littlestead Green 2.2 miles Horncastle 2.6 miles

Local Government

District Reading
Ward Abbey
Constituency Reading East
Parish Reading, unparished area
Region South East

Home Ownership in Reading

Of the 147,713 households in and around Reading, 65% are owned, 12% are socially rented and 23% are privately rented. Home ownership here is in line with the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 65% Social rented 12% Private rented 23%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Reading.

Frequently Asked Questions about Reading

What is the population of Reading?
Reading has a population of approximately 377,132 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Reading?
The average property in and around Reading sold for about £495,073, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 42% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Reading a deprived area?
Reading sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 6 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Reading?
Reading is covered by the RG1, RG10, RG19, RG2, RG30, RG31, RG4, RG5, RG6, RG7, RG8 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Reading?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Reading, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Reading?
The nearest railway station to Reading is Reading West Train Station, about 0.7 miles away.

Streets in Reading 30 shown View all streets

2 2 A3290 1 A33 4 A339 14 A340 10 A4 5 A4074 3 A4155 2 Abattoirs Road 1 Abbey Gardens 2 Abbey Park 1 Abbey Square 3 Abbey Street 4 Abbot's Road 2 Abbot's Walk 2 Abbots Close 1 Abbotsmead Place 2 Abbottsleigh Gardens 1 Aberaman 1 Aberford Close 1 Abingdon Drive 4 Acorn Gardens 2 Acorn Walk 1 Acre Road 3 Adams Way 1 Addams Mews 1 Adder's Lane 2 Addington Gardens 1 Addington Road 9 Addiscombe Chase 1

Postcodes in Reading 50 shown View all postcodes

RG1 1AF RG1 1AR RG1 1AX RG1 1AZ RG1 1BU RG1 1BX RG1 1DA RG1 1DB RG1 1DD RG1 1DG RG1 1DN RG1 1DP RG1 1DT RG1 1DX RG1 1ED RG1 1EG RG1 1EH RG1 1EL RG1 1EN RG1 1EP RG1 1EQ RG1 1ES RG1 1ET RG1 1EU RG1 1EX RG1 1HD RG1 1HE RG1 1HN RG1 1HP RG1 1HR RG1 1HW RG1 1JB RG1 1JD RG1 1JF RG1 1JJ RG1 1JP RG1 1JT RG1 1JW RG1 1JX RG1 1JY RG1 1LD RG1 1LG RG1 1LH RG1 1LN RG1 1LT RG1 1LX RG1 1LY RG1 1LZ RG1 1NA RG1 1NB