Brentwood is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. It is located in the
East San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 40,007 at the 2000
census, and has continued to grow.
The downtown is centered around the intersection of Oak Street and First Street, just off Highway 4 (Brentwood Blvd). It is
the site of offices, restaurants, a movie theatre and small stores. City Park, City Hall, Brentwood Library and the U. S. Post
Office are located along Oak Street.
Over the past several years a great deal of what could be described as "big-box" retail has been introduced in the area of the
Brentwood/Antioch border on Lone Tree Way, about 3.5 miles from downtown Brentwood.
This includes major tenants such as Kohl's, Trader Joe's,
Home Depot, Lowes, Mervyns, Target, Sports Chalet and
Barnes & Noble.
Although growth rate of single family residential units has been explosive in the last eight years, Brentwood is still known
throughout the Bay Area for its agriculture, primarily its cherries, corn and peaches. Outside of these areas, Brentwood is exclusively sprawling
residential, except for a number of exclusive, irresponsibly well-irrigated golf courses that have
replaced the frequently drought-ridden region's once bucolic landscape of rolling hills, native grasses, oak trees and fruit
orchards.
Geography
Brentwood is located at 37°56′7″N, 121°42′34″W (37.935311,
-121.709536)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 30.2 km? (11.7 mi?). 30.1 km? (11.6 mi?) of it is land
and 0.09% is water.
Education
Brentwood's education is like most others, and has about 7 elementary, middle, and high schools. The city is served by the
Brentwood Union School District, Knightsen School District and the Liberty Union High School District.
Pacific Western University, an unaccredited distance learning institution, was
located in Brentwood from 1977 to 1997.
Los Medanos College operates a satellite facility on Sand Creek Road and Brentwood Blvd. (Highway 4).
Demographics
As of the census GR2 of 2000, there were 40,007 people, 12,723 households, and 10,302 families residing in the town. The
population density was 188.3/km? (487.5/mi?). There were 1,772 housing units at an average density of 74.8/km? (193.6/mi?). The
racial makeup of the town was 75.38% White, 9.40% African American, 0.75% Native American, 6.99% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander,
5.96% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.34% of the population. There
were 23,700 households out of which 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married couples living
together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made
up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and
the average family size was 2.93. In the town the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24,
19.4% from 25 to 44, 33.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100
females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males. The median income for a household in
the town was $84,722, and the median income for a family was $71,893. Males had a median income of $58,059 versus $39,585 for
females. The per capita income for the town was $33,621. About 5.4% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty
line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislature Brentwood is located in the 5th
Senate District, represented by Democrat Mike Machado, and in the 15th
Assembly District, represented by Republican Guy Houston. Federally, Brentwood is
located in California's 11th congressional district, which has
a Cook PVI of R +3[1] and is represented by Democrat Jerry McNerney. McNerney
received a 94% progressive rating from a self-described non-partisan group that provides a
"searchable database of Congressional voting records from a Progressive perspective"[2].
Transportation
Public transportation is very limited, so the principal roads leading into the city are very congested with commuter traffic.
No freeways serve Brentwood directly. Local bus service is provided by Tri Delta Transit company. This company also operates
express bus service to BART stations in Dublin and Bay Point Monday through
Friday, twice a day.
There is no passenger rail service to Brentwood.
Commercial airports serving this area are:
- Oakland International
- San Francisco International
- San Jose (Mineta)
- Sacramento
- Stockton
Other nearby airports serving private aircraft are:
- Byron
- Livermore
- Concord (Buchanan Field)
Agriculture-related Attractions
- The Brentwood "Cornfest" occurs one weekend in July each year, culminating in a concert that includes at least one aging
has-been pop/rock band. Past performers include Eddie Money and an animal-less Eric Burdon.
- Numerous local farms operate produce stands or offer "U-Pick" opportunities. Consult local media for dates by specific
crops.
- A Farmer's Market is held on First Street in downtown Brentwood on Saturdays during the summer.
Points of Interest
- East County Historical Society
- John Marsh House
- Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Communities
- Apple Hill
- Deer Ridge
- Dream Catcher Ridge
- Garin Ranch
- Havenwood Village
- Meridian Pointe
- Monte Verde
- Laurelwood Estates
- Parkside Brentwood
- Ponderosa Crossroads
- Shadow Lakes
- Sterling Preserve
- Visions (of Brentwood)
- Grant Street Projects
- Arroyo Secco (founding place of L.R.H.)
- Brentwood Park
- Rose Garden
- Lyon Grove
- Sycamore Square
External links
Coordinates:
37.935311° N 121.709536°
W
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