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Shillington

Shillington

Located in Berks County

$266,900 Average Value
$137 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A small, community-oriented suburb of Reading

From humble beginnings as an inn outside of Reading to the thriving borough it is today, the past hundred-plus years since Shillington’s founding in 1908 have seen it transform from a pit stop into a veritable town of its own. Home to about 5,500 residents, this Reading suburb is just small enough to provide a sense of community within commuting distance of multiple central-eastern Pennsylvania cities. “Shillington is a fairly small town. It’s mostly residential, but it’s also close to the more commercial areas near the highways,” says Krista Templin, a Realtor with eXp Realty who sells homes across Berks County. “It’s the kind of place where most parents would probably feel comfortable letting their kid go out and walk to a friend’s house.” Renowned novelist John Updike, a Shillington native, even wrote about a fictionalized version of the borough as a true all-American suburb.

The leading industries in Berks County are manufacturing and healthcare, with the region’s second-largest employer, Reading Hospital, situated 2 miles north of Shillington. Tower Health, also based nearby in West Reading, operates multiple urgent care centers and two medical schools in the nearby area. Other surrounding cities, such as Philadelphia, Allentown and Harrisburg, draw commuters from Shillington.

Many of Shillington's amenities lie along Lancaster Avenue.
Many of Shillington's amenities lie along Lancaster Avenue.
Shillington Town Hall was dedicated in 1932
Shillington Town Hall was dedicated in 1932
Shillington is a neighborhood comprised of row homes, traditional single family homes and small, local businesses.
Shillington is a neighborhood comprised of row homes, traditional single family homes and small, local businesses.
West Reading is home to the Reading Hospital, one of the area's largest employers.
West Reading is home to the Reading Hospital, one of the area's largest employers.
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Early 20th century townhouses and detached homes

Shillington has a true blend of semi-detached homes and single-family homes, most of which are situated on small lots. Some ranch-style homes with larger yards can be found on the outskirts of the borough, but Italianate townhouses and American Foursquares from the early 20th century are more common. According to Templin, a large cluster of Tudor-inspired homes around Lynoak Avenue are especially desirable for their architecture. The median home price in Shillington is $230,000, lower than the state median of $312,000. Although there tend to be a handful of homes on the market at any given time, properties sell within an average of 14 days, faster than the national average of 44 days.

Unique Tudor Revival homes can be found in Shillington near West Reading.
Unique Tudor Revival homes can be found in Shillington near West Reading.
Brick single family homes are commonly found in Shillington
Brick single family homes are commonly found in Shillington
Ranch houses offer more modest options for those needing less space in Shillington.
Ranch houses offer more modest options for those needing less space in Shillington.
American Foursquare homes overlook Shillington from atop the hilly neighborhood.
American Foursquare homes overlook Shillington from atop the hilly neighborhood.
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Local businesses and parades down Lancaster Avenue

Shillington has a modest retail and restaurant scene, with shopping centers farther along Lancaster Avenue outside of the borough. “A lot of your supermarkets like Giant and Weis Markets are down the road, but some of the homes on Lancaster Avenue have also been converted into commercial space,” Templin says. “There are a couple of restaurants, but mostly it’s barber shops, pharmacies, banks, insurance offices — those types of everyday services.” A handful of municipal buildings, such as Shillington Town Hall and Mifflin Community Library, are also along Lancaster Avenue. For a night out, many residents head 2 miles north to West Reading, where Penn Avenue is a shopping and dining destination.

The Greater Governor Mifflin League Community Days have been held in Shillington for nearly 50 years. For a full week leading up to the Fourth of July, the town comes out to the campus of Governor Mifflin Intermediate School to experience carnival rides, live entertainment and local vendors, culminating in a firework show. On Memorial Day, the community celebrates with a parade from Shillington Park to Shillington Town Hall.

West Reading Fall Fest brings out families and friends to gather together on Penn Avenue.
West Reading Fall Fest brings out families and friends to gather together on Penn Avenue.
West Reading's Penn Ave is usually filled with residents walking to one of the many shops.
West Reading's Penn Ave is usually filled with residents walking to one of the many shops.
Lancaster Ave Barber Shop in Shillington
Lancaster Ave Barber Shop in Shillington
West Reading Fall Fest features local bands and spectators enjoy the atmosphere they create.
West Reading Fall Fest features local bands and spectators enjoy the atmosphere they create.
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Summer concerts at Shillington Park

Shillington Park is the borough’s community green, equipped with a playground, tennis courts and a baseball field. Some residents pay for memberships at the park’s public swimming pool, a popular place to socialize and cool off in the summer. In June and August, concerts are held on the park’s lawn. To the west, trails follow Wyomissing Creek for miles through the scenic Wyomissing Park System, which ends at the arboretum surrounding Reading Public Museum.

Enjoy a walk along the Wyomissing Creek on a sunny day in West Reading.
Enjoy a walk along the Wyomissing Creek on a sunny day in West Reading.
Wyomissing Creek passing through Shillington provides natural beauty for the area.
Wyomissing Creek passing through Shillington provides natural beauty for the area.
Join friends to work on your game at the pickleball courts in West Reading Park.
Join friends to work on your game at the pickleball courts in West Reading Park.
Friends gather to relax in the calming atmosphere of Shillington Park.
Friends gather to relax in the calming atmosphere of Shillington Park.
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Moderately well-rated Governor Mifflin Schools

Shillington is within the Governor Mifflin School District, which serves roughly 4,100 students and scores an overall B grade from Niche. The district operates six schools, two of which are located in Shillington: Governor Mifflin Intermediate and Governor Mifflin High. “Their football team is good, so lots of people come out to watch the game on Friday nights,” Templin says. “They put a lot of money into expanding their athletic center recently.” Two of the district’s elementary schools and its sole middle school are directly outside of the borough.

Governor Mifflin High School serves 1,400 students in Shillington
Governor Mifflin High School serves 1,400 students in Shillington
Welcome to Governor Mifflin Middle School in Shillington PA.
Welcome to Governor Mifflin Middle School in Shillington PA.
Overview of the sports field at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington PA.
Overview of the sports field at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington PA.
Mifflin Park Elementary School has 471 students in grades K-4.
Mifflin Park Elementary School has 471 students in grades K-4.
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Five miles from Reading and close to major U.S. highways

Parts of Shillington are walkable, but most residents need a car for their commutes. Downtown Reading is less than 5 miles northeast, and Reading Hospital is even closer in West Reading. Numerous Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority bus stops line Lancaster Avenue, a well-traveled thoroughfare that passes through the borough. This major road connects to U.S. Route 222 to the west and U.S. Route 422 to the east. Philadelphia and Harrisburg are both roughly 60 miles away, and the nearest international airport is 45 miles northeast at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown.

A decrease in crime and rare potential for flooding

Per the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, Shillington Police reported 12 counts of violent crime and 38 counts of property crime in 2023. In the five years since 2018, violent crime decreased by 25% and property crime fell by 47%.

Shillington experiences warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Annual precipitation averages around 45 inches, with a risk of flooding around Wyomissing Creek. However, relatively few homes are situated along the creek; a 2018 Berks County Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Plan found 18 structures in the borough vulnerable to flooding.

Elliot Schorr
Written By
Elliot Schorr
Jay Ratchford
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Alex Jacobsen
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Alex Jacobsen

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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

Shillington Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$267,000
Median Sale Price
$229,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$305,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$229,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
43%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$137

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
201
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1930
Months of Supply
0.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,618
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,767
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,552
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
980
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Aug 3
    1 - 3pm

    219 Pershing Blvd, Reading, PA 19607

    $427,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,600 Sq Ft
    • 219 Pershing Blvd
    • New 1 day ago

    Beautifully renovated single home in the Governor Mifflin School District, coupled with a four-car garage and a huge workshop.....This home offers something for everyone!! New natural gas heat and hot water, central air, new windows, new main house roof....garage roof is 10 years old......fresh neutral paint and windows throughout. The neutral paint, flooring and carpeting are all brand new!

    Donna Godfrey Godfrey Properties

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  • Wednesday, Jul 30
    5 - 7pm

    512 Mifflin Blvd, Reading, PA 19607

    $442,500

    • 5 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,297 Sq Ft
    • 512 Mifflin Blvd

    Welcome to 512 Mifflin Blvd, Reading, PA 19607!Don’t miss your chance to own this beautiful, move-in-ready home that’s been fully updated from top to bottom! Upgrades Include: Brand NEW Roof NEW Furnace & Central Air NEW Water Heater & Electrical Service Line Stunning NEW Kitchen with Granite Counters, Cabinets, Sink, Appliances & Tile Floor NEW Hardwood Flooring

    Rick Alleyne United Real Estate Strive 212

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Shillington Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
5,226
Median Age
40
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$64,717
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,367

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.9%
College Graduates
21.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.9%
% Population in Labor Force
74.9%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
3''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

44 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

61 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Shillington
John Franey
Tom Franey Real Estate & Appraisals, Inc
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