Reading city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Reading city, Michigan has a total population of 1,241, the 396th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $48,804, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Reading city Quick Facts
How Reading city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Reading city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Hillsdale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale city | 8,013 | $47,817 | 21.2% | $131,300 |
| Jonesville city | 2,257 | $55,865 | 21.1% | $145,500 |
| Litchfield city | 1,391 | $47,500 | 12.9% | $110,400 |
Cities Similar to Reading city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockbridge village | 1,235 | $49,875 | $184,200 | 30.1% | 10.6% |
| Weidman CDP | 1,217 | $49,545 | $104,200 | 11.4% | 47.5% |
| Sand Lake CDP | 1,214 | $49,615 | $139,300 | 15.9% | 17.5% |
| Ontonagon village | 1,266 | $46,806 | $92,100 | 15.2% | 11.8% |
| Edwardsburg village | 1,244 | $53,661 | $115,400 | 15.9% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Reading city is a small community located in Michigan, within Hillsdale County. The total population is 1,241. It ranks as the 396th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reading city is 31.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 36.0% of the population under 18, Reading city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Reading city is $48,804. This is 31% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 43.2%. This is 231% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $103,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Reading city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Reading city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reading city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Reading city, Michigan?
Reading city, Michigan has a population of 1,241 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reading city, MI?
The median household income in Reading city is $48,804, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Reading city, MI?
The poverty rate in Reading city is 43.2%. This means approximately 534 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reading city, Michigan?
Reading city's population is 97.5% White, 0.2% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reading city, MI?
The median home value in Reading city is $103,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Reading city, Michigan?
10.6% of adults (25+) in Reading city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.