Reading is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States.

In 1803, the United States secured most of modern Kansas as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

By Sept. 14, 1870, the first Santa Fe train reached Emporia, fifteen miles past the present site of Reading.

The post office and fire station suffered major damage.

In just over a year, the community rebuilt itself with some help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

[12] Most of the town has been rebuilt as of 2023.Reading is located at 38°31′09″N 95°57′33″W / 38.519102°N 95.959091°W / 38.519102; -95.959091 (38.519102, -95.959091)[13] at the eastern edge of Lyon County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.20 square miles (0.52 km2), all of it land.

[14] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

The 2020 United States census counted 181 people, 80 households, and 57 families in Reading.

23.8% of households consisted of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 97.98% White, 0.40% African American, and 1.62% from two or more races.

26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 15.6% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

[2] The community is served by North Lyon County USD 251 public school district, and its headquarters are located in Americus.

The Northern Heights High School is located east of Allen, and its mascot is the Wildcats.

The Reading Elementary School closed at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year.