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Reading, MA

Frequently asked questions

Reading, MA

Reading is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, 16 miles (26 km) north of central Boston. The population was 25,518 at the 2020 census.

Many of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's original settlers arrived from England in the 1630s through the ports of Lynn and Salem. In 1639, some citizens of Lynn petitioned the government of the colony for a "place for an inland plantation". They were initially granted six square miles, followed by an additional four. The first settlement in this grant was at first called "Lynn Village" and was located on the south shore of the "Great Pond", now known as Lake Quannapowitt. On June 10, 1644, the settlement was incorporated as the town of Reading, taking its name from the town of Reading in England.

The first church was organized soon after the settlement, and the first parish separated and became the town of "South Reading" in 1812, renaming itself as Wakefield in 1868. Thomas Parker was one of the founders of Reading. He also was a founder of the 12th Congregational Church (now the First Parish Congregational Church) and served as deacon there. He was a selectman of Reading and was appointed a judicial commissioner. There is evidence that Parker was "conspicuous in naming the town" and that he was related to the Parker family of Little Norton, England, who owned land by the name of Ryddinge.

A special grant in 1651 added land north of the Ipswich River to the town of Reading. In 1853 this area became the separate town of North Reading. The area which currently comprises the town of Reading was originally known as "Wood End", or "Third Parish".

Reading was initially governed by an open town meeting and a board of selectmen, a situation that persisted until the 1940s. In 1693, the town meeting voted to fund public education in Reading, with grants of four pounds for three months of school in the town, two pounds for the west end of the town, and one pound for those north of the Ipswich River. In 1769, the meeting house was constructed, in the area which is now the Common in Reading. A stone marker commemorates the site.

Reading played an active role in the American Revolutionary War. It was prominently involved in the engagements pursuing the retreating British Army after the battles of Lexington and Concord. John Brooks, later to become Governor of Massachusetts, was captain of the "Fourth Company of Minute" and subsequently served at the Battle of White Plains and at Valley Forge. Only one Reading soldier was killed in action during the Revolution; Joshua Eaton died in the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

Reading is located at 42°31′33″N 71°6′35″W (42.52585, −71.109939). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.9 square miles (25.7 km2). No significant amount of land is covered permanently by water, although there is a plethora of vernal pools in various areas of conservation land. Reading borders the towns of Woburn, Stoneham, Wakefield, Lynnfield, North Reading, and Wilmington.

Reading places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Reading Hospital and Winchester Hospital offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. For fitness fans, Fitness Within Fitness Studio provides a full-service gym experience. Fit Revolution provides high-energy classes and personalized training sessions. Yoga lovers can unwind at Centered Soul Yoga, known for its serene environment and expert instructors. For a more holistic approach, Nourish Therapy & Wellness combines nutrition counseling with mindfulness practices. Escape Day Spa offers rejuvenating treatments like massages and facials to help you relax and recharge.
 

Top Sites in Reading, MA are IMAX 3D Theater, Burbank Ice Arena, and It at Beantown Adventure Ropes Course.
 

ZIP Code: 01867. Area: 9.9 sq mi (25.7 km2). Elevation: 39 m. Area code: 339 / 781. Population: 25,518 (2020).
 

FAQs

Is Reading, MA a good place to live?

Reading is in Middlesex County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Reading offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Reading there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Reading are highly rated.

Is Reading, MA safe?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 6 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Reading is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 67% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Reading is one in 162. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Reading‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 53% of the state's cities and towns. It is for these reasons that Reading is ranked as one of the top 100 safest cities in the U.S.A.

Is Reading, MA a wealthy town?

Reading is one of the most affluent cities in the state of Massachusetts, which is the third most wealthy state in the country. When it comes to employment in this area, the median household income in Reading is $114,354. There are a high number of management-level individuals living in Reading within the financial, educational, healthcare, and tech industries. Reading jobs can be found with a wide variety of upstanding companies including Aptus Health, the city’s school district, and Teradyne Inc.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Reading

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Massbay Movers

IMAX 3D Theater 

Burbank Ice Arena

It at Beantown Adventure Ropes Course

Reading Hospital 

Winchester Hospital

Fitness Within Fitness Studio

Fit Revolution

Centered Soul Yoga

Nourish Therapy & Wellness 

Escape Day Spa 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.