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CITY

Brighton

Iowa · 589 residents (2025 est.) · 0.782 sq mi
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The short version

Brighton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,481. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $92,900. The poverty rate of 29.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
588
−14%since 2000
from 687 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
752 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 879 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.7
+10%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:589 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4875516166807451990201020202024Brighton
2024588
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,481
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,139 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,231
+80%since 2000
from $15,140 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.2%
+25.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
29.7%
+15.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.453
+27%since 2010
from 0.357 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade26.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$92,900
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$675
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $378 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.5%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
31.5% rent
Vacancy rate
3.7%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
+34%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brighton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99%(680)
Black0.4%(3)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.8%(12)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.5%(532)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(23)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.6%(33)
Diversity Score22.1%(130)
Diversity Score
22
+1117%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.0 min
+109%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.8%
+14.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.1%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.6%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.9%
−9.6 ptssince 2011
from 66.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.4%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.4%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
48.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.9%
−36.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
−9.2 ptssince 2012
from 25.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.6%
−75.1 ptssince 2013
from 80.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.7%
+15.4 ptssince 2017
from 66.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2016
from 99.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Brighton to nearby cities

BRIGHTON VS
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Home value$156,000+68%
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BRIGHTON VS
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Income$61,042+21%
Home value$160,900+73%
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BRIGHTON VS
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BRIGHTON VS
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Income$58,546+16%
Home value$285,900+208%
Population76,229+12842%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Brighton, Iowa?

Brighton, Iowa has about 588 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brighton, Iowa?

The typical household in Brighton, Iowa earns about $50,481 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Brighton, Iowa expensive?

In Brighton, Iowa, the median home is worth about $92,900, and the typical rent is about $675 a month.

How educated are people in Brighton, Iowa?

About 8.1% of adults age 25 and over in Brighton, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Brighton, Iowa?

About 29.7% of people in Brighton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Brighton, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Brighton, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 83 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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

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