Berks County, Pennsylvania: Declining Industrial Metro
Pennsylvania · Presidential Elections 1892–2024
R+12.1
2024 Margin
R+4.0%
2020→2024 Swing
R since 2012
Voting Streak
🏭 Rust Belt
Classification
429K
Population
Berks County, Pennsylvania voted R+12.1 for Donald Trump in 2024, with Trump receiving 116,677 votes (55.45%). This represented a R+4.0% swing toward Republicans compared to 2020. The county has voted Republican in every presidential election since 2012.
Electoral Behavior
🏭
Declining Industrial MetroView all
Rust Belt urban centers that voted for Obama but have shifted dramatically toward Republicans. Former manufacturing hubs experiencing economic decline and Democratic erosion.
Volatility
5.1
Elasticity
Responsive
Trend
Stable
Quick Stats
2024 ResultR+12.1
2020→2024 SwingR+4.0%
Voting StreakR since 2012
Elections on Record34
Demographics
Population428,849
Median Age
39.9(US: 38.4)
College (BA+)
37.0%(US: 47.9%)
Median Income
$74,617(US: $78k)
White (non-Hisp)
67.8%(US: 57.5%)
Hispanic
24.0%(US: 18.6%)
Black
5.1%(US: 12.3%)
Asian
1.4%(US: 5.7%)
Homeownership
71.0%(US: 64.2%)
Poverty Rate
11.7%(US: 12.4%)
Veterans
5.8%(US: 6.4%)
Presidential Elections
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Margin | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43.3%(91,125) | 55.5%(116,677) | R+12.1 | -4.0 |
| 2020 | 45.2%(92,895) | 53.4%(109,736) | R+8.2 | +1.7 |
| 2016 | 42.6%(78,437) | 52.5%(96,626) | R+9.9 | -8.9 |
| 2012 | 48.6%(83,011) | 49.6%(84,702) | R+1.0 | -10.2 |
| 2008 | 53.9%(97,047) | 44.7%(80,513) | D+9.2 | +15.8 |
| 2004 | 46.4%(76,309) | 53.0%(87,122) | R+6.6 | +2.4 |
| 2000 | 43.7%(59,150) | 52.7%(71,273) | R+9.0 | -3.7 |
| 1996 | 41.0%(49,887) | 46.3%(56,289) | R+5.3 | 0.0 |
| 1992 | 35.0%(46,031) | 40.3%(52,939) | R+5.3 | +20.6 |
| 1988 | 36.5%(41,040) | 62.4%(70,153) | R+25.9 | +6.6 |
Senate Elections
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Margin | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43.7%(89,063) | 53.1%(108,058) | R+9.3 | -5.0 |
| 2022 | 46.1%(71,349) | 50.4%(78,019) | R+4.3 | -8.1 |
| 2018 | 51.0%(73,714) | 47.2%(68,159) | D+3.8 | +14.1 |
| 2016 | 42.9%(77,028) | 53.2%(95,466) | R+10.3 | -13.7 |
| 2012 | 50.9%(84,403) | 47.4%(78,679) | D+3.5 | +14.6 |
| 2010 | 44.4%(49,971) | 55.6%(62,534) | R+11.2 | -20.7 |
| 2006 | 54.8%(63,915) | 45.2%(52,806) | D+9.5 | +28.4 |
| 2004 | 37.9%(60,355) | 56.8%(90,319) | R+18.8 | +3.6 |
| 2000 | 37.5%(48,998) | 59.9%(78,297) | R+22.4 | +16.3 |
| 1998 | 28.3%(22,282) | 67.0%(52,787) | R+38.7 | -18.3 |
Governor Elections
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Margin | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 50.9%(78,757) | 46.6%(72,185) | D+4.2 | -3.0 |
| 2018 | 52.7%(76,136) | 45.5%(65,756) | D+7.2 | +5.4 |
| 2014 | 50.9%(51,840) | 49.1%(50,005) | D+1.8 | +20.5 |
| 2010 | 40.7%(45,746) | 59.3%(66,758) | R+18.7 | -33.0 |
| 2006 | 57.2%(66,837) | 42.8%(50,096) | D+14.3 | +1.8 |
| 2002 | 55.2%(56,592) | 42.7%(43,790) | D+12.5 | +48.2 |
| 1998 | 26.8%(21,336) | 62.5%(49,716) | R+35.7 | -16.1 |
| 1994 | 33.3%(30,740) | 52.9%(48,857) | R+19.6 | -43.2 |
| 1990 | 61.8%(47,887) | 38.2%(29,600) | D+23.6 | +33.1 |
| 1986 | 44.6%(36,147) | 54.1%(43,849) | R+9.5 | +2.2 |
Primary Election History
| Year | Party | Winner | Runner-up | Nominee? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dem | Joe Biden(75.5%) | Bernie Sanders(19.1%) | ✓ |
| 2016 | Dem | Bernie Sanders(50.7%) | Hillary Clinton(48.4%) | ✗ |
| 2016 | GOP | Donald Trump(60.3%) | Ted Cruz(21.7%) | ✓ |
| 2008 | Dem | Hillary Clinton(57.9%) | Barack Obama(41.9%) | ✗ |
✓ = County picked eventual party nominee