Brighton, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brighton, Colorado had a total population of 42,059, the 22nd largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $107,679, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 41,196 | 42,059 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $100,134 | $107,679 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $475,100 | $499,500 | +5.1% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brighton Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton | 144,187 | $103,088 | 7.0% | $517,500 |
| Commerce City | 66,445 | $111,972 | 8.6% | $499,700 |
| Northglenn | 38,014 | $84,030 | 10.2% | $462,100 |
| Sherrelwood | 18,692 | $75,327 | 10.7% | $432,200 |
| Welby | 16,197 | $80,026 | 12.6% | $385,000 |
| Federal Heights | 14,125 | $56,597 | 24.2% | $95,300 |
| Berkley | 10,789 | $84,637 | 14.1% | $468,100 |
| Lochbuie | 8,609 | $97,009 | 7.7% | $423,000 |
| Derby | 8,453 | $82,138 | 8.1% | $353,000 |
| Twin Lakes (Adams County) | 8,030 | $95,583 | 9.8% | $587,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Littleton | 44,710 | $98,839 | $630,600 | 56.8% | 6.1% |
| Windsor | 37,914 | $127,028 | $604,000 | 55.5% | 6.0% |
| Security-Widefield | 37,345 | $91,142 | $387,500 | 27.9% | 7.3% |
| Pueblo West | 35,681 | $96,810 | $397,000 | 31.7% | 7.0% |
| Northglenn | 38,014 | $84,030 | $462,100 | 27.7% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Brighton is a mid-sized community located in Colorado, within Adams County. The total population is 42,059. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brighton is 34.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brighton is $107,679. This is 13% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 33% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $499,500. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 71.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brighton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 38.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.6% vs 22.5%).
Education
23.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brighton, Colorado 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 Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. 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, Colorado?
Brighton, Colorado has a population of 42,059 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brighton, CO?
The median household income in Brighton is $107,679, which is 33% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brighton, CO?
The poverty rate in Brighton is 9.3%. This means approximately 3,842 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brighton, Colorado?
Brighton's population is 51.4% White, 2.7% Black, 38.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brighton, CO?
The median home value in Brighton is $499,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Brighton, Colorado?
23.5% of adults (25+) in Brighton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.