Brighton, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brighton, New York had a total population of 36,834, the 28th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $85,467, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 68.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New York.
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 | 36,633 | 36,834 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $83,723 | $85,467 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $259,300 | $282,100 | +8.8% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brighton Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Monroe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 208,772 | $47,213 | 27.8% | $139,600 |
| Irondequoit | 50,657 | $79,162 | 9.2% | $182,500 |
| Greece | 13,943 | $65,849 | 10.9% | $169,300 |
| North Gates | 9,904 | $76,277 | 9.3% | $163,400 |
| Brockport | 7,277 | $69,866 | 16.1% | $157,700 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 6,959 | $20,192 | 46.4% | N/A |
| East Rochester | 6,218 | $73,344 | 7.5% | $143,500 |
| Hilton | 5,968 | $87,377 | 12.6% | $190,800 |
| Webster | 5,718 | $70,495 | 10.7% | $218,400 |
| Fairport | 5,403 | $107,009 | 12.6% | $278,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmont | 36,518 | $114,217 | $602,900 | 32.6% | 5.0% |
| Coram | 39,539 | $105,220 | $452,100 | 36.1% | 7.5% |
| Central Islip | 38,373 | $113,707 | $436,400 | 19.3% | 9.2% |
| Port Chester | 31,102 | $92,222 | $582,600 | 36.7% | 12.9% |
| East Meadow | 36,821 | $133,971 | $631,800 | 48.6% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Brighton is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Monroe County. The total population is 36,834. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brighton is 40.1 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.8 years. 10.9% 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 $85,467. This is about the same as the state median of $85,974. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $282,100. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brighton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.1%. The Black or African American population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
68.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Brighton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.9%. Notably, 38.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brighton, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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, New York?
Brighton, New York has a population of 36,834 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brighton, NY?
The median household income in Brighton is $85,467, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brighton, NY?
The poverty rate in Brighton is 8.8%. This means approximately 3,083 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brighton, New York?
Brighton's population is 74.0% White, 5.8% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brighton, NY?
The median home value in Brighton is $282,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Brighton, New York?
68.6% of adults (25+) in Brighton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 38.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.