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CITY

Reading

Michigan · 1,084 residents (2025 est.) · 1.012 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 $49,342. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 187 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $107,800. The poverty rate of 24.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
947
−16%since 2000
from 1,134 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
936 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 1,121 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.8
+48%since 2000
from 29.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,084 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9051K1K1K1K1990201020202024Reading
2024947
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,342
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,448
+66%since 2000
from $15,300 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.6%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.372
−12%since 2010
from 0.423 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade30.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$107,800
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$835
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $446 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.3%
−15.6 ptssince 2000
from 74.0% in 2000
41.7% rent
Vacancy rate
6.5%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.9%
−20.2 ptssince 2009
from 33.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
30.3%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+29%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Reading on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(1,104)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(15)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(42)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(914)
Black0.4%(4)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(3)
Asian1.1%(10)
Other1.7%(16)
Diversity Score8.5%(81)
Diversity Score
9
+127%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.2%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+86%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.9%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 88.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−13.2 ptssince 2011
from 19.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.7%
+4.5 ptssince 2011
from 56.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.9%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
Female
48.7%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.6%
−32.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2012
from 13.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.6%
−79.6 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.6%
+17.3 ptssince 2017
from 73.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Reading to nearby cities

READING VS
Hillsdale
Income$51,038+3%
Home value$130,900+21%
Population8,002+638%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Coldwater
Income$50,781+3%
Home value$137,500+28%
Population14,216+1211%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Angola
Income$64,540+31%
Home value$205,400+91%
Population9,366+764%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
READING VS
Bryan
Income$52,865+7%
Home value$144,400+34%
Population8,579+691%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Reading, Michigan?

Reading, Michigan has about 947 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Reading, Michigan?

The typical household in Reading, Michigan earns about $49,342 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Reading, Michigan expensive?

In Reading, Michigan, the median home is worth about $107,800, and the typical rent is about $835 a month.

How educated are people in Reading, Michigan?

About 12.0% of adults age 25 and over in Reading, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Reading, Michigan?

About 24.6% of people in Reading, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Reading, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Reading, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 180 residents, a change of about -16 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 →