1857History
Brookings set out for the Dakota Territory in June 1857.
1858Disaster
This trip began in January 1858, and the two soon encountered a blizzard that froze Brookings's feet, which both had to be amputated.
1869Government
In 1869, a group of 10 Norwegian pioneers moved west into the Dakota Territory and resettled the area of Medary, about four and a half miles south of present-day Brookings.
1871Culture
The county of Brookings was formally organized in Medary in Martin Trygstad's cabin on July 3, 1871.
1873Government
The territorial legislature established the current boundaries on January 8, 1873.
1879History
In a letter sent to Chicago on September 30, 1879, Land Commissioner Charles E.
1880History
Brookings was laid out in 1880.
1912History
Extremes range from −41 °F (−41 °C) as recently as January 12, 1912 to 109 °F (43 °C) on July 24, 1940.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the 2000 census, there were 18,504 people, 6,971 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the 2010 census, there were 22,056 people, 8,159 households, and 3,836 families residing in the city.
2012Architecture
A major reconstruction of the airport took place in 2012.
2014History
The project added 250 new jobs in Brookings by the end of 2014.
2022Education
There were 3,446 students enrolled at the Brookings School District in the School Year of 2022-'23.
2023History
== Demographics ==
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 8,860 estimated households in Brookings with an average of 2.31 persons per household.
2024History
There were 12,065 students enrolled at SDSU in the Fall of 2024.
2025Government
It was founded by former Brookings Register managing editor Josh Linehan in august of 2025, after the Register's temporary closure.