Brentwood: Diverse hamlet, ongoing downtown improvements draw buyers
A skater takes a crack at the ramp at Roberto Clemente Park, which also has sports fields and a pool. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
THE SCOOP A diverse hamlet with more than 60,000 residents and a history as a utopian community, Brentwood celebrates its past, embraces its present and makes strides toward the future.
With the creation of a downtown commercial district centering around the Long Island Rail Road station and an ongoing extension of the sewer district, town officials hope to make Brentwood a better place to work and live.
"It's my priority to ensure that Brentwood rises up to what the residents really deserve," said Town of Islip Councilman Jorge Guadrón. "In order to do that, there's still a lot of work to do, despite the fact that we have gained many advancements in the area."
Town of Islip approved a 176-unit development of supportive and affordable housing on the former campus of Sisters of St. Joseph school, as well as a new shopping center on Suffolk Avenue.
The community comes together for four major annual parades: St. Patrick's Day in March, Memorial Day in May, Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day in June and Central American Day in September.
A busy lunch spot, Las Delicias de mi Tierra is one of multiple eateries and businesses along the busy Suffolk Avenue. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Brentwood was one of the only utopian communities on Long Island, an experiment that took root around the country in the 19th century, said Ellen Edelstein, president of the Brentwood Historical Society.
"There was a school of utopian concept that was based on the principles of individual sovereignty, equitable commerce, no laws: people were responsible for their own behaviors as long as it didn't infringe on someone else," Edelstein said.
Marianna Gaitan, 15, and her father Harol, of Brentwood, play with their dog Hema at one of the fields in Roberto Clemente Park. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Founded in 1851 by Josiah Warren and Stephen Pearl Andrews, the utopian hamlet was called "Modern Times" and boasted a Time Store where, in lieu of currency, people would trade goods and services.
"Sadly, some of the real estate and newspaper people started touting it as a free love colony, so a lot of strange people started coming out," Edelstein said.
The 1859 Dame House, also called the Octagon Home, was the site of community meetings, where women had equal say before they were actually allowed to vote in the country.
In 1864, the community was renamed Brentwood, after the town in England where Henry Edger, a prominent resident, was born.
Notable Brentwood sites today are the circa 1857 one-room octagonal schoolhouse, a historic cemetery and the public library which hosts free summer concerts on the lawn.
SALE PRICES Between April 9, 2025, and April 8, 2026, there were 219 home sales with a median sale price of $620,000, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 217 home sales with a median sale price of $590,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 63,086
Median age 34.6
Median home value $635,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Brentwood $394.50
School district, graduation rate Brentwood (83%)
Library Brentwood
Transit Suffolk County Transit Routes 4, 5, 7, 11, 58
Sources: 2024 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Suffolk County Transit
ON THE MARKET
$649,000
This $649,000 Brentwood home is completely renovated. Credit: Snap & Listed/Vinny Gonzalez
This completely renovated 1,800-square-foot home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It features hardwood floors, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a new roof, siding and central air and a finished basement with a full bathroom. The fenced-in 0.17-acre property includes an attached one-car garage and a shed. Taxes are $9,640. Katherine Hernandez, Vantage Realty Partners, 516-578-6843.
$589,999
This $589,999 Brentwood home has three bedrooms. Credit: Mandalay Real Estate Media
This updated 1,156-square-foot ranch includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, hardwood floors and a full finished basement. Recent updates include a new roof, heating system, central air, kitchen with stainless steel appliances, oak floors and driveway. The 0.17-acre fenced-in property includes a one-car garage. Taxes are $8,366. Jorge Gonzalez, Real Estate Long Island, 516-514-0040.
RECENTLY SOLD
$845,000
American Boulevard
Style Hi ranch
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3
Built 1978
Lot size 0.27 acre
Taxes $10,346
+/- List price -$5,000
Days on market 66
$639,999
Prospect Drive
Style Exp Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2
Built 1997
Lot size 0.46 acre
Taxes $10,659
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 56
$387,840
Lexington Avenue
Style A-Frame
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1
Built 1960
Lot size 0.45 acre
Taxes $10,293
+/- List price -$172,660
Days on market 160
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 43
Price range $386,000 to $799,000
Tax range $6,385 to $12,773
