Brooklyn officially became part of New York City on January 1, 1898. However, as many Brooklynites will tell you, if that had never happened, Brooklyn would be the fourth-largest city in the nation.
It is the borough of world-class pizza in Midwood, Coney Island's beach and boardwalk and Williamsburg’s hipsters and trust fund artists. It is the borough of Park Slope parents and their nannies, Crown Heights’ West Indian Day Parade and the lighting of the world’s largest menorah. It is Spike Lee’s Bed-Stuy in “Do the Right Thing,” Tony Monero’s Bay Ridge in “Saturday Night Fever,” and The Warriors’ home base. It’s the borough of Walt Whitman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Jay-Z and one of the most famous bridges in the world.
Home to the country’s first “suburb” — Brooklyn Heights — the borough has experienced explosive growth over the past three decades. According to the 2020 census, Brooklyn’s population increased by 230,000 residents since 2010, bringing the total number of residents to 2.7 million. Brooklyn’s increase of 9.4%, was the largest of all of New York City’s boroughs.
But that wasn’t always the case. The opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883 kicked off the first forays into what was, at the time, a largely rural and agrarian borough. The next century would see immigrants from all over the world make their way to Brooklyn for jobs, freedom and safety. Kevina Tidwell, outreach and special collection librarian at the Center for Brooklyn History names Irish, Italians, jews, Chinese, Norwegians, Polish, Germans, Syrians and Lebanese as a few of the populations that came to Brooklyn in the late 19th-and early 20th-century, followed by more to the present day. “It’s layer upon layer of different people,” she says.
“You’ve got neighborhoods that have always had beautiful housing stock, but back in the 70s, 80s and 90s crime rates were higher,” says Bond New York agent Todd Simmons, who lives and works in Brooklyn. Since then, crime rates have dropped and services have caught up. “Now you see celebrities moving into areas like Brooklyn Heights in high numbers, and the reason that’s important to note is because these are individuals who can afford to live anywhere they want to live and that’s Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill. Why? It’s quieter and still has access.”
More and more “regular” citizens crossed the river for a variety of reasons. “There was a Manhattan downtown people used to relish that has become financially unattainable or taken over by a kind of tourist factor that’s less appealing,” says Simmons. In turn, that influx spurred the growth of neighborhoods beyond the popular brownstone-rich areas of commuter-friendly north Brooklyn such as Sunset Park, Flatbush and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. “It’s developed in a way that there are a lot more options for those moving to Brooklyn,” says Robin Lester-Kenton, executive vice president of external affairs at the Center for Brooklyn History.
The historic Cyclone roller coaster dominates Coney Island's skyline.
Park Slope's lively avenues are lined by small businesses.
Photoville brings a diverse selection of photography to the waterfront in DUMBO.
The West Indian Day Parade takes over Eastern Parkway every Labor Day.
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Diverse housing stock with consistent price increases
Brooklyn includes numerous types of housing including 19th-century brownstones, luxury residential towers, large and small co-ops, townhouses, large Victorians and majestic mansions. “One of the most interesting things about Brooklyn is the diversity of architecture,” says Lester-Kenton. “There are places in Brooklyn that look and feel suburban, and not in a bad way.”
Sale prices in the Brooklyn housing market have trended upwards over the past two decades. From 2006 to 2016, prices more than doubled throughout the borough, even with the collapse of the market due to the 2008 financial crisis. That outpaces the overall rise in New York City.
That trend continues: according to the Douglas Elliman, the median sale prices for co-ops, condos and one- to three-family homes in Q3 2024 increased 2.6% year over year, and the median sale price increased to $975,000, the second-highest ever, for the same time period. In Q3, the median sales price for a condo was $999,755, the median sales price for a co-op was $549,000 and the median sales price for single- to three-family homes was $1,177,000, with the final category seeing the largest annual increase of 7%.
Housing in north Brooklyn typically commands the highest prices, with relative affordability found in the central, south and southeast regions, where commutes to Manhattan and access to public transportation may be trickier.
In the past few decades, Williamsburg and DUMBO have seen a dramatic transformation, with an influx of new construction, much of it waterfront towers. A steady increase in prices in north Brooklyn spurred buyers to move deeper into the borough in search of affordability and neighborhoods such as Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Clinton Hill and Gowanus saw an influx of residents and development.
Charming Beaux-Arts townhomes line the streets of Lefferts Gardens.
Many single family homes in Ditmas Park have manicured lawns and detached garages.
Prospect Heights has a mix of prewar buildings and new construction.
Brownstones can be seen throughout Boerum HIll.
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Historic and innovative green spaces throughout the borough
Brooklyn is home to both historic and world-class parks located throughout the borough. The 536-acre Prospect Park opened in 1867. Designed by Olmsted, Vaux & Company, the firm behind Manhattan’s Central Park, Prospect Park draws 8 million visitors annually with features and facilities including playgrounds, athletic fields, hiking and biking trails, ice-skating and roller rinks, a bandshell, open greenspace and year-round programming.
Spanning 1.3 miles along north Brooklyn’s previously industrial waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers views of downtown Manhattan and New York Harbor, as well as facilities including athletic fields, a roller rink, innovative playgrounds, a marina, grass expanses and a restored glass-enclosed carousel. “Brooklyn Bridge Park is transformative on so many levels. It’s had a positive impact on numerous communities,” says Simmons.
Domino Park, named for the sugar refinery that once operated on the site, opened in 2018 along the East River. The five-acre park includes a refinery-themed playground, seasonal skating rink, public art and seating areas. Southeast Brooklyn’s 407-acre Shirley Chisholm Park opened in 2019. Located on Jamaica Bay and rising to 130 feet above sea level, the park contains some of the highest ground in New York City and offers panoramic views including the New York Harbor, the Empire State Building and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The park has 10 miles of biking and hiking trails and a free bike library for visitors.
Brooklyn Bridge Park offers a fantastic view of the East River.
Prospect Park's bike loop gives Windsor Terrace residents a safe and fun place to ride.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk at Domino Park.
Shirley Chisholm State Park's picturesque landscape is an escape from city life in Brooklyn.
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A rich heritage of culture and home to major and minor league teams
Major cultural institutions in Brooklyn include the Brooklyn Museum, which showcases fine and contemporary art; the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a multi-arts center spotlighting progressive works in theater, dance, film and more; and the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden, opened in 1911.
The Mark Morris Dance Center in Fort Greene is home to the Mark Morris Dance Group and St. Ann’s Warehouse in DUMBO stages innovative theatrical and musical works in a restored 1860 tobacco warehouse. Founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the country’s first and features popular permanent exhibits, as well as temporary and visiting shows. Independent art galleries can be found throughout the borough, although the neighborhoods of Bushwick, East Williamsburg , Gowanus and Red Hook contain notable spaces showcasing the work of emerging artists.
The borough’s music venues range in size from small clubs to large arenas. Barclays Center hosts major acts and performances, while mid-size venues such as Brooklyn Steel and Music Hall of Williamsburg host emerging and experimental acts.
Venues such as the Bell House and Littlefield, both in the Gowanus neighborhood, feature an eclectic roster of music, comedy and events. Restored movie palaces Kings Theatre and Brooklyn Paramount showcase live music and events.
Barclays Center is also the home of NBA team the Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA team the New York Liberty. The Brooklyn Cyclones play minor league baseball in Coney Island.
The Brooklyn Museum’s story has always been one of evolution and transformation.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music is a cultural hub in Fort Greene.
Enchanting evening glow at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Lightscape.
Barclays Center is a popular sports and entertainment arena in Prospect Heights.
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Award-winning cuisine, famous pizza and food halls galore
The dining options in Brooklyn are eclectic and vast and available at all price points. “It’s kind of one of the thrills of living here: the chase of the latest gastronomic and mixology spot,” says Lester-Kenton. That encompasses stellar pizza at shops like Midwood’s DiFara or Gravesend ’s L & B Spumoni Gardens, to Michelin-starred establishments including The Four Horsemen in Williamsburg, the neighborhood where brunch is a competitive sport, and Brooklyn Heights ’ Clover Hill.
Brooklyn eating institutions include the more-than-a-century-old Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg, Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery in Fort Greene and The River Cafe in DUMBO.
Smith and Court streets in Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Carroll Gardens are home to a wide variety of casual and upscale restaurants. Sunset Park’s Chinatown serves celebrated dim sum and Japan Village in Industry City is home to several restaurants. Williamsburg and Greenpoint offer a wide selection of fashionable restaurants in spaces cozy and cavernous. The popular seasonal food vendor open-air market Smorgasburg operates weekly in Prospect Park and Marsha P. Johnson Park.
Shopping in Brooklyn can be done at independent designer boutiques, urban malls, vintage shops and big-box stores. Neighborhoods such as Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Fort Greene are home to many small independent businesses selling curated collections of clothes, jewelry, housewares and more. The borough has a robust independent bookstore scene. Fashionable boutiques, design-forward retail and curated vintage shops are plentiful in the neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Greenpoint and DUMBO. Urban malls and shopping complexes offer big-box brands like Target or West Elm and often include food halls, entertainment options and local businesses. Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn’s largest flea market, takes place from April to December on weekends in DUMBO.
Pizzerias are numerous in Bay Ridge with it’s large Italian population.
Radegast Hall in Williamsburg has a sprawling outdoor seating area.
Tripoli in Cobble Hill has excellent day time snacks in a casual setting.
The Brick Art and Gifts is the perfect shop to pick up thoughtful gifts in Prospect Heights.
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Connectivity via subway, bus, highways and bridges
Public transit options are plentiful in Brooklyn. Numerous subway lines service the borough, with the highest concentration of stops in the borough’s northwest section which includes Downtown Brooklyn . The B, D, F, N, R and Q trains run to south and southwest Brooklyn, while the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, G, J, M and Z trains run from west to east in the borough’s northern half. A robust network of bus routes, both local and express, provides connection to subway lines, as well as intra- and interborough travel options. Major roadways include Interstate 278, which runs along Brooklyn’s west side and connects to Queens and Staten Island. The Belt Parkway hugs the borough’s southern border and New York State Route 27 stretches from Park Slope to points east. Travel to Manhattan can be done via the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. NYC Ferry operates numerous stops in Brooklyn that connect to many points on Manhattan’s east side, as well as Queens and Staten Island.
Public, private and charter schools and several universities
The New York City Department of Education oversees Brooklyn public schools. The borough is divided into 12 geographic districts along with two districts for students requiring specialized instruction. All students are zoned for a public elementary school but may attend a school outside their zone if the school can accommodate them. Depending on the district, students may or may not be zoned for a middle school; students rank their choices of schools within their district as well as other citywide options. Students within a district are given preference during admissions. Options outside of the public school system include charter, magnet and private schools.
For grades nine through 12, students choose their top 12 high schools from a pool of hundreds anywhere in the city and are then entered into a lottery (that means it may not be walkable or even in the same borough). However, some high schools do have admission requirements, requiring applicants to meet certain academic standards for admission. Two citywide, specialized public high schools, which must be tested into, are located in the borough, Brooklyn Tech and Brooklyn Latin.
Notable private schools in the borough, many of which serve students from kindergarten to 12th grade include The Packer Collegiate Institute, St. Ann’s School, BASIS Independent, Poly Prep, Brooklyn Friends School and Berkeley Carroll School.
Major universities in Brooklyn include Pratt Institute and Brooklyn College.
Historic Brooklyn College is an educational beacon in East Flatbush.
BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a private school in Red Hook.
The courses at Brooklyn Latin School challenge and encourage students to learn.
The Packer Collegiate Institute serves students from preschool through twelfth grade.
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A significant downward trend in crime
Crime rates in Brooklyn have consistently trended downwards since 1990. According to NYPD data, total crime in north Brooklyn decreased 75% from 1990 to 2023, and total crime in south Brooklyn decreased nearly 83% during the same time period. In both regions, the greatest decreases occurred in grand larceny auto, burglary and robbery.
Several healthcare networks and hospitals throughout the borough
Located in Borough Park and established in 1911, Maimonides Medical Center is the largest hospital in Brooklyn. NYU Langone operates NYU Langone Hospital in Sunset Park, two emergency rooms and in 2023 opened a 165,000-square-foot medical center in Cobble Hill. The Brooklyn Hospital Center operating in Downtown Brooklyn is the oldest hospital in Brooklyn, and New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope operates in collaboration with Weill Cornell and Columbia University. NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health has locations throughout the borough, including Crown Heights, Williamsburg, East New York and Bushwick. Mount Sinai is a community hospital located in Midwood.
Flood and storm surge risk in certain areas
Brooklyn has experienced flooding in recent years. In 2012, the storm surge from Superstorm Sandy caused flooding in several neighborhoods, with Red Hook experiencing the most severe effects. Additional flooded areas include Gowanus, DUMBO, Coney Island, Greenpoint and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In 2023 Tropical Storm Ophelia caused flooding in many of the same areas, as well as Park Slope, Kensington and Flatbush.
In the wake of both incidents, the city and borough have invested significantly in increasing Brooklyn’s climate resiliency and stormwater management infrastructure. These include the Red Hook Coastal Resiliency Project, raising the shoreline in Coney Island to prevent erosion and mitigate tidal flooding from sea level rise, and the construction of two sewage retention tanks in Gowanus.
Investment in historically underserved areas and a boom in Gowanus
The New York State Vital Brooklyn Initiative, launched in 2017, is a community development program investing $1.4 billion in the underserved communities of Central Brooklyn. Projects include the construction of affordable housing, development of healthcare facilities and the creation and revitalization of recreational space.
The formerly primarily industrial neighborhood of Gowanus, home to a namesake canal declared a Superfund site in 2010, was rezoned in 2021. (A $1.6 billion project to clean up the canal is underway.) The rezoning has brought significant development to the area, adding an estimated 30 residential towers and 20,000 new residents over the next decade.
A redevelopment plan is dedicated to support the long-term growth and sustainability in eastern Brooklyn’s neighborhoods of East New York , Cypress Hills , and Ocean Hill . Key goals of the project include the creation of affordable housing and pedestrian-friendly streets, and encouraging economic development in the community. In addition to many affordable housing initiatives, projects include building a new school, park renovations and streetscape improvements.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
