Village · New York
Brightwaters, New York
Brightwaters, village, in Suffolk County, New York. Brightwaters had 3,208 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,181 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,179 (±29). GEOID 3608323.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,208
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,181 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,179 ±29
Median household income
$218,000
±$23,916 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$768,600
±$58,788 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,728
±$147 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is Brightwaters and what county is it in?
Brightwaters is a village in Suffolk County, New York. It covers 1.0 square miles of land, 3,293 residents per square mile in 2020.
Brightwaters is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 22 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Brightwaters is the same area as Census Tract 1471 of Suffolk County: the tract's figures are Brightwaters's own.
Brightwaters lies entirely within the Town of Islip, a town with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Brightwaters, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,208 people lived in Brightwaters on July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, while New York shrank 1.0%. The 2020 Census counted 3,181 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,179 (±29).
| Measure | Brightwaters | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,179 ±29 | 1,530,146 | +104 |
| Households | 1,054 ±61 | 512,565 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.01 ±0.16 | 2.93 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,054 ±61 | 580,772 | no clear change |
Brightwaters's population since 2000
From 3,248 in 2000 to 3,208 in 2025: down 1.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Brightwaters as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Brightwaters?
The median resident of Brightwaters is 41.8 years old; 27.0% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.4%. 4.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brightwaters | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8 ±1.8 | 41.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.0% ±3.7 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5% ±2.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Male | 48.7% ±2.8 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.4% ±3.4 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.1% ±6.3 pts | 62.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±2.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4% ±4.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.5% ±1.5 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.9% ±2.3 pts | 24.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.7% ±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| With a disability | 8.8% ±2.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.2% ±0.8 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 62.6% ±5.6 pts | 40.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 32.7% ±4.7 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 95.4% ±2.5 pts | 92.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Brightwaters earn?
Half of Brightwaters's 1,054 households earn less than $218,000 a year (±$23,916), against $130,686 in Suffolk County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 the median was $157,444 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $60,556 after inflation.
| Measure | Brightwaters | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $218,000 ±$23,916 | $130,686 | +$60,556 |
| Mean household income | $239,636 ±$24,084 | $166,220 | – |
| Per capita income | $80,489 ±$9,130 | $57,164 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±4.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.0% ±3.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.0% ±1.1 pts | 96.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 98.4% ±1.5 pts | 93.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Brightwaters?
Owners occupy 96.4% of Brightwaters's occupied homes and renters 3.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $768,600 by its owner (±$58,788). The median renter pays $1,728 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Brightwaters | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $768,600 ±$58,788 | $578,400 | +$133,808 |
| Median gross rent | $1,728 ±$147 | $2,255 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 12.1% ±24.8 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $3,320 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 96.4% ±2.6 pts | 82.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 3.6% ±2.6 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Housing units | 1,054 ±61 | 580,772 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±55.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 96.7% ±2.6 pts | 79.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±3.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±1.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 44.9% ±6.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.3% ±1.5 pts | 5.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Brightwaters building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Brightwaters in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 1.9 across New York.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Brightwaters work and get to work?
65.4% of Brightwaters's workers drive alone and 19.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Brightwaters | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.2% ±3.8 pts | 65.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% ±2.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.4% ±7.7 pts | 72.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.2% ±1.8 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 8.6% ±3.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.3% ±1.8 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.9% ±6.2 pts | 12.0% | +12.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.2 min ±3.8 | 31.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Brightwaters?
1 census tract lies mostly in Brightwaters, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1471Suffolk County | 3,179 | $218,000 |
| Tract 1459.03Suffolk County | 6,848 | $172,264 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Brightwaters) · Census block assignment files
How does Brightwaters compare with other places in New York?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Brightwaters is the 6,125th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 223rd-most populous of 594 in New York.
Brightwaters ranks 45th of 1,623 places in New York with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 223rd | 594 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 298th | 1,225 |
| Residents per square mile | 254th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 45th | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 116th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 144th | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 370th | 1,515 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 155th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,020th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 45th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 225th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 379th | 1,652 |
Brightwaters's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare Brightwaters with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Brightwaters?
20 of the 57 figures for Brightwaters on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Brightwaters are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Brightwaters.