During a survey held in early 2021, it was found that 83 percent of adults aged between 18 and 29 years old had read a book in any format in the previous year, up by two percent from the share who said the same in 2019. The survey results showed that adults within this age category were more likely than older respondents to have read a book within the last twelve months.

Book readers in the U.S.

While it is mostly believed that book reading is a vanishing pastime, particularly among Millennials, surveys among consumers in the U.S. have shown the opposite. The share of book readers in the U.S. has varied from 72 percent to 79 percent between 2011 and 2016.

In regards to age of book readers in the country, a 2016 survey shows about 80 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 to 29 had read at least one book in the previous 12 months, the highest share amongst all age groups. About 73 percent of the respondents aged between 30 to 49 years old said they read at least one book in the last 12 months. The share among respondents between 50 and 64 years old stood at 70 percent, whereas 67 percent of respondents aged 65 plus stated reading book during the time measured. In terms of education level, book readers in the U.S. are more likely to have a college degree, or at least some college education – 86 percent and 81 percent respectively. Women in the U.S. read slightly more than men; 68 percent of male respondents started reading at least one book in the previous 12 months, against 77 percent of female respondents that said the same.

Despite the rise of digital platforms and the rising popularity of e-reading devices such as Kindle, Kobo and others, printed books still remain the most popular book format in the U.S., as 65 percent of Americans stated preference for printed books in 2016. E-books were consumed by 28 percent of respondents in 2016, whereas audio books were listened by 14 percent of the respondents. Millennials accounted for the largest share of printed book readers in the U.S. – 72 percent as of 2016.

In 2023, adults in the United States spent more time reading on weekends than weekdays, according to recent data. The average time spent reading in the U.S. amounted to **** hours (almost ** minutes) on weekends and holidays, while daily time spent reading on weekdays in 2023 dropped back to pre-pandemic levels at a ******* of an hour.

United States - Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Other Small States was 86.25975 % of People Ages 15 and Above in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Other Small States reached a record high of 86.25975 in January of 2023 and a record low of 71.82288 in January of 1983. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Other Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on May of 2025.

According to the results of a survey held in the United States, the share of Americans who had read more than ** books in the last three months stood at **** percent in February 2024. However, **** percent had not any read any books in the three months running up to the survey.

In the United States in 2023, Asian Americans spent an average of 17.4 minutes reading per day. White readers spent the most time with books each day, whereas Hispanic Americans read for just six minutes on average.

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, 2001 (PIRLS 2001), is a study that in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) program. PIRLS 2001 (https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/) is a cross-sectional study that provides international comparative information of the reading literacy of fourth-grade students and examines factors that may be associated with the acquisition of reading literacy in young students. The study was conducted using questionnaires and direct assessments of fourth-grade students. In the United States a total of 174 schools were sampled and 3,763 fourth-grade students were tested. The final weighted student response rate was 96 percent and the final weighted school response rate was 86 percent. The overall weighted response rate was 83 percent. Key statistics produced from PIRLS 2001 are how well fourth-grade students read, how students in one country compare with students in another country, how much fourth-grade students value and enjoy reading, and internationally, how the reading habits and attitudes of students vary.

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Graph and download economic data for Expenditures: Reading by Highest Education: College Graduate: Bachelor's Degree (CXUREADINGLB1408M) from 2012 to 2023 about book, tertiary schooling, expenditures, education, and USA.

National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 2003 (NAAL:2003), is a study that is part of the National Assessment of Adult Literacy program. NAAL:2003 (https://nces.ed.gov/naal/) is a cross-sectional assessment that collected information about English literacy among American adults age 16 and older. The study was conducted using direct assessment from 19,000 adults 16 or older, in their homes and some in prisons from the 50 states and District of Columbia. Households and prison inmates were sampled in 2003. The weighted response rate was 62.1 percent for households and 88.3 percent for prison inmates. Key statistics produced from NAAL:2003 include reading skills, general literacy, relationships, demographics, and background characteristics.

The average daily time spent reading by individuals in the United States in 2023 amounted to 0.26 hours, or 15.6 minutes. According to the study, adults over the age of 75 were the most avid readers, spending over 45 minutes reading each day. Meanwhile, those aged between 15 and 19 years read for less than nine minutes per day on average. Reading and COVID-19 Daily time reading increased among most consumers between 2019 and 2020, part of which could be linked to the unprecedented increases in media consumption during COVID-19 shutdowns. The mean annual expenditure on books per consumer unit also increased year over year, along with spending on digital book readers. Book reading habits A 2020 survey on preferred book formats found that 70 percent of U.S. adults favored print books over e-books or audiobooks. However, engagement with digital books is growing. Figures from an annual study on book consumption revealed that the share of adults who reported reading an audiobook in the last year almost doubled between 2011 and 2019, and e-book readership also grew overall during that period.

Graph and download economic data for Expenditures: Reading by Age: from Age 25 to 34 (CXUREADINGLB0403M) from 1984 to 2023 about book, age, 25 years +, expenditures, and USA.

From 2020 to 2022, reading test scores declined for nine year olds of every race except for those who were Asian in the United States. Within this time period, the most significant decrease was for nine year olds who were two or more races, as their scores dropped from 224 in 2020 to 216 in 2022.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Reading town population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Reading town across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Reading town was 25,428, a 0.36% increase year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Reading town population was 25,336, an increase of 0.08% compared to a population of 25,316 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Reading town increased by 1,567. In this period, the peak population was 25,537 in the year 2020. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Reading town is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Reading town population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Reading town Population by Year. You can refer the same here

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts statistics for Reading city, Pennsylvania. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits.

United States CPI U: AW: Recreation: Reading Materials: Books data was reported at 0.060 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.064 % for 2016. United States CPI U: AW: Recreation: Reading Materials: Books data is updated yearly, averaging 0.123 % from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2017, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.202 % in 1998 and a record low of 0.060 % in 2017. United States CPI U: AW: Recreation: Reading Materials: Books data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.I011: Consumer Price Index: Urban: Weights (Annual).

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts statistics for Reading city, Ohio. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Reading town population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Reading town across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Reading town was 1,685, a 0.18% decrease year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Reading town population was 1,688, a decline of 1.11% compared to a population of 1,707 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Reading town decreased by 108. In this period, the peak population was 1,800 in the year 2002. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Reading town is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Reading town population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Reading town Population by Year. You can refer the same here

United States - Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Small States was 87.28028 % of People Ages 15 and Above in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Small States reached a record high of 87.28028 in January of 2023 and a record low of 76.87106 in January of 1986. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

United States CES: South: AAE: Reading data was reported at 96.000 USD in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 89.000 USD for 2015. United States CES: South: AAE: Reading data is updated yearly, averaging 111.000 USD from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 143.000 USD in 1993 and a record low of 79.000 USD in 2013. United States CES: South: AAE: Reading data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H043: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Region.

United States CPI U: Recreation: Reading Materials: Books data was reported at 95.310 Dec1997=100 in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 95.247 Dec1997=100 for Sep 2018. United States CPI U: Recreation: Reading Materials: Books data is updated monthly, averaging 102.500 Dec1997=100 from Dec 1997 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 251 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.431 Dec1997=100 in Sep 2009 and a record low of 93.140 Dec1997=100 in Jun 2017. United States CPI U: Recreation: Reading Materials: Books data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.I002: Consumer Price Index: Urban.