Seattle Central Library. Photo: Jeff Wilcox.

Think of Seattle. And whether it’s Amazon.com or Elliott Bay Book Company or the amazing main Seattle library, reading is a core fabric of our society.

Heck, even Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s dad was a librarian for the University of Washington.

Blame the rain. People here love books, and reading.

But are we slipping when it comes to the literate index?

A new study ranking the country’s “most literate” cities puts Seattle in second place.

That’s not bad.

But here’s the deal. Seattle previously ranked number one, according to the rankings from Central Connecticut State University. Those silly political wonks in D.C. have surpassed us, taking over the first place spot for the third straight year. The ranking was compiled based on a number of factors, including number of booksellers, libraries and newspaper readership (the latter being one of Seattle’s weakest areas at a rank of #21).

In 2005, 2006 and 2009, as the chart below shows, Seattle ranked #1. At least we’re still way ahead of those bozos down in Portland where I hear they have a little bookstore in the middle of the city. So, what do you think? Are we slipping here in Seattle?

[Via The Atlantic]

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.