Jerry Nichols Tavern · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0In North Reading, 82% of adult citizens voted for president in 2024, more than across Massachusetts
North Reading’s town government spent $83.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $5,239 per resident. Water and other utilities ($3.2 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how North Reading is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$5,239 per resident in 2022: more than 72% of them
North Reading’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($5,239 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,531, and the middle half spent $3,716–$5,278. North Reading spent more than 72% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.3 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; North Reading itself left out).
About $5,239 per resident a year, or $14.35 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 61% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
North Reading runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
No trend yet
North Reading reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $9,693 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.36% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at North Reading’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to North Reading’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in North Reading →
Who’s in charge in North Reading
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
North Reading’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on northreadingma.gov ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 35 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (15,904).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
North Reading School District
North Reading’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by North Reading, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $21,965 per pupil, $14,266 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How North Reading voted in 2024
Official results for North Reading’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat52.8%5,226 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican44.8%4,435 votesOthers: 2.4% (234 votes).
Most votes in North Reading: Kamala D Harris
Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of North Reading’s 12,069 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in North Reading: John Deaton
Middlesex County: Warren 66.5%, Deaton 33.3% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Seth W Moulton
Whole-district result
President, 2024: North Reading, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Reading | 52.8% | 44.8% | 2.4% | 9,895 |
| Middlesex County | 68.0% | 28.9% | 3.1% | 814,832 |
| Massachusetts | 61.2% | 36.0% | 2.8% | 3,473,668 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for North Reading.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: northreadingma.gov ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseState representatives
- 3Massachusetts SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How North Reading compares with the towns next door
North Reading spent $5,239 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $2,814 to $10,209. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Middleton | $2,814 runs schools | $8,785 |
| North Andover | $4,452 runs schools | $7,767 |
| Reading | $4,836 runs schools | $9,320 |
| Wilmington | $4,837 runs schools | $7,704 |
| Lynnfield | $5,441 runs schools | $10,000+ |
| Andover | $10,209 runs schools | $10,000+ |
| North Reading | $5,239 | $9,693 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach North Reading’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about North Reading’s government
How much does North Reading spend per resident?
About $5,239 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $5,239 was more than 72% of 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in North Reading?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $9,693 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.36% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see northreadingma.gov.
Who runs North Reading’s government?
See northreadingma.gov for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for North Reading yet.
How did North Reading vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 52.8%, Donald J Trump 44.8% (9,895 votes, official results). Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for North Reading?
449 full-time and 99 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $3.4M (about $40.8M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents North Reading in the state legislature?
State Senate District First Essex and Middlesex (Bruce Tarr) and State House District 20th Middlesex (Brad Jones). The House district also covers three neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about North Reading’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →