Brookhaven: Rural roots, little development, bucolic atmosphere draw buyers
Robinson Duck Farm Dog Park is a favorite for enjoying the outdoors in Brookhaven. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
THE SCOOP Not to be confused with Brookhaven township, the hamlet of Brookhaven is a tiny community of just under 3,500 residents.
"It's an incredibly special place to live. We're all about community building here," said Julia Villacara, president of the Brookhaven Village Association, which hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt in spring and Christmas caroling on Sundays in December.
The civic was founded over a century ago by the Post-Morrow family, philanthropists/conservationists who wanted to make life enjoyable for people moving there from New York City, said Villacara, who grew up in the hamlet and moved back about 11 years ago. "This was all very rural."
The area near Shields Court and Bellhaven Road overlooks the water on Brookhaven's south side. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The hamlet is still rather rural, with numerous nature trails, including parcels of land purchased for preservation by the Post-Morrow Foundation. They include Beaver Dam Creek, which feeds into the Great South Bay, and Carmans River.
"This is part of what the Brookhaven Village Association's history is: preserving the land, keeping development out as much as possible," Villacara said, adding that a section of the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is part of the hamlet. "One of our values is to coexist with nature here."
Surrounded by water on its southeastern and southern borders, the hamlet attracts many commercial fishermen and is home to the 13-acre Squassux Landing — gifted by the Morrow family in 1945 and operated by the civic — which features a marina and kayak launch.
For much of the 19th century, Brookhaven was known as "Fireplace," named for the historic practice by Native Americans of keeping glowing beach fires to illuminate the shoreline for boats coming into Bellport.
A big agricultural community, the hamlet is home to HOG (Hamlet Organic Garden) Farm, which is now a source of food for dozens of Long Island and city restaurants. Mama Farm, a 28-acre farm belonging to actress Isabella Rossellini, also houses Early Girl Farm, a B&B and event space.
The hamlet is a great place to live, notes Town of Brookhaven Councilman Michael Loguercio.
"It's a bucolic atmosphere where people can walk to these beautiful wetlands right up to the Village of Bellport," Loguercio said. "There are many artists that live there; you have some celebrities. There's not a lot of commercial development, which gives it its charm."
Homes along Central Woods Lane at Sands Lane in Brookhaven. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
SALE PRICES Between March 3, 2025, and March 2, 2026, there were 34 home sales with a median sale price of $685,000, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 25 home sales with a median sale price of $577,500.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There is one co-op, priced at $199,900, on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 2,858
Median age 49.9
Median home value $685,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Bellport $452
School district, graduation rate South Country (91%)
Library South Country
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 66
ON THE MARKET
$1.737 million
This $1.737 million Brookhaven home has a ship-inspired kitchen. Credit: RealMart Realty
This renovated 2,623-square-foot Colonial features five bedrooms and three bathrooms. It has hardwood floors, a ship-inspired kitchen and screened-in porch, plus updated windows, oil burner and tank. The 1.1-acre property has a pool, generator, detached two-car garage and shed. Taxes are $16,473. Qizhan "Jack" Yao, RealMart Realty, 888-362-6543.
$799,000
This $799,000 Brookhaven home is 2,111 square feet. Credit: Rice Realty Group
This four-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape is 2,111 square feet and features an open concept kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a full basement. The 0.5-acre fenced-in property includes an attached, heated two-car garage and shed. Taxes are $14,771. A sale is pending. Jim Feren, Rice Realty Group, 631-624-1200.
$549,000
This $549,000 Brookhaven home has three bedrooms. Credit: Matthew P. Jensen
This 1,056-square-foot home features three bedrooms and one bathroom. It has an open-concept living area, a chef's kitchen with floor-to-ceiling custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Upgrades include oak floors, LED fixtures, split A/C units, electrical heating and plumbing systems. There is a small shed on the 0.25-acre fenced-in property. Taxes are $8,715. Edwin Murillo and Emmanuel Canas, Best Solutions Realty, 718-406-9325.
ON THE MARKET
$1.05 million
Stillwood Road
Style Contemporary
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3½
Built 1968
Lot size 3.19 acres
Taxes $20,248
+/- List price -$550,000
Days on market 274
$980,000
Stillwood Road
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3½
Built 1968
Lot size 1.76 acre
Taxes $18,462
+/- List price -$220,000
Days on market 243
$460,000
Montauk Highway
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1
Built 1970
Lot size 0.41 acre
Taxes $8,385
+/- List price -$35,000
Days on market 83
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 15
Price range $199,900 to $2.749 million
Tax range $5,952 to $16,473
