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CITY · 2020 ACS

Reading

Kansas · 181 residents · 0.213 sq mi
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The short version

Reading has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,250. Population has fallen 27% since 2000, a loss of 66 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $56,300. The poverty rate of 20.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 124%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
181
−27%since 2000
from 247 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
850 / sq mi
−27%since 2000
from 1,160 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+33%since 2000
from 31.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1342032733424111990201020202024Reading
2024198
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,250
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,000 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,862
+87%since 2000
from $11,673 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.1%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade19.5%
US avg: 10%
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade10.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$56,300
+124%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
81.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
18.8% rent
Afford Score
1.2
+82%since 2000
from 0.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Reading on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(241)
Black0.4%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score5%(12)
2020
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(173)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.6%(7)
Diversity Score11.4%(21)
Diversity Score
11
+127%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.3%
−5.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
−1%since 2000
from 22.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 86.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.2%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.7%
−11.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
9.1%
−48.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Female
50.3%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.3%
−65.1 ptssince 2013
from 78.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Reading

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Pop 177
Tildenville
Pop 183
Little Creek
Pop 199
Lloyd
Pop 187
Places similar to Reading
Head to head

Compare Reading to nearby cities

READING VS
Emporia
Income$52,704+14%
Home value$132,700+136%
Population24,137+13090%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Ottawa
Income$71,699+55%
Home value$166,500+196%
Population12,716+6849%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Topeka
Income$56,956+23%
Home value$144,200+156%
Population125,795+68640%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Lawrence
Income$65,009+41%
Home value$292,700+420%
Population96,367+52560%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Reading, Kansas?

Reading, Kansas has about 181 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Reading, Kansas?

The typical household in Reading, Kansas earns about $46,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Reading, Kansas expensive?

In Reading, Kansas, the median home is worth about $56,300.

How educated are people in Reading, Kansas?

About 11.3% of adults age 25 and over in Reading, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Reading, Kansas?

About 20.8% of people in Reading, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Reading, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Reading, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 71 residents, a change of about -28 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →