City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Brighton, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Brighton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

7,576
Residents
$81,772
Median income
$302,800
Median home
$1,457
Median rent (state)

Brighton - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Brighton lands in the 63rd percentile for household income and the 51st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

63rd
percentile, household income
66th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
51st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Brighton, MI

7,576 people live in Brighton, Michigan - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Brighton brings in $81,772 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.0%. Typical homes in Brighton are valued around $302,800, and the median resident age is 46.7 years. About 47.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 3 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 86% from five years earlier. Brighton reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1339.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,457 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 73.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

7,576 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$81,772 /yr

Poverty 1.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Brighton compare to other US cities?

Brighton measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 63% higher than other cities
Home value 66% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 51% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, Brighton ranks #136 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Brighton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Brighton's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Brighton ranks #54 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Brighton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#125 of 718
83rd percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#54 of 727
92nd percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#74 of 721
90th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#650 of 727
10th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#74 of 727
90th percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

63rdIncome percentile
51stSafety percentile

63rd percentile nationally for median household income · 51st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Brighton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Brighton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 51 Avg. percentile National median
Brighton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Brighton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$302,800 34th percentile more affordable than 34% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Brighton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Brighton, MI Brighton, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Brighton, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Brighton, MI median $81,772/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Brighton, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Brighton, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
7,576
Median Income
$81,772
Median Home Value
$302,800
Median Age
46.7
Poverty Rate
1.0%
Labor force participation
62.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1339.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
110.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1228.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,400 residents7,600 residents7,800 residents8,000 residents8,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,462 residents 7,904 residents ▲ +5.9%
Brighton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 21
2020 28
2021 67
2022 284
2023 13
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 86% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.9%
Carpool
3.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
16.2%

Based on 4,072 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Brighton sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,457/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
73.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Freeland
7,562 people
Albion
7,608 people
Hastings
7,515 people
Iron Mountain
7,508 people
Ludington
7,664 people
Hudsonville
7,711 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Brighton's 7,576 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ojai, CA
7,576 people
London, KY
7,576 people
Baywood, NY
7,577 people
Ellwood City, PA
7,575 people
Arcadia, FL
7,571 people
Uniontown, OH
7,571 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Brighton's $81,772 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Elkhart, IA
$81,771 median income
Matlock, IA
$81,771 median income
Whaleyville, MD
$81,771 median income
Chamblee, GA
$81,774 median income
Enoch, UT
$81,767 median income
Yorktown, IN
$81,765 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Brighton, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Brighton, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.3% White 94.4% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 2.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Brighton compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Brighton (this city) 7,576 $81,772
Freeland 7,562 $103,431
Albion 7,608 $40,040
Hastings 7,515 $56,309
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Brighton, MI?

What is the population of Brighton, MI? +

The population of Brighton, MI stands at 7,576 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Brighton, MI? +

Median annual household income in Brighton runs $81,772, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Brighton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Brighton; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Brighton, MI safe? +

Brighton has a total crime rate of 1339.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Brighton, MI? +

A typical home in Brighton is worth $302,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.