First a part of Dunstable, Massachusetts, then settled as West Hollis, New Hampshire, the town was granted in 1769 as "Raby". New Hampshire GovernorJohn Wentworth named it after his cousin, the 4th Earl of Strafford and Baron of Raby Castle. The town was renamed in 1798 at the suggestion of a leading citizen in town originally from Brookline, Massachusetts. By 1859, when the population was 718, there were eight sawmills and one gristmill, as well as a sash and blind shop. In the earlier days of the town, Brookline was known throughout southern New Hampshire for producing lumber, charcoal and casks. The Boston and Maine Railroad eventually branched into Brookline in 1892. The train station that served Brookline during the railroad's tenure in the town has since been renovated into a private residential home. A large fraction of the area that was once railroad track is now New Hampshire Route 13. The town received national attention in 1997, when people participating in the traditional ringing of the Congregational Church bell at midnight on the Fourth of July were arrested. Several prominent members of the community were among those arrested, including Road Agent Clarence Farwell and his wife. The incident led to an investigation of the Brookline police department after questions of excessive force were raised following the arrests.
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,181 people, 1,343 households, and 1,146 families residing in the town. The population density was 211.5 people per square mile. There were 1,384 housing units at an average density of 70.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.87% White, 0.14% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population. There were 1,343 households out of which 51.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.7% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.6% were non-families. 10.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.36. In the town, the population was spread out with 33.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $77,075, and the median income for a family was $80,214. Males had a median income of $55,417 versus $32,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,272. About 0.9% of families and 0.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Education
Brookline is home to a thriving K-6 grade school system. Richard Maghakian Memorial School, an elementary school for grades K-3, and Captain Samuel Douglass Academy, which caters to children in grades 4-6, strive to provide a traditional education for its students focusing on STEM and the Arts to provide solidly based education. Brookline is part of a cooperative school district with the neighboring town of Hollis, sharing a middle and high school Cooperative district with the neighboring town of Hollis.
Economic development
The Brookline selectboard chartered the town's Economic Development Committee to "promote balanced, long-term economic development, which reflects and enhances the character of the community." The EDC publishes a newsletter three or four times a year to promote local businesses.
Community events
Two major community events take place in Brookline: the winter Chowder/Soup/Chili Cook-Off and the early-fall Bridal Show. Hundreds of New England residents have attended these two events.
Town newspaper
The Brookliner has been published biweekly since 1966.
Churches
In 1951 the Church of Christ was formed by the unification of the Congregational and Methodist churches of Brookline. It was renamed the Brookline Community Church in 2005 and is affiliated with both the UCC and UMC conferences.
