Brentwood is a small town in Rockingham County with a population of about 4,600 residents. The community centers around Swasey Central School, which serves local elementary students before they transition to the Exeter Region Cooperative School District for middle and high school. The town maintains its own recreation department and operates with typical New England town governance. The area offers a rural residential setting within reasonable driving distance of the seacoast region's employment centers. Residents here tend to value the smaller town atmosphere while maintaining access to larger communities nearby. Most daily needs require a short drive to neighboring towns, as Brentwood itself has limited commercial development.

Why Brentwood?

Part of well-regarded Exeter Region Cooperative School District
Rural setting with reasonable access to seacoast employment
Small town governance and community scale
Lower population density than many Rockingham County towns
Active town recreation department programming

Quick Facts

Population

4,578

County

Rockingham

Region

Seacoast

School District

SAU 16

Weather in Brentwood

74°F

Clear

Today

89 / 72

Fri

85 / 70

Sat

83 / 66

Map

Living in Brentwood

What you need to know about making Brentwood your home.

Major Employers

Town of BrentwoodSwasey Central SchoolBrentwood Recreation Department

Schools & Education

Brentwood is part of the Exeter Region Cooperative School District (SAU 16).

Cost of Living

Housing costs reflect typical Rockingham County pricing, with property taxes in the moderate range for New Hampshire (est.). The rural setting may offer somewhat more affordable options than closer-in seacoast communities.

Real Estate

$485,000 (est.) median home price

$22.50 per $1,000 (est.) property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Brentwood

Commute Times

1 hr 15 min

Boston

15 min

Exeter

50 min

Concord

45 min

Manchester

25 min

Portsmouth

School District

Regional district

Exeter Region Cooperative School District(SAU 16)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Exeter.

Brentwood serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

District towns

Exeter Stratham Newfields East Kingston Kensington

Brentwood local school (Exeter Region Cooperative School District)

PreK-12Elementary

Regional high school (in Exeter) via Exeter Region Cooperative School DistrictBlue Hawks

PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Brentwood

Beyond the well-known attractions, Brentwood has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Apple Annie's Orchard

fall

A small family orchard with just 270 trees tucked away on Rowell Road East, where the crunch of leaves underfoot mingles with the scent of fresh apple cider donuts. The low-spray orchard encourages visitors to linger, picnic among the trees, and is greeted by Spirit, a friendly Golden Retriever who roams the grounds. Unlike commercial pick-your-own operations, this feels like visiting a neighbor's backyard.

Historic J. Thing Tavern Site (154 Pickpocket Road)

year-round

The remnants of what was once the J. Thing Tavern on 'the Avenue' - the main thoroughfare from Brentwood to Exeter in the mid-1700s. Later known as the Pickpocket-Rowell Road House in the 1800s, this historic colonial still stands as a private residence, representing a tangible link to when this scenic road was the region's main artery. The building is a rare blend of 1738 and 1790 colonial architecture.

Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area

spring

A hidden world of constructed wetlands and marshes built from former gravel pits after Route 101's construction in the 1990s. The 3.3-mile loop trail winds through tall grasses that can reach seven feet high, past ponds where Great Blue Herons nest in a 16-nest rookery. One section of trail is perpetually flooded several inches deep, requiring waterproof boots and adding to the adventure.

Great Hill Summit

year-round

Brentwood's highest point at 275 feet above sea level offers surprising views for such a modest elevation. Located in the town's southeastern corner, this gentle rise provides a quiet escape with panoramic vistas that locals treasure for watching sunsets over the rural landscape. The hill sits where ancient Native American trails once converged, adding historical significance to its natural beauty.