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Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City and is coextensive with Kings County in the U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City and is coextensive with Kings County in the U.S. state of New York. It is the most populous borough of New York City and, by some measures, the second-largest by land area. Brooklyn was formerly an independent city until it joined New York City in 1898.

Geography

Brooklyn occupies the western end of Long Island and is separated from Manhattan by the East River. It borders Queens and is surrounded by several bodies of water, including Upper and Lower New York Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

History

Brooklyn was originally settled as a Dutch colonial community and later became an independent city. In 1898, it was consolidated into New York City as one of the city's five boroughs.

Population and administration

Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City and is administratively identical to Kings County. The borough had a population of 2,736,074 in the 2020 United States census.

Brooklyn has major transportation connections to Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. These include the Brooklyn Bridge, other bridges, a vehicular tunnel, and rapid-transit tubes.

Key facts

  • Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs and is coextensive with Kings County.
  • It was an independent city until consolidation with New York City in 1898.
  • The borough lies on the western end of Long Island and borders Queens.
  • Brooklyn is connected to Manhattan by bridges, tunnels, and rapid-transit tubes.
  • Its 2020 population was 2,736,074.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brooklyn a city or a borough?
Brooklyn is a borough of New York City, and it is also coextensive with Kings County.
Is Brooklyn the same as Kings County?
Yes. Brooklyn and Kings County refer to the same geographic area in New York City.
How many people live in Brooklyn?
Brooklyn had 2,736,074 residents in the 2020 census.
Was Brooklyn ever independent?
Yes. Brooklyn was an independent city before becoming part of New York City in 1898.
Where is Brooklyn located?
Brooklyn is on the western end of Long Island, east of Manhattan.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Brooklyn-borough-New-York-City
    Supports: Brooklyn as a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, geography, borders, transport connections, and population figures.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn
    Supports: Brooklyn's location, area, land and water area, and general borough facts.
  3. Brooklyn Borough official site — https://brooklyn.org/brooklyn-facts/
    Supports: Brooklyn as the largest borough by population and geographic area, and population above 2.7 million.
  4. Camp New York — https://campnewyork.org/interesting-facts/brooklyn/
    Supports: Brooklyn's status as an independent city until 1898.