Brightwaters, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brightwaters, New York had a total population of 3,179, the 475th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $218,000, which is 154% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 154% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New York.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.2% — among the lowest in New York.
Brightwaters Quick Facts
How Brightwaters 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 | 3,185 | 3,179 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $203,750 | $218,000 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $710,600 | $768,600 | +8.2% |
How Brightwaters 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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brightwaters Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Suffolk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Babylon | 43,570 | $129,519 | 5.9% | $531,900 |
| Coram | 39,539 | $105,220 | 7.5% | $452,100 |
| Central Islip | 38,373 | $113,707 | 9.2% | $436,400 |
| Commack | 36,558 | $169,792 | 4.2% | $678,200 |
| Huntington Station | 32,601 | $135,477 | 7.2% | $578,000 |
| Centereach | 31,839 | $132,240 | 5.3% | $514,800 |
| Bay Shore | 31,683 | $105,618 | 10.2% | $492,200 |
| Shirley | 28,375 | $112,788 | 6.5% | $424,900 |
| Deer Park | 27,990 | $137,105 | 3.4% | $543,500 |
| Lindenhurst | 27,142 | $130,128 | 5.7% | $521,500 |
Cities Similar to Brightwaters
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Spring Harbor | 3,220 | $250,000+ | $1,587,900 | 76.7% | 1.5% |
| Great Neck Estates | 3,023 | $237,788 | $1,638,700 | 73.1% | 5.7% |
| Chappaqua | 3,046 | $241,432 | $781,100 | 79.8% | 1.1% |
| SUNY Oswego | 3,564 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 42.5% |
| Clifton Knolls-Mill Creek | 3,349 | $188,750 | $386,200 | 59.4% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
Brightwaters is a small community located in New York, within Suffolk County. The total population is 3,179. It ranks as the 475th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brightwaters is 41.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brightwaters is $218,000. This is 154% higher than the state median of $85,974. It is also 170% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.2%. This is 99% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $768,600. Housing costs are 81% higher than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 96.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 77% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brightwaters is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.1% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
62.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 99.2%. Notably, 32.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brightwaters, 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 Brightwaters, New York?
Brightwaters, New York has a population of 3,179 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brightwaters, NY?
The median household income in Brightwaters is $218,000, which is 170% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brightwaters, NY?
The poverty rate in Brightwaters is 0.2%. This means approximately 6 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brightwaters, New York?
Brightwaters's population is 84.1% White, 3.0% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brightwaters, NY?
The median home value in Brightwaters is $768,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Brightwaters, New York?
62.6% of adults (25+) in Brightwaters hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 32.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.