Brighton, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brighton, Iowa had a total population of 588, the 430th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $50,481, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.1% 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 1.8x.
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 | 655 | 588 | -10.2% |
| Median household income | $55,000 | $50,481 | -8.2% |
| Median home value | $87,700 | $92,900 | +5.9% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brighton Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 7,290 | $55,373 | 12.8% | $152,300 |
| Kalona | 2,692 | $80,129 | 4.6% | $257,900 |
| Wellman | 1,454 | $57,560 | 3.6% | $174,500 |
| Keota | 891 | $64,188 | 10.4% | $106,600 |
| Riverside | 890 | $84,091 | 2.3% | $183,700 |
| Ainsworth | 633 | $68,333 | 4.3% | $118,400 |
| Crawfordsville | 312 | $75,625 | 6.1% | $79,200 |
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | 24.2% | $80,300 |
| Coppock | 29 | N/A | 17.2% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swea City | 591 | $47,656 | $56,400 | 15.2% | 27.0% |
| What Cheer | 580 | $48,182 | $49,200 | 14.5% | 21.2% |
| Charter Oak | 580 | $53,042 | $77,700 | 7.6% | 7.6% |
| Fonda | 589 | $54,853 | $58,500 | 18.3% | 10.8% |
| Emerson | 570 | $49,063 | $119,500 | 9.9% | 15.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 588, Brighton's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Brighton is a small community located in Iowa, within Washington County. The total population is 588. It ranks as the 430th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brighton is 40.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brighton is $50,481. This is 33% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.7%. This is 168% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 3.1%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $92,900. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Brighton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brighton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brighton, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Brighton, Iowa has a population of 588 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brighton, IA?
The median household income in Brighton is $50,481, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brighton, IA?
The poverty rate in Brighton is 29.7%. This means approximately 174 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brighton, Iowa?
Brighton's population is 90.5% White, 0.0% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brighton, IA?
The median home value in Brighton is $92,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Brighton, Iowa?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Brighton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.