Reading, MA Demographics

A map of Reading's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	21,585	22,253	84.3%	87.2%
Asian	1,611	1,347	6.3%	5.3%
Hispanic	1,431	688	5.6%	2.7%
Multiracial	762	746	3.0%	2.9%
Black	122	318	0.5%	1.2%
Native American/Other	101	166	0.4%	0.7%

Reading, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 25,612, a less than 1% change from the 25,518 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 84.3% White, 6.3% Asian, 5.6% Hispanic, 3.0% Multiracial, 0.5% Black, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Reading, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Reading has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Reading, that probability was 23.5% in 2020 and 28.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Reading is ranked the 63rd most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Reading was ranked the 63rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Reading's White Population

21,585 residents of Reading, or 84.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Reading is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Reading ranks 98th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's White population has declined by an estimated 3.0%. White residents' share of Reading's population has decreased from 87.2% to 84.3%.

Reading is more White than neighboring Stoneham (81% White), Lynnfield (81.2% White), and Woburn (71.7% White). Reading is less White than neighboring Wakefield (85.5% White), and Wilmington (86.6% White).

Reading's Black Population

122 residents of Reading, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Reading is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Reading ranks 153rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Black population has declined by an estimated 61.6%. Black residents' share of Reading's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.5%.

Reading is less Black than neighboring Wakefield (0.7% Black), Stoneham (1.2% Black), Wilmington (1% Black), Lynnfield (1% Black), and Woburn (4.4% Black).

Reading's Asian Population

1,611 residents of Reading, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Reading is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Reading ranks 54th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Asian population has grown by an estimated 19.6%. Asian residents' share of Reading's population has increased from 5.3% to 6.3%.

Reading is more Asian than neighboring Wakefield (5.7% Asian), and Wilmington (3.7% Asian). Reading is less Asian than neighboring Stoneham (6.8% Asian), Lynnfield (7% Asian), and Woburn (8% Asian).

Reading's Hispanic Population

1,431 residents of Reading, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Reading is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Reading ranks 195th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 108.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Reading's population has increased from 2.7% to 5.6%.

Reading is more Hispanic than neighboring Wakefield (2.7% Hispanic), Stoneham (4.7% Hispanic), and Wilmington (2.4% Hispanic). Reading is less Hispanic than neighboring Woburn (8.1% Hispanic).

Reading's Native American/Other Population

101 residents of Reading, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Reading is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Reading ranks 175th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 39.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Reading's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Reading is less Native American/Other than neighboring Wakefield (0.8% Native American/Other), Stoneham (0.6% Native American/Other), Wilmington (0.6% Native American/Other), and Woburn (1.5% Native American/Other).

Reading's Multiracial Population

762 residents of Reading, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Reading is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Reading ranks 208th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Reading's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Reading's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Reading is less Multiracial than neighboring Wakefield (4.6% Multiracial), Stoneham (5.7% Multiracial), Wilmington (5.7% Multiracial), Lynnfield (4.8% Multiracial), and Woburn (6.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.