Brighton, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brighton, Alabama had a total population of 3,079, the 169th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $38,221, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 18.1% is notably above the national average.
Brighton Quick Facts
How Brighton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,091 | 3,079 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $36,219 | $38,221 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $72,800 | $70,800 | -2.7% |
How Brighton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brighton Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | 24.7% | $158,800 |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | 3.2% | $330,700 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
Cities Similar to Brighton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stapleton | 3,009 | N/A | N/A | 33.2% | 4.4% |
| Red Bay | 3,201 | $37,473 | $108,200 | 21.2% | 20.2% |
| East Brewton | 3,168 | $35,571 | $87,200 | 4.5% | 23.7% |
| Marion | 2,886 | $35,842 | $108,700 | 10.8% | 20.1% |
| Hanceville | 3,270 | $41,791 | $169,800 | 10.9% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
Brighton is a small community located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 3,079. It ranks as the 169th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brighton is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. With 28.0% of the population under 18, Brighton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brighton is $38,221. This is 40% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.2%. This is 119% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 18.1%. This is 284% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $70,800. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Brighton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brighton is Black or African American, making up 66.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (66.5% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.1% vs 5.6%).
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brighton, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Brighton, Alabama?
Brighton, Alabama has a population of 3,079 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brighton, AL?
The median household income in Brighton is $38,221, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brighton, AL?
The poverty rate in Brighton is 34.2%. This means approximately 1,038 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brighton, Alabama?
Brighton's population is 1.7% White, 66.5% Black, 28.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brighton, AL?
The median home value in Brighton is $70,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Brighton, Alabama?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Brighton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.