Editing Reading, Ohio

{{For|the community in Columbiana County|Reading, Columbiana County, Ohio}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Reading, Ohio
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|mottoes                  = "The Crossroads of Opportunity", {{lang|de|Wir Tun Unser Bestes}} ([[German language|German]]: "We Do Our Best")<ref>{{cite news|title=Encapsuled communities: Mottos sum up ambience of area neighborhoods|first=Walt|last=Schaefer|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |edition=West|date=January 11, 1991|pages=1–2 Extra|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28535813/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=READING: 'Wir Tun Unser Bestes' (We Try Our Best). This slogan, which appears on the city flag, was born in a Cub Scout group project for the nation's bicentennial in 1976, said Harold Davis, president of the Reading Board of Education and former leader of Cub Scout Pack 665. Each of 30 scouts created a flag based on Reading history. 'We did not take any one idea but combined ideas into a single thought,' Davis said. 'The motto (on the flag) reflects the German ancestry of our city.'}} [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28535974/]</ref>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Benson east of Lind, Reading.jpg
|imagesize                = 230px
|image_caption            = Benson Street downtown
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Hamilton County Ohio Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Reading highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Hamilton County, Ohio|Hamilton County]] and the state of [[Ohio]].

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Hamilton County, Ohio|Hamilton]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Robert Bemmes ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Hamilton County Officials 2016|url=http://boe.hamilton-co.org/files/files/Offices_Candidate/2016/HAM%20CO%20ELECTED%20OFFICIALS%202016(1).pdf#page=20|website=Hamilton County Board of Elections|accessdate=1 February 2016|page=20|date=27 January 2016}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title1        = Settled
|established_date1         = 1797
|established_title2        = Incorporated
|established_date2         = March 24, 1851
|established_title3        = Became a city
|established_date3         = January 1, 1932
|established_title4        = Withdrew from [[Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio|Sycamore Township]]
|established_date4         = May 19, 1943

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 7.48
|area_land_km2            = 7.48
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.89
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.89
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 10397
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 10600
|population_density_km2   = 1416.64
|population_density_sq_mi = 3669.09
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts Reading city, Ohio |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/readingcityohio/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=27 September 2023}}</ref>

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 755
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|13|27|N|84|26|00|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 45215, 45236, 45237
|area_code                = [[Area code 513|513]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 39-65732<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1086225<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086225}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.readingohio.org}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Reading''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɛ|d|ɪ|ŋ}} {{respell|RED|ing}}) is a [[city]] in [[Hamilton County, Ohio]], United States. The population was 10,600 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is an [[inner suburb]] of [[Cincinnati]] and is included as part of the [[Cincinnati metropolitan area]].

==History==
In 1794, Abraham Voorhees moved his family from [[Somerset County, New Jersey]], building a large double log cabin along the west bank of the [[Mill Creek (Ohio)|Millcreek]] in [[Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio|Sycamore Township]], in present-day [[Lockland, Ohio|Lockland]]. In the spring of 1795, Harvey Redinbo, a [[Pennsylvania Dutch]]man, visited from [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]. Pleased with the land that Voorhees had acquired, Redinbo purchased his own land, in the area of Hunt Road and Columbia Avenue. Around 1798, Voorhees [[plat]]ted a town named Voorhees-Town but did not record it with county officials until January 7, 1804. By then, Redinbo had convinced him to rename the town to Reading, after Redinbo's hometown.<ref name="Nelson">{{cite book|title=History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio: Their Past and Present, Including...biographies and Portraits of Pioneers and Representative Citizens, etc.|volume=1|first=S. B.|last=Nelson|date=1894|accessdate=December 11, 2013|pages=448|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TdUyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA448|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Reading set to celebrate centennial|first=Gina|last=Gentry-Fletcher|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |edition=Central|date=June 9, 1994|page=5 Extra|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28495372/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Ford">{{cite book|title=History of Hamilton County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches|location=Cleveland|editor1-first=Henry A.|editor1-last=Ford|editor2-first=Kate B.|editor2-last=Ford|year=1881|pages=390, 393|hdl=2027/inu.30000047803998?urlappend=%3Bseq=522|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/inu.30000047803998?urlappend=%3Bseq=522|via=HathiTrust}}</ref>

Between 1830 and 1880, Reading grew rapidly to become the largest village in Hamilton County. It was incorporated as a village on March 24, 1851. The village's major industry was clothing manufacturing.<ref name="Nelson" /><ref name="Ford" /><ref>{{cite book|chapter=A history of Reading|first=Charles|last=Gertz|title=Reading centennial souvenir: City of Reading, Ohio, founded 1797, incorporated 1851|publisher=Schulte & Cappel|date=1951|page=31|oclc=1084277189 |url=http://classic.cincinnatilibrary.org/record=b3421962~S1|via=Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County}}</ref>

[[File:Benson Street Concrete Bowstring Bridge in color.jpg|thumb|left|Benson Street Bridge]]

The Benson Street Bridge, built in 1901, spans [[Mill Creek (Ohio)|Mill Creek]] on the city limit with [[Lockland, Ohio|Lockland]]. It was the second concrete [[Tied-arch bridge|rainbow arch bridge]] and the first in Ohio.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benson Street Bridge: A neighborly connection|first=Randy|last=McNutt|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=January 20, 2004|page=G8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28104782/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Welcome sign reminded 'friends' not to fight|first=John|last=Eckberg|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|edition=Central|date=May 12, 1994|page=2 Extra|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28124489/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

As of 1912, Reading was a [[sundown town]]. African Americans were prohibited from living within the city or remaining there after dark.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fear Crowd As Suspect Faces Girls|edition=home|work=[[The Cincinnati Post]]|publisher=Scripps-Howard Newspapers|volume=70|issue=5|date=July 5, 1912|page=1|via=NewsBank|quote=Negroes are not allowed to live in Reading or stay there after dark and the attack stirred residents to greater indignation than that aroused by several other attacks in the same locality.}}</ref> Most censuses from 1860 through 1960 recorded no African Americans in Reading.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Population, 1870-1850, in each State and Territory, by Civil Divisions less than Counties, as White and Colored, and Native and Foreign|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-22.pdf#page=12|title=1870 Census|volume=1|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=232|chapter-format=PDF}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=Native and Foreign Born and White and White and Colored Population, Classified by Sex, for Places Having 2,500 Inhabitants or More: 1900|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/volume-1/volume-1-p11.pdf#page=66|chapter-format=PDF|title=Twelfth Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1900|volume=1|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=674}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=Census of Population and Housing, 1910: Population—Ohio|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/36894832v3ch3.pdf#page=106|chapter-format=PDF|title=Thirteenth Census of the United States|volume=3|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=424}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=Composition and Characteristics of the Population, for Places of 2,500 to 10,000: 1920|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v3ch07.pdf#page=25|chapter-format=PDF|title=Fourteenth Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1920|volume=3|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=791}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=Composition of the Population, for Incorporated Places of 2,500 to 10,000: 1930|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-3/10612982v3p2ch05.pdf#page=43|chapter-format=PDF|title=1930 Census|volume=3|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=497}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=Composition of the Population, for Incorporated Places of 2,500 to 10,000: 1940|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-2/33973538v2p5ch6.pdf#page=122|chapter-format=PDF|title=1940 Census|volume=2|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=660}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=General Characteristics of the Population, for Urban Places of 2,500 to 10,000: 1950|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/37783896v2p35ch3.pdf#page=79|chapter-format=PDF|title=1950 Census|volume=2|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=35{{hyphen}}127}}<br />{{cite book|chapter=Characteristics of the Population, for Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Urbanized Areas, and Urban Places of 10,000 or More: 1960|chapter-url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37749282v1p37_ch03.pdf#page=66|chapter-format=PDF|title=Census of Population: 1960|publisher=United States Census Bureau|page=37{{hyphen}}109}}</ref>

In 1903, the village council instituted a nightly [[curfew]] on youths under 16. A bell atop the town hall rang at the start of the curfew.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flowers and Music in Abundance Marked Installation of New Village Officials in Office|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|date=May 5, 1903|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/167406142/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1943, the curfew was revised to start later in the evening.<ref>{{cite news|title=Old Curfew To Ring Again In Reading|work=[[The Cincinnati Post]]|date=May 5, 1943|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post/167406359/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> By 1971, the law remained on the books but was no longer being enforced.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reading adopts loitering ordinance, eyes curfew law|work=The Cincinnati Post|date=September 29, 1971|page=38|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post/167406395/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Reading became a city on January 1, 1932.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Villages Join The Ranks Of Cities|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|publisher=American Security and Trust Company|date=January 2, 1932|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28242528/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It withdrew from [[Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio|Sycamore Township]] on May 19, 1943, forming a [[Paper township#Legal fictions|paper township]] named "Reading Township".<ref>{{cite news|title=Reading Has Permission For Separate Township|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=American Security and Trust Company|date=May 20, 1943|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28105675/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==Geography==
Reading is located at {{coord|39|13|22|N|84|26|21|W|type:city}} (39.222709, -84.439036).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.89|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]]|accessdate=2013-01-06|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=2012-01-25}}</ref>

Reading is bordered by [[Cincinnati]]'s [[Roselawn, Cincinnati|Roselawn]] neighborhood to the south, [[Amberley, Ohio|Amberley Village]] and [[Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio|Sycamore Township]] to the southeast, [[Blue Ash, Ohio|Blue Ash]] to the east, [[Evendale, Ohio|Evendale]] to the north, [[Lockland, Ohio|Lockland]] to the west, and [[Arlington Heights, Ohio|Arlington Heights]] to the southwest. [[Mill Creek (Ohio)|Mill Creek]] divides Reading from Lockland and Arlington Heights.

Reading can be reached by car via [[Interstate 75 in Ohio|Interstate 75]], [[Ohio State Route 126]], or [[U.S. Route 42]]. The northbound lanes of [[Mill Creek Expressway]] run along the city's west side, with exits onto Galbraith Road and Koehler Avenue. [[Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway]] has a complex interchange with Interstate 75 at Reading. Reading lies along [[Norfolk Southern Railway]]'s [[Dayton District]] and the [[Indiana and Ohio Railway]]'s [[Oasis Subdivision]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1230
|1870= 1575
|1880= 2680
|1900= 3076
|1910= 3985
|1920= 4540
|1930= 5723
|1940= 6079
|1950= 7836
|1960= 12832
|1970= 14617
|1980= 12843
|1990= 12038
|2000= 11292
|2010= 10385
|2020= 10600
|estyear= 2022
|estimate= 10397
|estref=
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/readingcityohio,US/PST045221|title=Reading city, Ohio|website=census.gov|accessdate=July 6, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the census of 2020, there were 10,600 people living in the city, for a population density of 3,669.09 people per square mile (1,416.64/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 5,059 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 81.3% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 9.9% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.2% from [[Race (United States Census)|some other race]], and 5.8% from two or more races. 2.8% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |title=Reading city, Ohio - Census Bureau Profile |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Reading_city,_Ohio?g=160XX00US3965732 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref>

There were 4,941 households, out of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 24.7% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 27.5% had a female householder with no spouse present. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12, and the average family size was 2.80.<ref name="2020 census"/>

17.3% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 65.8% were 18 to 64, and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.4. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males.<ref name="2020 census"/>

According to the U.S. Census [[American Community Survey]], for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $56,929, and the median income for a family was $77,386. About 10.6% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over. About 63.8% of the population were employed, and 22.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="2020 census"/>

===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]]|accessdate=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 10,385 people, 4,554 households, and 2,624 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3593.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,962 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1717.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 4,554 households, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 39.5 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 11,292 people, 4,885 households, and 2,921 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3,867.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,128 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,756.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.69% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.20% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.18% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.51% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.25% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 4,885 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,140, and the median income for a family was $51,858. Males had a median income of $35,466 versus $26,250 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $23,527. About 4.7% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
[[File:"WORLD WAR I MONUMENT - VINE AND JEFFERSON STREETS" "(Insert) Clarence Halker, first Reading boy to make supreme sacrifice in World War I" art detail, from- Reading centennial souvenir (page 19 crop).jpg|thumb|upright|"WORLD WAR I MONUMENT–VINE AND JEFFERSON STREETS (Insert) Clarence Halker, first Reading boy to make supreme sacrifice in World War I."]]

==Economy==
Like other communities in the [[Mill Creek (Ohio)|Mill Creek]] Valley, Reading has an economy dominated by heavy industry, including suppliers for aerospace and automotive plants in nearby [[Sharonville, Ohio|Sharonville]] and [[Evendale, Ohio|Evendale]]. [[Thermo Fisher Scientific]]'s [[Patheon]] subsidiary operates a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant on {{convert|30|acre}} in the city.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aventis sells Cincinnati plant to Patheon|work=[[Cincinnati Business Courier]]|location=Cincinnati|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=October 16, 2002|accessdate=April 15, 2019|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2002/10/14/daily26.html}}</ref>

The Bridal District along Benson Street in downtown Reading is the most well-known concentration of wedding-related businesses in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Reading Wedding Scene|first=B. J.|last=Foreman|magazine=[[Cincinnati (magazine)|Cincinnati]]|location=Cincinnati|publisher=CM Media|date=June 1996|page=79|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dx4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA79|via=Google Books|quote=In the world of weddings, Reading, Ohio, is a prime destination. They call it 'The Bridal Boutique Capital of the Midwest,' and whether you're shopping for a wedding gown or a wedding cake, a wedding veil, bridesmaids dresses or wedding invitations, you'll surely find what you're looking for along Benson Street.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Turlock wants to bring in the brides|first=Steve|last=Chawkins|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|location=Los Angeles|date=August 24, 2008|accessdate=April 15, 2019|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-24-me-turlock24-story.html|quote=The best-known is in Reading, Ohio, a town outside Cincinnati whose 'Bridal District' has 38 stores and sponsors promotions including a footrace called the Runaway Bride 5K.}}</ref>

The electronics store chain [[Steinberg's (electronics store)|Steinberg's]] was founded and based in Reading until its bankruptcy and liquidation in 1997.

==Government==
[[File:Reading, Ohio Fire Department in 1951 from Reading centennial souvenir (page 51 crop).jpg|left|thumb|Reading, Ohio Fire Department in 1951]]
Reading uses a [[Mayor–council government|mayor–council]] form of government. The city council consists of a tie-breaking President of Council, four members representing [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|ward]]s, and three at-large members.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=WARDS AND BOUNDARIES|work=City of Reading Code of Ordinances|title=§ 206.01 Creation, establishment of wards|date=1982|chapter-url=http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Ohio/reading/parttwo-administrationcode/titletwo-generalprovisions/chapter206wardsandboundaries?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:reading_oh$anc=JD_206.01}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, the Mayor of Reading is Robert "Bo" Bemmes<ref>{{cite web|title=Mayor Robert (Bo) Bemmes|publisher=City of Reading|accessdate=April 15, 2019|url=http://www.readingohio.org/elected-officials/mayor-robert-bo-bemmes/}}</ref> and the current council president is Kevin Mattscheck.

Reading is one of 23 municipalities in Hamilton County that maintains a [[Ohio Mayor's Courts|mayor's court]], in which traffic cases and other misdemeanor cases are heard by a [[magistrate]].

At the federal level, Reading is located within [[Ohio's 2nd congressional district]]. At the state level, Reading belongs to the [[Ohio's 28th house district|28th House district]] and [[Ohio's 8th senatorial district|8th Senate district]]. See [[Ohio House of Representatives]] and [[Ohio Senate]] for the current representatives of the respective state districts.

==Education==
Reading is served by the [[Reading Community City School District]], which includes [[Reading High School (Reading, Ohio)|Reading High School]]. A new Pre K-12 school opened up Monday September 9, 2019.

Reading also includes a Roman Catholic all-girl's high school, [[Mount Notre Dame High School]], where the daughter of Civil War general [[William Tecumseh Sherman]] was one of the first students.  Also included is a Catholic elementary school, Sts. Peter and Paul Academy serve students in grades K-8.

Reading is served by a branch of the [[Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/branches/reading.html | title=Reading Branch | publisher=Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County | accessdate=12 June 2014}}</ref>

==Media==
Reading is part of the [[Media in Cincinnati|Cincinnati media market]] for newspapers, radio, and television. [[WMKV]] (89.3&nbsp;FM) broadcasts from a [[retirement community]] in Reading.

==Notable people==
{{See also|Category:People from Reading, Ohio}}
* [[Ed Biles]], professional football coach, [[History of the Houston Oilers|Houston Oilers]]
* [[John Boehner]], [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives]] from 2011 to 2015<ref>{{cite news|title=John Boehner: the second of twelve kids|first=Toby|last=Harnden|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|accessdate=September 14, 2010|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8009943/John-Boehner-the-second-of-12-kids-from-Ohio-who-is-Barack-Obamas-elitist-target.html}}</ref>
* [[Rick Christophel]], professional football coach, [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
* [[Ralph Davis (basketball)|Ralph Davis]], professional basketball player
* [[Richard E. Meyer]], businessman and record producer
* [[Brian O'Connor (pitcher)|Brian O'Connor]], professional baseball pitcher
* [[Merle Robbins]], inventor of the card game [[Uno (card game)|Uno]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Becoming Numero Uno|first=Donna|last=Vonderhaar|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=August 17, 1980|page=H-1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28132814/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
* [[Joseph G. Wilson]], Republican politician in Oregon
* [[DeShawn Wynn]], professional football player

==See also==
* [[List of sundown towns in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.readingohio.org City website]
* [http://www.readingschools.org Reading Community Schools]

{{Hamilton County, Ohio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Hamilton County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Ohio]]
[[Category:1851 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1851]]