Brookville is seeing major growth while keeping a close community
In 1844, Brookville was founded as an agricultural hub, and its rural location surrounded by farmland suggests that the community remains a tiny farming town to this day. In reality, Brookville has grown substantially in recent years. Industries have expanded within the community, and residential construction is on the rise. Quick interstate access keeps people connected to larger cities without spiking traffic in town. Overall, the community welcomes new opportunities while simultaneously preserving its small-town atmosphere. “Events and community involvement have made it a very tightknit,” says Sharon Isbell, a 20-year resident and administrative assistant for the Brookville Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s not hard to get involved in something that you’re passionate about.”
The city has historic neighborhoods and several new subdivisions
Brookville welcomed five new subdivisions in 2024, with a few still under construction in 2025. Each offers contemporary single-family homes, except for Meadowlark, which has townhomes. Neighborhoods near the city’s core have smaller lots, but homes have unique historical architecture dating back to the 1900s. Away from downtown, ranch-style and New Traditional houses offer sprawling grass lawns on wide, sidewalked roads. The city’s median home price is around $295,000, less than the national median of about $420,000. However, new construction prices typically start at $290,000 and cost as much as $435,000.
Retail hubs and industrial zones bring local flavor and job growth
The city has two commercial clusters. Arlington Road has fast-food chains, the Brookville Community Theatre and Rob’s Restaurant, a family-run buffet. Brookville Grille and Hip-Stirs Coffee House are particularly busy around breakfast and lunch. McMaken’s IGA Brookville is the city’s main supermarket. Downtown Brookville offers various boutiques, locally owned restaurants and historical buildings.
A sizable industrial district on the east side of townhouses several manufacturers and warehouses. Near the Interstate 70 highway exit, an expanded General Motors DMAX plant is being constructed. “GM is bringing in a lot of jobs,” Isbell says. “Still, since we’re right on Interstate 70, some people commute to Dayton . We have a lot of Wright-Patterson military personnel and civilian employees.”
Community spaces, Wolf Creek trails and a state park anchor recreation
Golden Gate Park is Brookville’s largest green space. It has a wooden castle-themed playground, several baseball fields and a peewee football field. Westbrook and Ward parks have other playgrounds and athletic fields, while Gateway Park has a veterans and fire responders memorial. The roughly 18-mile-long Wolf Creek Recreational Trail passes through the city. Sycamore State Park, about 4 miles away, offers multi-use trails, campsites, fishing areas and an archery range.
Wolf Creek winds through the city. Isbell says the city recently cleared debris and widened portions of the creek to proactively prevent flooding. “It very rarely floods its banks, though,” she says. “I don’t even remember the last time it did.”
Summer picnics and winter celebrations are community traditions
The Brookville Community Picnic has been a major summer event for the past 70 years. Neighbors come together to enjoy live music, participate in a baking contest, watch talent acts and explore a vendor fair. Around Halloween, goblins and ghouls come out for Ghostly Night Out, which features a haunted trail, hayrides and a costume contest. Winter celebrations include a downtown tree lighting and glowing displays at Golden Gate Park. Santa Claus also visits to have breakfast, cookies and cocoa with local families.
Minimal traffic in town, easy interstate access to big cities
Inside the community, traffic stays low, even on main roads. “ Englewood and Huber Heights have the larger stores, but every time I have to go there, I’m like, ‘Good golly, take me back to Brookville!’ I’ll take our two stop lights over their traffic,” Isbell says. Regardless, Interstate 70 creates strong connectivity between Brookville and larger cities like Dayton, roughly 20 miles away. The interstate also leads to Miami Valley Hospital North Campus and Dayton International Airport within 14 miles.
Brookville schools are centralized on one campus
Students attend Brookville Local Schools, which has a B-plus rating from Niche. The district’s three schools are along Blue Pride Drive, and Brookville Intermediate and High share one building.
