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CITY

Brightwaters

New York · 3,208 residents (2025 est.) · 0.966 sq mi
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The short version

Brightwaters is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $218,000. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $768,600. Poverty is rare here, at 0.2% of residents. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
63% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 72%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,179
−2%since 2000
from 3,248 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,291 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 3,362 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.8
+9%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,208 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Brightwaters
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$218,000
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,556 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$80,489
+119%since 2000
from $36,693 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
89.3%
+15.8 ptssince 2009
from 73.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
0.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.347
−5%since 2010
from 0.365 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services15.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration14.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade10.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Information5.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade2.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$768,600
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $246,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,728
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $868 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
96.4%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 90.8% in 2000
3.6% rent
Vacancy rate
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.1%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 34.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+27%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brightwaters on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.2%(2,994)
Black1.5%(49)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(132)
Asian1.3%(41)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.4%(533)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.1%(2,673)
Black3%(96)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(205)
Asian1%(33)
Other5.4%(172)
Diversity Score35.6%(1,132)
Diversity Score
36
+117%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
62.6%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 53.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 95.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
32.7%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 22.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.2 min
+26%since 2000
from 25.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.4%
−13.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.2%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
8.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.9%
+17.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.2%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 72.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
23.0%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
69.1%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.7%
−46.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.8%
Unchangedsince 2012
from 8.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.6%
−93.4 ptssince 2013
from 94.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
98.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2017
from 92.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2016
from 91.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Brightwaters to nearby cities

BRIGHTWATERS VS
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Income$105,618−52%
Home value$492,200−36%
Population31,683+888%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRIGHTWATERS VS
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Home value$542,200−29%
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BRIGHTWATERS VS
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Income$118,750−46%
Home value$456,500−41%
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BRIGHTWATERS VS
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Income$141,915−35%
Home value$497,600−35%
Population20,282+532%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Brightwaters, New York?

Brightwaters, New York has about 3,179 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brightwaters, New York?

The typical household in Brightwaters, New York earns about $218,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Brightwaters, New York expensive?

In Brightwaters, New York, the median home is worth about $768,600, and the typical rent is about $1,728 a month.

How educated are people in Brightwaters, New York?

About 62.6% of adults age 25 and over in Brightwaters, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Brightwaters, New York?

About 0.2% of people in Brightwaters, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Brightwaters, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Brightwaters, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 86 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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