Bern, Pennsylvania is a rural neighborhood located just over 7 miles from downtown Reading. Matt Wolf is a real estate agent with RE/MAX of Reading who has sold houses in the area since 2002. “It’s pristine rolling hills of farmland. It’s quiet and untouched, the area has been heavily influenced by the Pennsylvania Dutch history and before that by the Native Americans. One day I even found an arrowhead in my yard.” Bern is part of Berks County, which holds a population of almost half a million. The neighborhood itself is sparsely populated, and the few homes that exist in Bern are built on large properties. Leinbachs is a small town center located in the neighborhood that provides residents access to commercial amenities.
Bern
Neighborhood in Ontelaunee, Pennsylvania
Berks County 19506, 19533, 19605
Country estates
Winding country roads cut across rolling hills of farmland in Bern. Long, private driveways connect spacious properties to public streets. The expansive rural nature of the neighborhood means that residents won’t get very far walking, especially considering that most roads lack any sidewalks. Bern is more heavily forested than nearby neighborhoods. The mature foliage and hilly Appalachian terrain give properties a private, closed-in feel. The housing market is limited, with only two listings currently for sale. Colonial and Log Cabin-style houses are common, with prices ranging anywhere from $200,000 to over $1 million for a newly built house with over four bedrooms. A recently sold two-story, four-bedroom Colonial-style house closed for $365,000.
Schools that teach students how to pronounce Schuylkill
The notorious Schuylkill River runs along the eastern border of the neighborhood. The topic of how to pronounce Schuylkill has been a contentious topic of debate for decades, with many locals choosing to phrase the river as ‘Skoo-kel.’ In any case, Bern gives residents access to the Schuylkill Valley Public School system. Schuylkill Valley Elementary, Middle and High School each earn a B rating on Niche. Schuykill Valley High School offers Advanced Placement classes for its students and specializes in a career-oriented education.
Miles of scenic hiking
Jim Dietrich Park is a well-maintained public park located along the Schuylkill River. The park features a baseball stadium and two additional baseball diamonds. Residents enjoy playing basketball on one of the four courts at Jim Dietrich Park, which are the only public basketball courts in the neighborhood. Tulpehocken Creek Valley Park is located within Bern and gives residents access to miles of hiking trails along the Tulpehocken creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill. Blue Marsh Lake runs along the neighborhood’s southern border and is a major recreational site in Berk’s County. The artificial lake and nearby PA State Game Lands Number 280 are maintained by the Army’s Corps of Engineers. The game lands are known for being a popular pheasant-hunting area. With 1,147 acres of water, Blue Marsh Lake is the preferred location among locals for fishing, swimming and boating. There are 36 miles of hiking trails surrounding the lake. Every Fourth of July, residents make use of the ample grassland to host lakeside picnics and barbeques.
Shopping and amenities
Willow Hollow Golf Course is a public-use course that offers residents picturesque views of the Schuylkill valley. Leinbachs is a small town center located on Route 183 that features essential amenities like a pharmacy and a gas station. The extensive farmland of the region allows local restaurants to serve farm to table cuisine.
Employment and developments in Reading
Downtown reading is available via a 15-minute drive that can easily exceed 20 minutes during rush-hour traffic. The Reading Regional Airport is located in the southeast corner of the neighborhood and is also home to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum. Reading Hospital was founded in 1867 and is one of the area’s largest employers. Alvernia University is a private Catholic college that teaches over 3,000 students in downtown Reading.
Written By
Connor Bryan
Photography Contributed By
Conner Baker
Video By
Luke Mancari
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Richard Sachetta
Richard Sachetta
Bold Realty
(484) 878-5932
76 Total Sales
1 in Bern
$129,500 Price
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Bonnie Pappas
Bonnie Pappas
Realty One Group Restore - Collegeville
(610) 609-7311
154 Total Sales
1 in Bern
$365,000 Price
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Anne Lusk
Anne Lusk
Responds QuicklyLusk & Associates Sotheby's International Realty
(717) 935-8473
644 Total Sales
3 in Bern
$175K - $1.4M Price Range
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Marc Gabaldon
Marc Gabaldon
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Platinum Realty - Wyomissing
(484) 642-1658
19 Total Sales
1 in Bern
$196,500 Price
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Scott Jaraczewski
Scott Jaraczewski
Responds QuicklyIron Valley Real Estate of Berks
(484) 755-3522
216 Total Sales
1 in Bern
$315,000 Price
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Krista Templin
Krista Templin
Responds QuicklyEXP Realty, LLC
(484) 755-3864
42 Total Sales
1 in Bern
$505,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- K to 4th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Blue Marsh Lake Park
Leesport Playground
Rachel Trois Memorial Park
Tulpehocken Creek Valley Park
Bern Township Municipal Park
The Red Bridge
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Bern | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bern, Ontelaunee sell after 12 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Bern, Ontelaunee over the last 12 months is $414,951, down 18% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$380,000
Median Single Family Price
$407,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$188
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
46
Months of Supply
2.10
Median List Price
$411,888
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,310
Median Year Built
1979
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,139
Above the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
60,112
Open Houses
-
Saturday, May 311am - 1pm
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Sunday, May 41 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,150
Median Age
45
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$121,381
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$131,237
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.2%
College Graduates
29.5%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.4%
% Population in Labor Force
45.3%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Fox Chase
A quiet neighborhood with all the creature comforts
Riverview Park
Mid-20th century homes along the Schuylkill River, just north of Reading
Glenside
A quiet retreat with accessibility to highways and amenities
Leesport
A rural borough with ample opportunities for community engagement
Spring Ridge
1990s and 2000s homes, good schools on the outskirts of Reading
Outer Wyomissing
Easy suburban living with quick access to shopping and parks outside Reading
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