Brighton city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Brighton city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 655. It ranks as the 408th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Brighton city is 37.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Brighton city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Brighton city is $55,000. This is 25% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. 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 4.9%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $87,700. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Brighton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Brighton city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

6.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Brighton city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.