The area was first settled in 1651 when the town of Reading received a special land grant north of the Ipswich River. It was officially incorporated as the separate town of North Reading in 1853. North Reading borders Andover, North Andover, Middleton, Lynnfield, Reading, and Wilmington.

A historical source wrote:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.5 square miles (35.0 km²), of which 13.2 square miles (34.3 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²), or 1.85%, is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,837 people, 4,795 households, and 3,754 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,044.0 people per square mile (403.2/km²). There were 4,870 housing units at an average density of 367.4 per square mile (141.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.53% White, 0.40% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more backgrounds. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 4,795 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $76,962, and the median income for a family was $86,341. Males had a median income of $52,446 versus $39,458 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,902. About 0.7% of families and 1.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

The North Reading Board of Selectmen has five members who are elected to serve three-year overlapping terms. As specified in the Town Charter and the Massachusetts General Laws, they are the chief elected officers of the town. The board may enact rules and regulations in a variety of areas, as well as establish town policies and procedures on many issues, unless such issues are delegated by law or vote of the town meeting to another officer or board. The board appoints a Town Administrator who supervises and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of town government departments.