Brentwood, Maryland

19th century

The town was originally incorporated in 1922 and is named after the Brentwood estate built in 1817 by Robert Brent in Northeast Washington, D.C.^[6] The town was developed beginning in the 1890s around the Highland Station of the Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Columbia and Maryland Railway. Brentwood was created by Wallace A. Bartlett, a Civil War veteran, former foreman for the Government Printing Office, Patent Office examiner, and inventor originally from Warsaw, New York. Captain Bartlett lived in Washington, D.C., until 1887, when he purchased 206 acres (0.83 km²) of farmland from Benjamin Holliday, which abutted the Highland subdivision. Bartlett built a farmhouse for his family on the land and, with two partners J. Lee Adams and Samuel J. Mills, formed the Holladay Land and Improvement Company.^[7][8][9] Captain Bartlett died in 1908.^[6]

In 1891, the Company platted a residential subdivision called "Holladay Company's Addition to Highland" on 80 acres (320,000 m²) of the Bartlett Farm. The lots were approximately 40 feet (12 m) by 100 feet (30 m) and were arranged around an irregular grid of streets. The lots in the northern part of the subdivision, which eventually would become North Brentwood, were smaller and were subject to flooding from a mill race. These lots were less expensive, and Bartlett encouraged their purchase by African-American families with whom he was indirectly associated from his command of U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War. The more expensive lots to the south were purchased by white working-class families, many of whom were employed as federal government clerks. Seven additional houses were built by 1896. In 1899 Bartlett purchased the Fenwick family farm which was located to the west of the Holladay Company's Addition to Highland. With two new partners, J. Baker and Dr. Sigmund A. Czarra, Bartlett began the Brentwood Company. The 95-acre (380,000 m²) area was surveyed and platted in 1899.^[10] The Holladay Addition homes represented a typical cross-section of housing styles popular in the late-19th century, including I-houses, vernacular houses with Queen Anne detailing, four-squares, and front-gable houses.^[10]

20th century

The community continued to grow in the early 20th century. A school was built, and the Brentwood Citizens' Association formed in 1903, a Methodist church was constructed in 1904, a fire department was started in 1905, and was formed in 1903. Kerosene street lamps were added in 1917, and electric lights were installed in 1920. When incorporated, the town included the southerly part of the Holladay Addition, the Brentwood Company subdivision, and two smaller additions.^[9] The houses built during this time consisted of small frame bungalows. Growth continued through the 1940s and 1950s, fueled by an influx of government workers. In the 1950s, many older homes were replaced and empty lots were filled with small cottages and ranch-style houses.^[10]

The majority of homes in Brentwood were built during and after World War II; young people coming to Washington, D.C., to support the war effort found a quiet place to raise their families. There are two small service-oriented commercial areas. A focal point is Bartlett Park named for Captain Bartlett who deeded the land to the town. The park is home to the Wohlfarth Building, which serves as the Town Hall.^[6]

21st century

In 2024, Brentwood demolished its sundown town-era metal barrier erected in 1957 to separate the majority-white Brentwood from the historically Black town of North Brentwood.^[11]

2020 census

2010 census

As of the census^[17] of 2010, there were 3,046 people, 933 households, and 624 families residing in the town. The population density was 8,015.8 inhabitants per square mile (3,094.9/km²). There were 1,046 housing units at an average density of 2,752.6 per square mile (1,062.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 25.9% White, 38.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 27.7% from other races, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 45.3% of the population.

There were 933 households, of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 11.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.26 and the average family size was 3.78.

The median age in the town was 32.8 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.4% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.6% male and 49.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[18] of 2000, there were 2,844 people, 905 households, and 636 families residing in the town. The population density was 7,511.0 inhabitants per square mile (2,900.0/km²). There were 971 housing units at an average density of 2,564.4 per square mile (990.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 28.62% White, 49.75% African American, 0.42% Native American, 2.11% Asian, 15.05% from other races, and 4.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.63% of the population.

There were 905 households, out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 23.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.68.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,427, and the median income for a family was $45,244. Males had a median income of $28,563 versus $27,694 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,700. About 9.8% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.