Reading, KS

Kansas · Metropolitan Area

Reading is a small town in Kansas with a population of 195. Residents earn $65,938 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
195 Population 929/sq mi density
$65,938 Median Income $31,870 per capita
$47,700 Home Value $274,701 Zillow
$675 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$65,938 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$47,700 home value, $675/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,938
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $47,700
83% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $675
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.8%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Reading Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population195
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density929/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,938
Per Capita$31,870
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$417M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$47,700
Rent$675
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$274,701

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain38.9 in/yr
Elevation1,092 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+96.2%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute28 min
Broadband75.0%
Libraries5

Is Reading a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Reading receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Reading offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Reading is $65,938, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Reading is $47,700, 83% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $675 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Reading experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.9 inches, including 10.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Reading has a population of 195 with a density of 929 people per square mile. The median age is 35.9 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.2%), with 5.1% Hispanic.

Population

195
Total Population
929
People / sq mi
35.9yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Reading vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Reading vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Reading is $65,938, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Reading vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,938
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,870
Avg Weekly Wage$746
IRS Avg AGI$62,496

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)370
County GDP$417M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare27
Retail43
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,914
12% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.0 min
Work from Home2.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Reading is $47,700, 83% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $675 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $274,701.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$47,700
83% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$274,701

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$675
42% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,914
12% above US avg
Effective Rate8.21%
In Reading, 36.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Reading vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.8%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress18.0%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death10,634/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access42.8%
Healthcare Facilities27

Crime Rates: Reading vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Reading has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average54.3°F
1% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.9 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall10.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,092 ft (333 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density929/sq mi
Coordinates38.5191°N, 95.9574°W
County FIPS20139
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48-point margin. 75.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.7%
D 24.7%

Winner: Republican by 48 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+96.2%
School Test Score5.80
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density929/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants27
Retail Stores43

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.0 min
Work from Home2.0%

Nearby Cities

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