Overview

Introduction to Brookline, Massachusetts

Brookline, Massachusetts, in Norfolk county, is 3 miles SW of Boston, Massachusetts. The town includes numerous distinct neighborhoods and areas. It's also known for upscale stores and village pubs and numerous large estates. It's bordered on three sides by the city of Boston and is regarded as a commuter suburb. Brookline includes a large number of Russian immigrants and a prominent Jewish culture.

The town is home to a large number of professionals and academics and is known for its liberalism. It features one of the oldest country clubs in the United States. The community is recognized for having excellent schools. President John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline.

Brookline History

The first European settlements were established during the early 1600's and the area was known as the Hamlet of Muddy River. In 1705 it was incorporated as Brookline. The name was given due to the brooks that established the town borders with the former towns of Roxbury and Brighton which are now included in the city of Boston. Throughout the years, the citizens of Brookline have refused to let their town become part of Boston. The Brookline-Boston annexation debate of 1873 resulted in the city keeping its independence from Boston.

The railroad arrived during the middle of the 19th century. A large portion of the city was developed as a streetcar suburb which included numerous apartment buildings made from bricks. During the 19th century the town was popular for summer homes for Boston's wealthy citizens.

Brookline Attractions

  • The Edward Devotion House is regarded as one of the oldest colonial buildings in the city
  • The Country Club is an exclusive sporting club and features a well known golf course and has hosted the U.S. Open on several occasions
  • Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
  • Larz Anderson Park features the Larz Anderson Auto Museum and a one-room school house from the colonial era
  • The John F. Kennedy National Historic site was the birthplace of President Kennedy. It features household furnishings, numerous photographs and a variety of mementos
  • St. Aidan's Church is the location where John F. Kennedy was Christened and the Kennedy family were parishioners. The church has been closed
  • Coolidge Corner is a popular retail area which includes cafes and theaters and features the historic S.S. Pierce Building as well as the Coolidge Corner Theatre
  • The Longyear Museum features exhibits on the life of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science.
  • Brookline Village is an historic area and includes numerous restaurants
  • Washington Square includes notable restaurants and taverns
  • Matt Murphy's Pub is regarded as one of the best Irish pubs in the area

Brookline Activities

The town includes numerous parks. The Larz Anderson Park includes an outdoor skating rink and is popular for sledding. Residents enjoy the entertainment and professional sports located in the Boston area.

Higher Education

The city is home to New England Institute of Art, Pine Manor College and parts of Boston University.

Brookline Transportation

The city is served by the Logan International Airport located in Boston. The city includes light rail service.

Demographics

People

Total Population59,234
Male Share of the Population46.8%
Female Share of the Population53.2%
Senior Citizens15.9%
Employed Population 16+32,404
Age of the Population34

Families

% of people married47%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher75.3%
Median Earnings25+$70,022
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$27,308
Median Earnings With High School Degree$34,375

Wealth

Median Family Income$152,493
% Above Poverty Level88.1%
% Below Poverty Level11.9%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time29 minutes
% Working from Home7%
% Walking and Biking to Work22.5%
% Using Public Transportation30.2%

Housing

People Living Alone30.9%
Median Gross Rent$2,194
Median House Value$885,700

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)39%
Irish10.3%
Italian7.5%
German7.1%
English6.1%
Russian5.4%
Polish3.2%
Scottish2.2%
Arab2.2%
French Except Basque2.1%
African1.1%
Israeli1%
Swedish1%
Greek1%
Hungarian0.9%
Dutch0.9%
Turkish0.8%
Canadian0.8%
Lithuanian0.8%
Ukrainian0.7%
Iranian0.7%
Austrian0.6%
Norwegian0.6%
Portuguese0.5%
Lebanese0.5%
Danishn0.4%
West Indian0.4%
Bulgarian0.4%
Brazilian0.4%
Cape Verdean0.3%
Czech0.3%
Swiss0.3%
Welsh0.3%
Jamaican0.3%
Serbian0.3%
US/American0.2%
Egyptian0.2%
Palestinian0.2%
Latvian0.2%
Romanian0.2%
Australian0.2%
Iraqi0.1%
Haitian0.1%
Moroccan0.1%
Belgian0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Syrian0.1%
Slovak0.1%
Ghanaian0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
South African0.1%
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Brookline Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyNorfolk County
Standard Zip Codes02445, 02446
Phone Area Codes6,17,857
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude42.32
Approximate Longitude-71.14

Brookline Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationBOSTON LOGAN INTL AP
Distance5.9 miles
Jan Temp22 to 37 F
Apr Temp41 to 56 F
Jul Temp66 to 82 F
Oct Temp46 to 62 F
Annual Precip42.5 inches
StationBLUE HILL OBS MILTON
Distance8 miles
Jan Temp18 to 34 F
Apr Temp37 to 56 F
Jul Temp62 to 81 F
Oct Temp43 to 60 F
Annual Precip51.1 inches
StationHINGHAM
Distance12.5 miles
Jan Temp20 to 37 F
Apr Temp38 to 57 F
Jul Temp62 to 81 F
Oct Temp42 to 62 F
Annual Precip49.8 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Belmont26,043$154,968
Boston679,413$75,476
Cambridge115,665$126,260
Newton88,660$182,139
Somerville80,434$103,953

Brookline Public Libraries

Brookline Public Library
361 WASHINGTON ST.
Brookline, Massachusetts
(617) 730-2360

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More Information for Librarians

Brookline Public Schools

Brookline Early Education Program At Beacon
115 Greenough Street, Room 109b
ZIP: 2445
(617) 713-5471
Primary
Total Enrollment 62
Brookline High
115 Greenough Street
ZIP: 2445
(617) 713-5003
High
Total Enrollment 1905
John D Runkle
50 Druce Street
ZIP: 2445
(617) 879-4650
Primary
Total Enrollment 573
The Lynch Center
599 Brookline Avenue
ZIP: 2445
(617) 713-5472
Primary
Total Enrollment 63
William H Lincoln
19 Kennard Rd
ZIP: 2445
(617) 879-4600
Primary
Total Enrollment 571
Edward Devotion
345 Harvard Street
ZIP: 2446
(617) 879-4400
Primary
Total Enrollment 813
Lawrence
27 Francis Street
ZIP: 2446
(617) 879-4300
Primary
Total Enrollment 673
Michael Driscoll
64 Westbourne Ter
ZIP: 2446
(617) 879-4250
Primary
Total Enrollment 588
Pierce
50 School Street
ZIP: 2446
(617) 730-2580
Primary
Total Enrollment 815

Brookline Private Schools

Apple Orchard School
282d Newton St
ZIP: 2445
Elementary
Total Enrollment 14
Dexter School
20 Newton St
ZIP: 2445
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 407
Maimonides School
34 Philbrick Rd
ZIP: 2445
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 531
St Mary Of The Assumption Elementary School
67 Harvard St
ZIP: 2445
Elementary
Total Enrollment 175
The Park School
171 Goddard Ave
ZIP: 2445
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 537
Torah Academy
11 Williston Rd
ZIP: 2445
Elementary
Total Enrollment 181
Bay Cove Academy
156 Lawton St
ZIP: 2446
Secondary
Total Enrollment 23
Ivy Street School
200 Ivy St
ZIP: 2446
Secondary
Total Enrollment 10
Meridian Academy
1187 Beacon St
ZIP: 2446
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 34
New England Hebrew Academy
9 Prescott St
ZIP: 2446
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 207
Sources :
Additional Details
Brookline Colleges
Brookline colleges and trade schools.
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Historic Brookline

photo

Home of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy between 1900 and 1910

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Home of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy between 1900 and 1910

Home of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy between 1908 and 1910

Along the River Way (Longwood) between 1900 and 1901

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