North Reading, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North Reading, Massachusetts
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Flint Memorial Library
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Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Middlesex | |
| Settled | 1651 | |
| Incorporated | 1853 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 13.5 sq mi (35.0 km2) | |
| • Land | 13.3 sq mi (34.3 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.6 km2) | |
| Elevation | 100 ft (30 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,554 | |
| • Density | 1,152/sq mi (444.4/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
01864
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| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 | |
| FIPS code | 25-48955 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618230 | |
| Website | http://www.northreadingma.gov | |
North Reading (pronounced like 'Red-ing') is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 15,554 people lived there.
Contents
History of North Reading
The area where North Reading is now was first settled in 1651. At that time, the town of Reading received a special land grant. This land was located north of the Ipswich River.
North Reading officially became its own separate town in 1853. It shares borders with several other towns. These include Andover, North Andover, Middleton, Lynnfield, Reading, and Wilmington.
In the early days, around the 1600s, six families moved to the area. They built large farms along the river. The town's economy in the 17th and 18th centuries was mostly based on farming. People grew crops to feed themselves and their families. They also grew some hops.
Over time, the town added mills. By 1694, there was a sawmill near Lob's Pond. By 1794, there were both grist mills (for grinding grain) and sawmills in the town center.
Later, around 1820, people started making boots and shoes. By 1850, many houses had small shops attached where shoes were made. These shoes were often sold to clothe enslaved people in the South. The American Civil War stopped this industry. In the early 1900s, North Reading's main products became milk, apples, and other fruits.
Geography of North Reading
North Reading covers a total area of about 13.5 square miles (35.0 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 13.2 square miles (34.3 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square miles (0.6 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1860 | 1,203 | — |
| 1870 | 942 | −21.7% |
| 1880 | 900 | −4.5% |
| 1890 | 874 | −2.9% |
| 1900 | 1,035 | +18.4% |
| 1910 | 1,059 | +2.3% |
| 1920 | 1,286 | +21.4% |
| 1930 | 1,945 | +51.2% |
| 1940 | 2,886 | +48.4% |
| 1950 | 4,402 | +52.5% |
| 1960 | 8,331 | +89.3% |
| 1970 | 11,264 | +35.2% |
| 1980 | 11,455 | +1.7% |
| 1990 | 12,002 | +4.8% |
| 2000 | 13,837 | +15.3% |
| 2010 | 14,892 | +7.6% |
| 2020 | 15,554 | +4.4% |
| 2023* | 16,054 | +3.2% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. | ||
In 2000, there were 13,837 people living in North Reading. These people lived in 4,795 households. About 3,754 of these were families.
Many households had children under 18 living with them (40%). Most households were married couples living together (68.9%). About 17.9% of all households were single individuals. About 6.1% of these individuals were 65 years old or older.
The average household had about 2.86 people. The average family had about 3.28 people. The town's population was spread out by age. About 27.5% were under 18. About 10.4% were 65 or older. The average age in North Reading was 38 years old.
Education in North Reading
North Reading has several schools for students of all ages.
- North Reading High School
- North Reading Middle School
- E. Ethel Little School
- Turner Hood School
- L. D. Batchelder School
Town Services
Emergency Services
The town of North Reading has its own police and fire departments. The North Reading Fire Department has full-time firefighters. They also have a smaller group of call members who help when needed.
Famous People from North Reading
North Reading has been home to many interesting people.
- William Taylor Adams (1822–1897) was an author. He wrote under the name "Oliver Optic."
- Jonathan Bird (born 1969) is a television producer. He has won an Emmy Award for his work.
- Alex Carpenter (born 1994) is an ice hockey player. She plays for PWHL New York. Alex also played for Boston College and was on Team USA in the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics.
- Jon Favreau (born 1981) was a speechwriter for President Barack Obama. He also helped start Crooked Media and co-hosts a podcast called Pod Save America.
- Casey Fitzgerald (born 1997) is an ice hockey player. He plays with the Buffalo Sabres.
- Ryan Fitzgerald (born 1994) is an ice hockey player. He plays with the Providence Bruins. The Boston Bruins chose him in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
- Tom Fitzgerald (born 1968) is the general manager for the New Jersey Devils ice hockey team.
- Art Kenney (1916–2014) was a Major League baseball player. He was also the principal of North Reading High School.
- George Frederick Root (1820–1895) was a songwriter. He became famous during the American Civil War.
- Jimmy Vesey (born 1993) is an ice hockey player. He plays with the New York Rangers. Jimmy went to North Reading High School before playing for Harvard University.
See also
In Spanish: North Reading (Massachusetts) para niños
