This article is about the Brentwood neighborhood in Austin, Texas, United States.

Located in Central Austin, Brentwood is bordered by Burnet Road on the West, Lamar Blvd. on the East, 45th Street to the South, and Justin Lane to the North. The area's ZIP code is 78756 and 78757. The neighborhood is comprised primariliy of of university professors, students, politicians, engineers, and high-tech workers. An easy 15 minute commute to the City's largest employer- The University of Texas at Austin- and an equally short drive to the Pickle Center, or downtown Austin, Brentwood attracts mostly professionals and students in the 25-44 years of age group. The mean travel time to work for residents whom work outside the home is an average 17.5 minute commute to work according to the 2000 Census . Over 75% of all residents work outside the home.

History

The area that is now Brentwood was a cotton farm until the City annexed the Brentwood neighborhood and purchased the land next to Brentwood Elementary to establish the Brentwood neighborhood park. That same year, Brentwood Elementary opened its doors for the 1951-1952 School year.

Local traditions include the Violet Crown Festival, each year on the lawn of the Brentwood Park, and the annual decoration of the canal along Arroyo Seco with holiday lights called luminarias.

Environment

Brentwood is divided by a wide median creek on which stand many large trees on Arroyo Seco. The trees were planted in February 1993 through a Planting for the Future Fund, a special fund of the Texas Parks and Recreation Department. The 150 trees planted along Arroyo Seco were partially funded by customer contributions to the Austin Energy Planting for the Future Fund.

Neighborhoods

Crestiew, Allendale, Highland

Transportation

Major thoroughfares include Koenig Lane, Lamar Blvd., Burnet Road, and Highway 183 to the North. Brentwood is also situated close to the Guadalupe main thoroughfare to the University of Texas at Austin

Only 5% of Brentwood residents work outside Travis County, the average drive-time to work for residents who work outside the home is 17.5 minutes, 10% of residents carpool, and 5% use public transportation. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 3)

Future goals include investigating a pedestrian and bike route along Arroyo Seco. Possible plans may include a route under Koenig to allow the Southern end of the Brentwood neighborhood access to the Brentwood Park without having to cross Koenig Lane during heavy traffic periods. Other possible bike and pedestrian options may evaluate closing one side of Arroyo Seco. Since Arroyo Seco is wide enough to allow two lane traffic on one side, the other side of the street may be made into public open space inlcuding a hike and bike trail.

Politics

Brentwood has remained a liberal, eclectic neighborhood. In general, the area strongly Democratic and Green Party, with the occasional libertarian.

Demographics

According to the 2000 census-year 86% of the Brentwood population was over the age of 18. A large majority, 45% of the neighborhod's residents, are from 25 to 44 years of age. Only 14% of the Brentwood population are under the age of 17, while only 17% of the population is over the age of 65. Further, 50% of the homes occupied in Brentwood are one-person households.

The median family income, according to the 2000 census was $42,616. Due to the rising costs of housing, averaging a 10% increase per year, the median family income is likely to double in the next census. The average household size as of the 2000 census is 1.9 in the Brentwood neighborhood.

Just over 20% of Brentwood's total population are Hispanic or Latino, while 74% of Brentwood's population are White, 1.8% are Asian and 2.3% are Black or African American.. (U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 1, Matrix P8)

As of the 2000 census, among people over age 25, approximately 57% have a Bachelors degree or higher, while 28% percent are currently enrolled in graduate school.

Housing

As of 2000, there were just over 4,275 housing units in Brentwood. Most Brentwood residents reside in single-family homes, many of which—while seemingly modest in style, square footage and lot size—would rarely sell for less than $220,000 due to the area's high housing costs. There are also large, modern apartment complexes and condominiums located on most of district's primary and secondary thoroughfares, many of which are home to young professionals and students attending nearby UT-Austin. The average monthly cost of a mortgaged home in Brentwood was $1,300/mo in the 2000 Census.

According to the Austin Central Texas Realty Information Service (ACTRIS), the average price of a single-family home in Brentwood as of 2003 was $171,084. Brentwood has seen a dramatic increase in housing prices since 2000, after the Austin-Bergstrom Airport was relocated, making Brentwood outside of the Austin International Airport's flightpath.

Since 2000, Brentwood housing prices have seen a dramatic yearly increase according to (ACTRIS):

2003: 29% increase

2002: 17% increase

2001: 4% increase

A search of the MLS for Brentwood homes (partial MLS areas 2 and 1B), reveal house prices ranging from $385,000-$189,000. The lower end of the price range display homes needing some repair, investor deals, or containing window units rather than central air. This is according to an Austin Home Search for Brentwood homes conducted in July 2006.

July 2006 sample homes for sale:

1200 Choquette, recent remodel, 2007 sqft, 3-2, $385,000

1004 Karen, window units, 1008 sqft, 3-1, $189,000

Pictures of Homes in Brentwood:

File:Brentwoodhome 2.jpg File:Brentwoodhome 1.jpg

Recreation

Popular recreational spots include the Brentwood Farmers Market, an early farmer's market complex built in 1947; the Crestview Village, a small shopping district near the intersection of Justin and Grover; and more recently, Brentwood Tavern, a "village commons".

Public open space includes Brentwood Park, spanning just over nine acres, with tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds and a playscape. Future plans for the neighborhood include researching locations to open a neighborhood dog park. Only 1% of the Brentwood neighborhood is public open space, much lower than the urban cores average 5% per neighborhood designated open space.

Homegrown businesses

Brentwood is most famous for its native old-fashioned bars and hamburger joints dating back to the 1950's.

Brentwood has prosperous local businesses including the Night Hawk Frisco Shop around since 1953 (amazing Frisco Hamburgers and Ice Box Pie) , Dans Hamburgers, around since 1973 when Dan's morphed into separate Dan's and Fran's restaurants (amazing Hamburgers , shakes, and a must-have Cinammon roll), La Victoria Bakery, traditional Mexican Bakery (the only place to get pan de muerto and delicious pink cake if you want the real thing), Threadgills around since 1933, famous for frequent appearances by Janis Joplin at the original location here in Brentwood, Brentwood Farmer's Market, currently being sold (July 2006) to a development company, around since the early 1950's, and more recently, the Brentwood Tavern where neighborhood happy hours are held, Ace hardware store, where they can help you with any project if you flash a nice smile and courteous appreciation, Karavel Shoes, around since 1960 at their current location, Billys, a self-acclaimed neighborhood beer and hamburger joint, Amys Ice Cream, a most recent addition in 2006, and Waterloo Ice House, further up Burnet Road, but still close enough to call a neighborhood spot.

Local pubs include Little Ginnys, where you can play Sunday night Chicken Shit, the Poodle Dog Lounge, and LaLas, where it is always Christmas time.

Just up Lamar is a fabulous Korean Market, with a great selection of Korean Sake and friendly owners willing to share their knowledge. A traditional Korean Grocery store and Karoake Bar, where you can bring your own beer/wine/liquour. A must try.

Education

School assignments for residents of Brentwood with children attending the Austin Independent School District include:

Brentwood Elementary

6700 Arroyo Seco, Austin, TX 78757

grades: Kindergarten – 5th, principal: Katherine Williams-Carter, phone: (512) 414-2039

Lamar Middle School

6201 Wynona, Austin, TX 78757

grades: 6th – 8th, principal: Mike Atchley, phone: (512) 414-3217

McCallum High School

5600 Sunshine Dr, Austin, TX 78756

Brentwood is also home to several private schools, including:

Brentwood Christian School, 11908 N. Lamar Blvd., 835-5983. K-12., Church of Christ

Petite Ecole Internationale, 1406 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, Tx 78756, Phone: 512-302-3180

The Oakmont School, 1510 Morrow Street, Austin, Texas 78757, Phone: 512-420-9300

CS Lewis Hall, 708 51st St. , 413-4260. K-12. , Nondenominational.

Northwest Montessori House of Children,1903 W. Koenig Lane. , 451-6134., 18 months-6 years

Paragon Preparatory , 2001 W. Koenig Lane., 459-5040. 5-8. ,

Shoreline Christian School, 15201 Burnet Road. , 310-7358., PreK-10. Nondenominational.

Notable residents

Perhaps the most infamous resident to ever enjoy a Gin and Tonic at Threadgills and Little Ginny's Saloon was Janis Joplin.

Zoning Regulations

In 2006, the hot topic for zoning was the curtailment of McMansions, and large 3 story duplexes with straight walls jetting 30 feet into the air facing the street. Outcries from area residents primarily in single-family one story homes caused the City to put a moratorium on building, and eventually led to new building restrictions. Duplexes must now only build one structure per lot and must share a common wall, rather than just a carport. Additional size criteria and impervious cover restrictions now in place will help to ensure the area remains populated with single-family residences focusing on livable spaces, rather than the most bang for the buck. The new building restrictions signal the end to buy-outs of homes to manufacture cheap 3-story units looming over adjacent one-story 1950s homes. The style, feel, design, and aesthetics of this quaint, friendly community have prevailed.