Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY
About Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Tucked away between Red Hook and Downtown Brooklyn, historic Carroll Gardens boasts some of Brooklyn’s most magnificent brownstones and a reputation for quiet days and nights. As you walk or bike south on Smith/Court Sts., you’ll notice the shops and restaurants thin out and give way to more homes.
Carroll Gardens is home to two of New York’s most interesting breweries – Other Half’s unfiltered IPAs and Folksbier’s Sour Weisses. It’s pretty accessible to Downtown Manhattan too: the F/G runs down Smith St. and stops at Carroll St. and Smith-9th Sts. can get you there in under 30 min.
The History of Carroll Gardens
Once home to the Lenape Canarsee tribe, the area known as Carroll Gardens was settled by the Dutch in the 1640s. Carroll Gardens remained largely rural until ferry service ushered in an era of growth and development in the 1850s. Carroll Gardens soon became a favorite among wealthy Manhattan bankers who enjoyed the neighborhood’s leafy charm and relative proximity to Wall St., and many of them built stately townhomes with the massive front gardens for which the neighborhood is named. Carroll Gardens remained mostly residential until the 1990s, when businesses began to extend down Court St. from Cobble Hill, and today it’s home to some of the finest restaurants in Brooklyn.
Carroll Gardens Demographics
In 2018 there were just over 20,000 people living in Carroll Gardens. There are more families with young children here than in other neighborhoods and slightly fewer senior citizens. About 77% of the population identifies as white, while the remainder mostly identifies as Hispanic (primarily of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage). The median household income here is more than triple the NYC average.
Transportation in Carroll Gardens
Carroll Gardens is well served by the F and G trains at Carroll St and Smith-9th St, , which can whisk you to Lower Manhattan in under 20 minutes or to Queens in under 30. Buses along Smith and Court Sts. can get you to Downtown Brooklyn in under 10 minutes.
Housing in Carroll Gardens
Housing in Carroll Gardens consists mostly of elegant row houses along tree-lined streets, and most buildings have between three and four units. Carroll Gardens is famous for its beautiful front yards that give the neighborhood its name and are unique to this corner of Brooklyn. There are slightly more single family townhomes here than in other neighborhoods and not very many large apartment buildings, which contributes to the neighborhood’s intimate feel. Unsurprisingly, most buildings here were built before WWII, however there has been some new construction recently in the southern part of the neighborhood near neighboring Gowanus and Red Hook.
Neighborhood Life in Carroll Gardens
With its pretty tree-lined streets and intimate neighborhood shops, Carroll Gardens feels like a small town just steps from the hustle and bustle of downtown Brooklyn. You’ll find some of the most beautiful townhomes in Brooklyn here, with large street-facing gardens that showcase their owner’s creativity - expect statuaries, fountains, hedge mazes, and even light shows! Carroll Gardens is home to some of the best restaurants in Brooklyn, and while the neighborhood tends to be family oriented you can still find a smattering of nightlife spilling over from neighboring Gowanus and Cobble Hill.
Similar Neighborhoods to Carroll Gardens
Carroll Gardens Real Estate trends
Carroll Gardens is a very desirable neighborhood and has long been among the most expensive places to buy a home in Brooklyn. There isn’t a lot of new construction in Carroll Gardens but new buildings tend to be located in the southern part of the neighborhood near the BQE and Gowanus Canal.
Caroll Gardens Median Sale Price (USD):
2bd 1,400,000
Caroll Gardens Median Rent Price (USD):
1bd 2,700
2bd 3,900
The Truth You Should Know About Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
How Safe is Carroll Gardens?
Crime in Carroll Gardens is well below average. The streets are generally well lit at night however the area along the southern end of Smith St. under the elevated subway tracks can feel desolate at night. People walking under the BQE to Red Hook may want to exercise caution as most drivers are speeding towards the on-ramp with little regard for pedestrians.
Are the Schools in Carroll Gardens Good?
Carroll Gardens is home to PS 158 which gets very high marks for Student Achievement and Leadership. The area is also home to several well-regarded private schools such as the Blue Feather School (K-6) and the International School of Brooklyn (K-8)
Popular Eateries in Carroll Gardens?
Carroll Gardens is several excellent restaurants which range from high end dining to Beyonce’s favorite pizza joint. @grid
Lucali
Pizza
575 Henry St, Brooklyn NY 11231Frankie’s 457 Spuntino
Italian
457 Court St, Brooklyn NY 11231Buttermilk Channel
American
524 Court St, Brooklyn NY 11231El Mate
Latin
550 Court St, Brooklyn NY 11231Ugly Baby
Thai/Bar
407 Smith St, Brooklyn NY 11231Court St Grocers
Italian/Sandwiches
485 Court St, Brooklyn NY 11231Gowanus Yacht Club
American/Bar
323 Smith St, Brooklyn NY 11231
What to Do in Carroll Gardens?
Check out the Smith Street Stage company for local, family-friendly theater.
Brings your kids large and small to Carroll Park, which boasts a playground for the little ones as well as sprinklers and ball courts.
Visit the Transit Garden and then treat yourself to one of the famous cookies from the nearby Milk Bar.
Stroll through the side streets to take in the variety of unique garden designs on display here - things can get particularly interesting on Halloween!
Is Carroll Gardens Dog Friendly?
Carroll Gardens loves its dogs, as evidenced by the dozens of pet stores that line Smith and Court sts. Dog ownership is very high in this area, and there are plenty of dog walkers and veterinarians to ensure your pet is well taken care of. You can take your pooch to one of the four dog parks in the area or venture a little further out to the neighboring Columbia St. waterfront for sunset walks along the piers.
Is Carroll Gardens Good for Cycling?
Yes! Cyclists can find excellent bike lanes along Clinton, Smith, and Union Sts, and will soon have access to the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, a 26-mile bike path that will run along the shoreline from Greenpoint to Howard Beach. There are several charming bike shops in the neighborhood and several bike share stations.
4 Things to Know Before Moving to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
The BQE is mostly trenched in Carroll Gardens but it can still cause noise and vibrations for nearby homes.
Parts of Carroll Gardens are located within a designated historic district, which can boost property values but also puts significant limitations on how you can alter your home.
Carroll Gardens is very popular with young families - expect to see tons of strollers parked outside popular brunch spots.
The State is looking into converting the Red Hook Container Terminal along the nearby Columbia Street Waterfront into a mini neighborhood of high rise towers by 2030, which could bring more people and traffic to Carroll Gardens.