Reading, town, Middlesex County, northeastern Massachusetts, near Boston; incorporated 1644. It is mainly residential and also has manufacturing firms producing printed materials and high-tech equipment. Settled in 1639 as Lynn Village, the community was separated from Lynn in 1644 and was renamed for Reading, England. During the 19th century it was known for the manufacture of chairs and cabinets, shoes, clocks, and organ pipes. Population 22,678 (1980); 22,539 (1990); 22,539 (1996 estimate).
