Town · Massachusetts
North Reading, Massachusetts
North Reading, town, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. North Reading had 16,553 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 15,554 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 15,765 (±39). GEOID 2501748955.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,553
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,554 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,765 ±39
Median household income
$147,768
±$24,518 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$710,500
±$24,272 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$2,259
±$356 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is North Reading and what county is it in?
North Reading is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It covers 13.2 square miles of land, 1,182 residents per square mile in 2020.
North Reading is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in North Reading, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 16,553 people lived in North Reading on July 1, 2025, up 6.5% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 15,554 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 15,765 (±39).
| Measure | North Reading | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,765±39 | 1,638,365 | +184 |
| Households | 5,825±252 | 634,215 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.68±0.12 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,933±236 | 664,267 | no clear change |
North Reading's population since 2000
From 13,837 in 2000 to 16,553 in 2025: up 19.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for North Reading as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in North Reading?
The median resident of North Reading is 43.0 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.4%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 5.0%. 6.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | North Reading | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0±2.8 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.3%±2.0 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7%±1.9 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 49.9%±2.2 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.4%±3.5 pts | 65.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.0%±1.8 pts | 13.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±1.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±2.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.7%±1.7 pts | 23.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.2%±2.3 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±1.9 pts | 3.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±2.9 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.5%±0.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 56.4%±4.2 pts | 59.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 22.3%±3.2 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.2%±2.3 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±1.1 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in North Reading earn?
Half of North Reading's 5,825 households earn less than $147,768 a year (±$24,518), against $130,847 in Middlesex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $158,330 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | North Reading | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $147,768±$24,518 | $130,847 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $206,577±$28,180 | $178,070 | – |
| Per capita income | $77,099±$9,911 | $69,556 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 2.7%±1.4 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.2%±0.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.0%±4.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.2%±0.7 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.9%±1.9 pts | 94.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in North Reading?
Owners occupy 84.3% of North Reading's occupied homes and renters 15.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $710,500 by its owner (±$24,272). The median renter pays $2,259 a month including utilities, and 71.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | North Reading | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $710,500±$24,272 | $727,800 | +$49,987 |
| Median gross rent | $2,259±$356 | $2,201 | +$456 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 71.9%±11.4 pts | 37.6% | +46.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,324±$175 | $3,224 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.3%±4.1 pts | 61.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 15.7%±4.1 pts | 38.7% | – |
| Housing units | 5,933±236 | 664,267 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±4.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.7%±4.7 pts | 46.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±1.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.7%±2.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.4%±2.5 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.4%±3.1 pts | 10.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is North Reading building?
Builders took permits for 14 new housing units in North Reading in 2025 (14 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in North Reading work and get to work?
65.2% of North Reading's workers drive alone and 26.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | North Reading | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.3%±3.0 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±1.6 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.2%±4.5 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.5%±1.4 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.1%±4.3 pts | 24.7% | +20.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.6 min±2.9 | 29.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in North Reading?
4 census tracts lie mostly in North Reading (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $93,385 (Tract 3302.02) to $207,750 (Tract 3301.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3301.02Middlesex County | 5,286 | $156,875 |
| Tract 3302.02Middlesex County | 3,847 | $93,385 |
| Tract 3301.01Middlesex County | 3,546 | $207,750 |
| Tract 3302.01Middlesex County | 3,086 | $141,118 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in North Reading) · Census block assignment files
How does North Reading compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, North Reading is the 750th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 51st-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
North Reading ranks 87th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 51st | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 17th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 157th | 461 |
| Median household income | 87th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 79th | 460 |
| Median home value | 108th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 45th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 319th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 141st | 459 |
| Median age | 286th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 161st | 460 |
| Work from home | 91st | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 103rd | 459 |
North Reading's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare North Reading with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for North Reading?
13 of the 57 figures for North Reading on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for North Reading are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.