Brightwood, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brightwood, Virginia had a total population of 1,325, the 345th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $70,625, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Brightwood Quick Facts
How Brightwood 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 | 1,436 | 1,325 | -7.7% |
| Median household income | $90,208 | $70,625 | -21.7% |
| Median home value | $300,000 | $328,800 | +9.6% |
How Brightwood 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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brightwood Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 273 | $65,625 | 13.2% | $334,400 |
Cities Similar to Brightwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGaheysville | 1,327 | $66,761 | $315,700 | 35.2% | 10.5% |
| Lyndhurst | 1,309 | $76,111 | $251,900 | 15.1% | 1.1% |
| Shawsville | 1,411 | N/A | $101,600 | 15.3% | 17.4% |
| Boswell's Corner | 1,239 | N/A | N/A | 17.8% | 3.9% |
| Rustburg | 1,417 | $72,950 | $263,900 | 38.7% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Brightwood is a small community located in Virginia, within Madison County. The total population is 1,325. It ranks as the 345th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brightwood is 44.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 15.3% 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 Brightwood is $70,625. This is 24% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $328,800. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 94.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brightwood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.6% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brightwood, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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 Brightwood, Virginia?
Brightwood, Virginia has a population of 1,325 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brightwood, VA?
The median household income in Brightwood is $70,625, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brightwood, VA?
The poverty rate in Brightwood is 10.0%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brightwood, Virginia?
Brightwood's population is 94.6% White, 0.2% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brightwood, VA?
The median home value in Brightwood is $328,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Brightwood, Virginia?
22.6% of adults (25+) in Brightwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.