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Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
Wyomissing is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,114. It is the most populous borough in Berks County and is a principal suburb of Reading.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Berks County |
| Incorporated | July 2, 1906 |
| Total Area | 4.50 sq mi (11.65 km²) |
| Land Area | 4.48 sq mi (11.60 km²) |
| Water Area | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km²) |
| Elevation | 330 ft (100 m) |
| Population (2020) | 11,114 |
| ZIP Code | 19610 |
| Area Code | 610, 484 |
The area that is now Wyomissing was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. The name "Wyomissing" is derived from a Delaware language word meaning "place of flats."
- Colonial Era: European settlement began in the early 18th century when William Penn granted land tracts in the region. Agriculture was the dominant early activity.
- Industrial Growth: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industrialists Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen established the Berkshire Knitting Mills and the Textile Machine Works, creating the Wyomissing Industries conglomerate. The borough was developed partially as a planned model industrial community with high-quality housing for workers and executives.
- Incorporation: Wyomissing was officially incorporated as a borough on July 2, 1906.
- Merger with Wyomissing Hills: In January 2002, the neighboring borough of Wyomissing Hills merged into Wyomissing following a voter referendum.
Wyomissing is located in south-central Berks County and borders the city of Reading to the east.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough covers a total area of 4.50 square miles (11.65 km²), of which 4.48 square miles is land and 0.02 square miles is water. The borough is drained by the Schuylkill River and its tributary, Wyomissing Creek, which runs through several park systems in the community.
- U.S. Route 222 (Warren Street Bypass / Outer Bypass)
- U.S. Route 422 (Penn Avenue / West Shore Bypass)
- Pennsylvania Route 12 (Warren Street Bypass)
Historical population trends from U.S. decennial censuses:
| Census Year | Population | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 985 | First census after incorporation |
| 1940 | 4,111 | Mid-century industrial expansion |
| 1970 | 7,136 | Post-war suburban growth |
| 2000 | 8,587 | Prior to merger |
| 2010 | 10,461 | Post-merger with Wyomissing Hills |
| 2020 | 11,114 | Most populous borough in Berks County |
As of the 2020 census, Wyomissing had a median household income significantly higher than the county average. The racial makeup of the borough was predominantly White, with growing Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and African American populations.
Historically driven by textile manufacturing, Wyomissing transitioned into a commercial and financial hub for the Reading metropolitan area during the late 20th century.
- Broadcasting & Gaming: Penn Entertainment (formerly Penn National Gaming) is headquartered in Wyomissing.
- Retail & Commercial: Wyomissing contains significant retail corridors along Penn Avenue and State Hill Road, including the Berkshire Mall complex area and the Broadcasting Square shopping center.
- Redevelopment: The former Berkshire Knitting Mills and VF Outlet complex was repurposed into modern office, research, and educational spaces known as the Vanity Fair / Knitting Mills campus, housing operations for organizations such as Tower Health and Teleflex.
Wyomissing is served by the Wyomissing Area School District, which operates:
- Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center (K–4)
- West Reading Elementary Center (5–6, located in neighboring West Reading)
- Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School (7–12)
Penn State Berks, a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University, is located immediately adjacent to the borough's northern boundary in Spring Township.
- Taylor Swift – Singer-songwriter; grew up on an 11-acre Christmas tree farm in nearby Cumru Township and lived in Wyomissing during her youth, attending Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School before moving to Nashville.
- Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen – Industrialists and co-founders of Wyomissing Industries.
- Kelly Preston – Actress; attended Wyomissing Area High School briefly during her youth.
- Douglas Brinkley – Author, presidential historian, and professor; raised in Wyomissing.
- Chad Hurley – Co-founder and former CEO of YouTube; graduated from Twin Valley High School and maintains local ties to the area.
- Berks County, Pennsylvania
- Reading, Pennsylvania
- Reading metropolitan area