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CITY

Brighton

Colorado · 45,395 residents (2025 est.) · 21.434 sq mi
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The short version

Brighton is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $107,679. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 21,154 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $499,500. At a median age of 34.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 92%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
42,059
+101%since 2000
from 20,905 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,962 / sq mi
+101%since 2000
from 975 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.0
+7%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:45,395 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
11K20K28K36K45K1990201020202024Brighton
202442K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$107,679
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,779 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,641
+132%since 2000
from $17,927 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
63.4%
+22.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.409
+15%since 2010
from 0.356 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade10.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance9.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$499,500
+92%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $143,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,779
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $699 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 71.3% in 2000
28.5% rent
Vacancy rate
3.5%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.4%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 38.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.6
+52%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brighton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic58.2%(12,175)
Black0.9%(180)
Hispanic / Latino38.2%(7,990)
Asian1.1%(222)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.3%(13,025)
2024
White, non-Hispanic51.4%(21,611)
Black2.7%(1,141)
Hispanic / Latino38.6%(16,231)
Asian1.9%(814)
Other5.4%(2,262)
Diversity Score72.9%(30,653)
Diversity Score
73
+17%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.5%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.9%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.1 min
+68%since 2000
from 18.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 75.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.8%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.4%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 7.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.9%
−22.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
49.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
9.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−44.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2012
from 8.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.1%
−68.4 ptssince 2013
from 78.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.3%
+15.8 ptssince 2017
from 78.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.6%
+6.0 ptssince 2016
from 72.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
19.1%
−6.2 ptssince 2016
from 25.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Places similar to Brighton
Head to head

Compare Brighton to nearby cities

BRIGHTON VS
Lochbuie
Income$97,009−10%
Home value$423,000−15%
Population8,776−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRIGHTON VS
Commerce City
Income$111,972+4%
Home value$499,700same
Population72,345+59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRIGHTON VS
Fort Lupton
Income$80,889−25%
Home value$416,000−17%
Population10,402−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRIGHTON VS
Thornton
Income$103,088−4%
Home value$517,500+4%
Population147,766+226%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Brighton, Colorado?

Brighton, Colorado has about 42,059 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brighton, Colorado?

The typical household in Brighton, Colorado earns about $107,679 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Brighton, Colorado expensive?

In Brighton, Colorado, the median home is worth about $499,500, and the typical rent is about $1,779 a month.

How educated are people in Brighton, Colorado?

About 23.5% of adults age 25 and over in Brighton, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Brighton, Colorado?

About 9.4% of people in Brighton, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

Has Brighton, Colorado grown since 1990?

Yes, Brighton, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 27,859 residents, a change of about 196 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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