Reading, Columbiana County, Ohio

Reading is situated in the northeastern part of Columbiana County, within West Township, approximately 3 miles west of the city of Salem and about 15 miles southwest of Youngstown. The community lies in the glaciated Allegheny Plateau, characterized by rolling hills and fertile soils. The area is drained by small tributaries of the Mahoning River, which flows northward into Pennsylvania. U.S. Route 62 passes nearby, providing access to Salem and other regional centers. The community is not incorporated, so it has no formal boundaries or municipal government; it is governed by the township trustees and county officials.

The area that became Reading was first settled in the early 1800s by pioneers from Pennsylvania and New England, part of the wave of westward expansion following the Northwest Ordinance. The community grew slowly, with a post office established in the mid-19th century. The arrival of the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad in the 1850s spurred modest growth, allowing local farmers to ship grain and livestock to larger markets. By the early 20th century, Reading had a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a small schoolhouse. The post office operated until the 1930s, after which mail was routed through Salem. Today, Reading is a quiet residential area with scattered farms and homes.

Because Reading is unincorporated, the U.S. Census Bureau does not track its population separately; it is included in the totals for West Township. The township's population was approximately 1,800 in the 2020 census, with a median age of around 45. The community is predominantly white, with a small percentage of Hispanic and Asian residents. Most residents commute to jobs in Salem, Youngstown, or Canton. Local amenities are limited to a few small businesses and churches; the nearest schools are part of the Salem City School District. Community life centers on the township hall and local churches, which host seasonal events.

One notable but often overlooked fact is that Reading was once a stop on the interurban electric railway that connected Salem and Youngstown in the early 1900s, a service that ended in the 1930s. The community also has a small cemetery with graves dating to the 1820s, including veterans of the War of 1812. In the 1970s, a local farmer discovered a cache of Native American artifacts, including arrowheads and pottery shards, suggesting prehistoric habitation. Additionally, Reading is sometimes confused with the much larger city of Reading in Hamilton County, Ohio, leading to occasional mail misdeliveries. The community's name is believed to derive from Reading, Pennsylvania, reflecting the origins of early settlers.

Unincorporated community

A populated area that is not part of a municipality and lacks its own local government.

Township

A civil subdivision of a county, often providing local services in rural areas.

Interurban

An electric railway that operated between cities, common in the early 20th century.