Bright, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bright, Indiana had a total population of 5,540, the 122nd largest community in Indiana, with a median household income of $108,974, which is 51% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Indiana.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.3% — among the lowest in Indiana.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Bright Quick Facts
How Bright 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 | 5,735 | 5,540 | -3.4% |
| Median household income | $111,140 | $108,974 | -1.9% |
| Median home value | $246,600 | $279,500 | +13.3% |
How Bright 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bright Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Dearborn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Valley | 5,706 | $121,208 | 1.9% | $289,400 |
| Lawrenceburg | 5,179 | $51,250 | 13.5% | $227,600 |
| Greendale | 3,986 | $74,980 | 10.2% | $198,700 |
| Aurora | 3,648 | $47,470 | 18.5% | $131,400 |
| Dillsboro | 1,697 | $48,810 | 14.9% | $149,500 |
| St. Leon | 737 | $76,250 | 15.2% | $280,800 |
| Moores Hill | 629 | $68,750 | 8.5% | $143,800 |
| West Harrison | 285 | $43,750 | 19.3% | $129,200 |
Cities Similar to Bright
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Valley | 5,706 | $121,208 | $289,400 | 29.3% | 1.9% |
| New Whiteland | 5,704 | $89,918 | $211,800 | 17.4% | 3.3% |
| Whiteland | 5,173 | $96,944 | $232,100 | 31.6% | 9.3% |
| Highland | 5,114 | $98,002 | $240,400 | 31.9% | 8.6% |
| Pendleton | 5,321 | $86,806 | $248,200 | 33.6% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Bright is a small city located in Indiana, within Dearborn County. The total population is 5,540. It ranks as the 122nd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bright is 42.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bright is $108,974. This is 51% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. This is 73% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $279,500. Housing costs are 28% higher than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Bright is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bright has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bright, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Indiana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bright, Indiana?
Bright, Indiana has a population of 5,540 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bright, IN?
The median household income in Bright is $108,974, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bright, IN?
The poverty rate in Bright is 3.3%. This means approximately 184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bright, Indiana?
Bright's population is 95.1% White, 1.7% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bright, IN?
The median home value in Bright is $279,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Bright, Indiana?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Bright hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.