At a Glance
Median Income
$65,938
$31,870 per capita
Home Value
$47,700
Zillow: $294,738
Median Rent
$675/mo
21.9% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
13.6%
96.2% high school+
Unemployment
2.8%
0.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.8%
15.1% smoking rate
How Reading Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Reading's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Reading a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.8 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Reading residents earn a median household income of $65,938 , which is 12% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $31,870. The unemployment rate stands at 2.8% (22% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 370 business establishments, including 27 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Reading is $47,700 , 83% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $294,738. Median rent is $675/month, with 21.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 90.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1955.
Education
13.6% of adults in Reading hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(60% below the national average).
96.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 36.1 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population195
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density929/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Foreign Born0.0%
Veterans17.7%
Economy
A
Median Income$65,938
Per Capita$31,870
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$417M
Avg Weekly Wage$746
Housing
A+
Home Value$47,700
Rent$675
Ownership80.7%
Zillow$294,738
Housing Units79
Rent Burden21.9%
Health
Obesity36.8%
Diabetes8.9%
Smoking15.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
Premature Death10,634/100K
Climate
Avg Temp54°F
Rain36.1 in/yr
Elevation1,092 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+96.2%
Graduate+4.5%
School Score6.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute28 min
Broadband83.1%
Internet Speed41 Mbps
EV Stations6
Libraries5
Did You Know?
Reading was founded in 1870.
The median home in Reading was built in 1955.
The nearest airport is Topeka Regional (34 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.384 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
16.9% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 6 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.