Brighton, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brighton, Michigan had a total population of 7,688, the 133rd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $80,682, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Brighton Quick Facts
How Brighton Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,649 | 7,688 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $77,702 | $80,682 | No clear change (+3.8%) |
| Median home value¹ | $260,418 | $339,000 | +30.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,309 | $1,198 | -8.5% |
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
- White: 94.7%
- Black: 0.8%
- Hispanic: 1.3%
- Asian: 0.8%
- Other: 0.2%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 3.1%
- HS Diploma: 21.5%
- Some College: 19.3%
- Associate's: 7.5%
- Bachelor's: 30.6%
- Graduate+: 18.0%
Brighton Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Livingston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell | 10,021 | $60,449 | 7.7% | $265,600 |
| Fowlerville | 2,918 | $45,773 | 14.1% | $192,000 |
| Pinckney | 1,911 | $96,855 | 4.5% | $267,600 |
| Hartland | 912 | $112,257 | 0.0% | $330,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shields | 7,402 | $82,125 | $174,500 | 30.8% | 13.1% |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | $299,000 | 55.4% | 7.3% |
| Whitmore Lake | 7,878 | $86,779 | $287,700 | 38.9% | 5.0% |
| Hudsonville | 7,769 | $91,280 | $285,700 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
| Flushing | 8,284 | $80,025 | $204,500 | 30.3% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Brighton is a small city located in Michigan, within Livingston County. The total population is 7,688. It ranks as the 133rd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brighton is 47.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brighton is $80,682. This is 11% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $339,000. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brighton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
48.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.9%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brighton, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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, Michigan?
Brighton, Michigan has a population of 7,688 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brighton, MI?
The median household income in Brighton is $80,682, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brighton, MI?
The poverty rate in Brighton is 8.1%. This means approximately 618 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brighton, Michigan?
Brighton's population is 94.7% White, 0.8% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brighton, MI?
The median home value in Brighton is $339,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Brighton, Michigan?
48.6% of adults (25+) in Brighton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.