Reading, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Reading, Ohio had a total population of 10,502, the 181st largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $61,866, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Reading Quick Facts
How Reading Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,490 | 10,502 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $60,167 | $61,866 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $184,200 | $211,300 | +14.7% |
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
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Reading Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Hamilton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 311,224 | $52,909 | 25.5% | $230,900 |
| Fairfield | 44,828 | $77,937 | 8.4% | $234,500 |
| Forest Park | 20,025 | $75,956 | 10.6% | $190,400 |
| White Oak | 19,216 | $70,341 | 8.2% | $203,700 |
| Norwood | 19,114 | $71,611 | 17.5% | $258,700 |
| Sharonville | 14,030 | $74,649 | 9.1% | $223,800 |
| Bridgetown | 13,464 | $80,564 | 5.7% | $183,600 |
| Blue Ash | 13,455 | $115,313 | 4.0% | $403,200 |
| Loveland | 13,197 | $94,323 | 7.8% | $321,300 |
| Harrison | 13,084 | $100,000 | 6.9% | $229,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 10,484 | $60,231 | $201,000 | 22.3% | 10.8% |
| Richmond Heights | 10,626 | $60,833 | $208,800 | 29.9% | 9.9% |
| Celina | 10,903 | $62,849 | $164,100 | 21.2% | 11.4% |
| Northbrook | 10,742 | $67,426 | $157,400 | 21.1% | 10.7% |
| Vermilion | 10,343 | $69,701 | $183,600 | 32.3% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Reading is a small city located in Ohio, within Hamilton County. The total population is 10,502. It ranks as the 181st most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reading is 45.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Reading is $61,866. This is 13% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $211,300. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Reading is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.3%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reading, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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, Ohio?
Reading, Ohio has a population of 10,502 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reading, OH?
The median household income in Reading is $61,866, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Reading, OH?
The poverty rate in Reading is 12.0%. This means approximately 1,251 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reading, Ohio?
Reading's population is 77.2% White, 9.3% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reading, OH?
The median home value in Reading is $211,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Reading, Ohio?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Reading hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.