Brookston was platted in 1853, and named for James Brooks, a railroad official. The Brookston post office has been in operation since it was first platted.
Geography
Brookston is located at . According to the 2010 census, the town has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,554 people, 624 households, and 430 families living in the town. The population density was. There were 695 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the town was 98.0% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population. There were 624 households, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couplesliving together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age in the town was 37.6 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,717 people, 691 households, and 503 families living in the town. The population density was 2,895.8 people per square mile. There were 723 housing units at an average density of 1,219.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 98.89% White, 0.06% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population. There were 691 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.91. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $41,422, and the median income for a family was $47,011. Males had a median income of $35,645 versus $22,891 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,291. About 4.0% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Since 1978 the town has held an annual Brookston Apple Popcorn Festival, on the third Saturday in September. The festival features food and cakes, musical entertainment, contests, races, vendor booths and yard sales. Brookston is also home to Jim Riley, whose agriculture market commentary is featured daily on the "Hoosier Ag Today" program broadcast on many local radio stations in Indiana.
