The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is pleased to share the latest Economic Intelligence Report for Berks County, developed in partnership with the EDC Lancaster Center for Regional Analysis. This quarterly update provides a detailed overview of how national and state trends are shaping our local economy, with a focus on employment, wages, housing and consumer activity.
These insights are designed to help business leaders, policymakers and community partners make informed decisions and prepare for the months ahead. As 2025 continues to evolve, understanding how national forces translate to local impacts is more important than ever.
It has been a complicated year for the U.S. economy, shaped by tariff uncertainty, delayed federal data, a prolonged government shutdown and persistent inflationary pressures. These national dynamics are showing up in real ways here in Berks County. As businesses navigate tight labor markets, shifting hiring patterns and rising consumer stress, the region continues to demonstrate both resilience and transition.
Our Q3 Economic Intelligence Report provides a snapshot of these conditions and what they mean for employers, workers and the community.
A COOLING LABOR MARKET BUT STRONG HIRING DEMAND REMAINS
Berks County’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in Q3, the highest level since 2021. While this increase is notable, several factors help explain why unemployment is rising even as job opportunities remain plentiful:
- An aging population is accelerating retirements and shrinking the labor pool
- Fewer foreign-born workers, due to tighter national immigration policies, are reducing the availability of workers in key industries
- Employers are becoming more selective, taking longer to fill positions amid economic uncertainty, higher operating costs and tariff-related volatility
At the same time, hiring demand across the region remains strong. Nearly 4,000 unique job postings were recorded in September, about 900 more than last year, with particular growth in manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and warehousing and professional services. Many of these openings require specialized or technical skills, contributing to longer hiring timelines and a widening skills mismatch.
This combination of higher unemployment and elevated job postings mirrors national labor-market trends highlighted during GRCA’s Economic Forecast Breakfast: a labor market in transition, not decline (read more about the breakfast in the Reading Eagle).
INFLATION: HOUSEHOLDS ARE FEELING IT
Headline and core inflation both sit at 3.0%, driven primarily by rising service-sector costs. As inflation persists, household financial stress is mounting:
- Severely delinquent debt has reached a 20-year high (16.6%)
- Consumer sentiment declined 5.6 points nationally in Q3, reflecting tariff uncertainty and higher living costs
Rising delinquencies suggest households are stretched even as wage growth remains solid.
GRCA’s Role
GRCA is dedicated to providing accurate economic information that supports strategic decision-making throughout the region. This report highlights our ongoing collaboration with EDC Lancaster Center for Regional Analysis to deliver data-driven insights that are valuable for the businesses of Berks County.
By delivering timely and actionable economic data, GRCA helps businesses navigate challenges and seize opportunities that drive growth in our region. Download the full report to explore the latest economic trends and what they mean for Berks County’s future.
