Editing Reading, Kansas

{{Short description|City in Lyon County, Kansas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Reading, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Reading Bank & Post Office.JPG
|image_caption            = Downtown Reading (2009) (prior to tornado)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Lyon_County_Kansas_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Reading_Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon County]] and [[Kansas]]
|image_map1               = Map of Lyon Co, Ks, USA.png
|map_caption1             = [[Kansas Department of Transportation|KDOT]] map of [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon County]] ([[:File:Kansas official transportation map legend.png|legend]])

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|31|09|N|95|57|27|W|region:US-KS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1870
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        = 1870
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1890<ref name="gov1"/>
|named_for                = [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = <ref name="gov1">{{cite web |title=City of Reading |url=https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260999 |website=The League of Kansas Municipalities |date=May 24, 2019}}</ref>
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              =

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.21
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.21
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 0.55
|area_land_km2            = 0.55
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 1093

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 181
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 66868
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 620|620]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 20-58600 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2396331<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|2396331}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.readingks.com/|readingks.com}}
}}

'''Reading''' is a city in [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 181.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Reading, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2058600 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503174939/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2058600 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
For millennia, the land that is currently Kansas was inhabited by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]].  In 1803, the United States secured most of modern [[History of Kansas|Kansas]] as part of the [[Louisiana Purchase]].  In 1854, Congress organized the [[Kansas Territory]] and in 1861, [[Kansas]] became the 34th state.

In 1863, by Act of Congress and similarly by an act of the State of Kansas, the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] was granted 3,000,000 acres of Kansas land on the condition that it would build a continuous line to the western border of Kansas by March 1, 1873. On Oct. 30, 1868, construction began at Topeka. By Sept. 14, 1870, the first Santa Fe train reached Emporia, fifteen miles past the present site of Reading.<ref>{{cite journal|title= The Birth of The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad| journal=The Kansas Historical Quarterly |author1=Joseph W. Snell |author2=Don W. Wilson |date=Summer 1968 |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=113–142 |url=http://www.kancoll.org/khq/1968/68_2_snell+wilson.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418030132/http://www.kancoll.org/khq/1968/68_2_snell+wilson.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-04-18}}</ref> James Fagan, agent for the railroad lands, and T. J. Peter and M. S. Sargent, who represented the railroad interest, organized a town company, with James Fagan as president. The land was owned by McMann & Co., of [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].  The town was platted on sixty acres of Section 3, Township 18, Range 13, and called it Reading, after [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].  In summer 1870, the town site was surveyed.<ref>{{cite book| chapter-url=http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/lyon/lyon-co-p18.html#READING| title=History of the State of Kansas| chapter=Lyon County, Part 18: Reading| first=William G.| last=Cutler| year=1883| editor-first=Bonnie| editor-last=Bunce| publisher=A. T. Andreas| location=[[Chicago]]}}</ref>

The first post office in Reading was established in August 1870.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/page:1/county:LY/sort:County.county_name/direction:desc| title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961| publisher=[[Kansas Historical Society]]| access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref>  Reading was incorporated as a city in September 1890.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iZO2CL7-JAkC&pg=PA136 |title=History of Emporia and Lyon County, Kansas| publisher=Heritage Books| last=French| first=Laura M.| year=2009| pages=136| isbn=978-0788403460}}</ref>

===2011 tornado===
On May 21, 2011 around 9:15PM, an [[Enhanced Fujita Scale|EF3]] [[tornado]] hit Reading. It was three blocks wide and stayed on the ground for about four miles.  The tornado destroyed at least 56 of 110 homes and 14 of 21 businesses. The post office and fire station suffered major damage. One person died and two were hospitalized. Early damage estimates topped $2.2 million.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.kansas.com/2011/05/22/1859055/tornado-causes-extensive-damage.html| title=EF3 tornado kills one, causes extensive damage in Lyon County town| work=[[The Wichita Eagle]]| date=May 22, 2011| access-date=2015-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://lakeexpo.com/news/top_stories/reading-kan-reels-after-devastating-storm/article_8522e44a-8549-11e0-a58a-001cc4c03286.html| title=Reading, Kan. reels after devastating storm| work=[[The Kansas City Star]]| first=Brad| last=Cooper| date=May 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Kansas officials inspect damage in Reading| url=http://cjonline.com/news/2011-05-23/kansas-officials-inspect-damage-reading| last=Carpenter| first=Tim| date=May 23, 2011| work=[[The Topeka Capital-Journal]]| access-date=2015-08-05}}</ref>

In just over a year, the community rebuilt itself with some help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.<ref>{{cite news| title=Reading, Kan., doesn't qualify for some FEMA aid| url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/reading-kan-doesn-t-qualify-for-some-fema-aid/article_43dd9dae-0fa3-5469-9992-2c767848f4b9.html| last=Fisher| first=Maria Sudekum| agency=[[Associated Press]]| work=[[Columbia Missourian]]| date=June 12, 2011| access-date=2015-08-05}}</ref> Most of the town has been rebuilt as of 2023.{{clear left}}

==Geography==
Reading is located at {{coord|38.519102|-95.959091|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}} (38.519102, -95.959091)<ref name="GR1">{{cite web| url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=2011-04-23| date=February 12, 2011| title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> at the eastern edge of [[Lyon County, Kansas|Lyon County]].  It is fifteen miles northeast of [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]] and fourteen miles southwest of [[Osage City, Kansas|Osage City]], along Highway 170.  According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all  land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web| title=US Gazetteer files 2010| url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=2012-07-06| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt| archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Reading has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=917641&cityname=Reading%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units=| title=Climate Summary for Reading, Kansas| publisher=Weatherbase| access-date=2015-08-05}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 120
|1900= 304
|1910= 289
|1920= 358
|1930= 341
|1940= 302
|1950= 289
|1960= 249
|1970= 247
|1980= 244
|1990= 264
|2000= 247
|2010= 231
|2020= 181
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}
[[File:Reading Kansas community center and grain elevator.jpg|thumb|Reading Community Center, Reading Café, Grain Elevator (replaced after tornado).]]
[[File:The old jail in Reading Kansas, Oct. 2012.jpg|thumbnail|right|1870s Reading Jailhouse next to Reading Water Tower.]]
Reading is part of the [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]] [[Emporia micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 181 people, 80 households, and 57 families in Reading.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 849.8 per square mile (328.1/km{{sup|2}}). There were 80 housing units at an average density of 375.6 per square mile (145.0/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:0>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 95.58% (173) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (95.58% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.0% (0) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.0% (0) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.0% (0) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 1.66% (3) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.76% (5) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 1.1% (2) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 80 households, 36.2% had children under the age of 18; 47.5% were married couples living together; 26.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 23.8% of households consisted of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 6.6% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

26.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.5 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.6 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $46,250 (with a margin of error of +/- $24,821) and the median family income was $54,375 (+/- $18,273).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $31,528 (+/- $10,170) versus $20,139 (+/- $2,746) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $25,000 (+/- $6,708).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 9.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 53.6% of those under the age of 18 and 2.6% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Reading%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web| title=U.S. Census website| url=https://www.census.gov| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 231 people, 86 households, and 62 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1155.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 103 housing units at an average density of {{convert|515.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]]. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 86 households, of which 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the city was 32.9 years. 33.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 7.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.7% male and 46.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=2008-01-31| title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 247 people, 92 households, and 63 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,185.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 108 housing units at an average density of {{convert|518.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.98% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.40% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], and 1.62% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.62% of the population.

There were 92 households, out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $29,500. Males had a median income of $18,750 versus $25,536 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $11,673. About 15.6% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.4% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

==Government==
The Reading government consists of a mayor and five council members.  The council meets the first Thursday of each month at 7PM.<ref name="gov1"/>
* City Hall, 413 First Street.
* U.S. Post Office, 404 First Street.
* Kansas Department of Wildlife & Park, 2272 Road 250.

==Education==
The community is served by [[North Lyon County USD 251]] public school district, and its headquarters are located in [[Americus, Kansas|Americus]].  The Northern Heights High School is located east of [[Allen, Kansas|Allen]], and its mascot is the Wildcats. The NLC Elementary School and NLC Early Learning Center (preschool) are located in Americus.

The city previously had a school located at 424 First Street.  Reading High School was closed through school unification in 1980. The Reading High School mascot was "The Reading Lions". The Reading Elementary School closed at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year. As of March 21, 2019 the school district had not made a decision as to the disposition of the school building in Reading.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emporiagazette.com/free/article_db390650-4b8b-11e9-9866-1b8f0a414147.html|title=Decision on Reading Elementary sale tabled}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Jim Barnett (Kansas politician)|Jim Barnett]], unsuccessful 2006 [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidate for [[governor of Kansas]], grew up on a farm near Reading and graduated from Reading High School.
* [[Bob Price (Texas politician)|Robert D. "Bob" Price]] (1927–2004), [[U.S. Representative]] from the [[Texas Panhandle]] from 1967 to 1975, was born in Reading.

==See also==
* [[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Lyon County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Lyon County, Kansas}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Reading, Kansas}}
;City
* [https://www.readingks.com/ City of Reading]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260999 Reading - Directory of Public Officials]
;Historical
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030407014141/http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/lyon/lyon-co-p18.html#READING Reading - Early history]
; May 2011 Tornado
* [http://www.kansastravel.org/reading.htm Photos of tornado recovery], kansastravel.org
* [http://cjonline.com/news/2011-05-23/kansas-officials-inspect-damage-reading Kansas officials inspect damage in Reading], The Topeka Capital-Journal
* [http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/22/2893541/tornado-hits-reading-kan.html 45 photos of Reading tornado damage], The Kansas City Star
* [http://www.kansas.com/2011/05/22/1859378/tornado-rips-through-reading-kansas.html 50 photos of Reading tornado damage], The Wichita Eagle
* [https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=reading+tornado+2011&m=text Numerous photos of Reading tornado damage], Flickr
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110607230104/http://www.ksn.com/mostpopular/story/Tornado-caught-on-Emporia-tower-camera/1vCQCLcuV0ShV8TKNlvDcQ.cspx Video of Reading tornado seen from a TV tower], KSN
;Maps
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/reading.pdf Reading city map], KDOT

{{Lyon County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Lyon County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Emporia, Kansas micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in Kansas]]