Reading, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Reading, Michigan had a total population of 947, the 449th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $49,342, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Reading Quick Facts
How Reading Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 998 | 947 | No clear change (-5.1%) |
| Median household income | $58,731 | $49,342 | No clear change (-16.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $93,534 | $107,800 | No clear change (+15.3%) |
| Median gross rent | $961 | $835 | No clear change (-13.1%) |
How Reading Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 96.5%
- Black: 0.4%
- Hispanic: 0.3%
- Asian: 1.1%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 8.8%
- HS Diploma: 38.9%
- Some College: 27.8%
- Associate's: 12.4%
- Bachelor's: 7.0%
- Graduate+: 4.9%
Reading Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Hillsdale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale | 8,002 | $51,038 | 22.9% | $130,900 |
| Jonesville | 2,319 | $65,200 | 17.8% | $162,900 |
| Lake LeAnn | 1,657 | $89,076 | 4.3% | $266,600 |
| Litchfield | 1,566 | $53,182 | 11.4% | $117,000 |
| Pittsford | 707 | $45,833 | 24.5% | $105,700 |
| Camden | 608 | $51,250 | 28.6% | $103,100 |
| Waldron | 603 | $52,750 | 8.8% | $83,700 |
| North Adams | 435 | $52,813 | 12.2% | $99,500 |
| Montgomery | 301 | $51,250 | 38.5% | $95,000 |
| Allen | 170 | $66,111 | 10.0% | $131,300 |
Cities Similar to Reading
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassell | 899 | $54,148 | $167,600 | 42.8% | 17.0% |
| Stephenson | 902 | $44,600 | $101,800 | 16.3% | 15.5% |
| Farwell | 974 | $42,188 | $98,700 | 11.4% | 25.9% |
| Hubbell | 881 | $53,333 | $85,400 | 19.4% | 4.4% |
| Springport | 871 | $46,417 | $99,200 | 7.3% | 25.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 947, Reading's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Reading is a small community located in Michigan, within Hillsdale County. The total population is 947. It ranks as the 449th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reading is 43.8 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Reading is $49,342. This is 32% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 6.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $107,800. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Reading is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Reading has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reading, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Reading, Michigan?
Reading, Michigan has a population of 947 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reading, MI?
The median household income in Reading is $49,342, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Reading, MI?
The poverty rate in Reading is 24.6%. This means approximately 232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reading, Michigan?
Reading's population is 96.5% White, 0.4% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reading, MI?
The median home value in Reading is $107,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Reading, Michigan?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Reading hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.