Town · Vermont
Brighton, Vermont
Brighton, town, in Essex County, Vermont. Brighton had 1,251 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,157 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,167 (±194). GEOID 5000908725.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,251
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,157 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,167 ±194
Median household income
$47,375
±$21,292 (90% margin)
Vermont: $81,203
Median home value
$163,900
±$38,569 (90% margin)
Vermont: $316,600
Median gross rent
$775
±$33 (90% margin)
Vermont: $1,234
Where is Brighton and what county is it in?
Brighton is a town in Essex County, Vermont. It covers 52.9 square miles of land, 22 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside Brighton: Island Pond (CDP, 750 in 2020).
Brighton is the same area as Census Tract 9502 of Essex County: the tract's figures are Brighton's own.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Brighton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,251 people lived in Brighton on July 1, 2025, up 8.5% since 2020, faster than Vermont (+0.2%). The 2020 Census counted 1,157 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,167 (±194).
| Measure | Brighton | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,167±194 | 5,982 | no clear change |
| Households | 554±83 | 2,823 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.06±0.26 | 2.10 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 992±75 | 4,952 | no clear change |
Brighton's population since 2000
From 1,260 in 2000 to 1,251 in 2025: down 0.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Brighton 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 Brighton?
The median resident of Brighton is 45.2 years old; 18.3% are under 18 and 27.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.7%.
| Measure | Brighton | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2±11.6 | 51.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.3%±6.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.2%±7.1 pts | 27.6% | – |
| Male | 46.5%±4.8 pts | 50.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7%±2.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.1%±2.8 pts | 92.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.0%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7%±3.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.0%±4.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.6%±5.3 pts | 9.3% | – |
| With a disability | 24.5%±5.9 pts | 22.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±4.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.4%±4.1 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.9%±8.6 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1%±5.6 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 94.7%±3.8 pts | 94.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±2.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Brighton earn?
Half of Brighton's 554 households earn less than $47,375 a year (±$21,292), against $59,294 in Essex County and $81,203 in Vermont. In 2015-2019 it was $51,645 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brighton | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,375±$21,292 | $59,294 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,163±$27,467 | $79,239 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,291±$12,985 | $36,657 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.0%±14.0 pts | 13.8% | +14.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 37.1%±37.8 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.0%±9.8 pts | 18.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.1%±6.7 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.9%±7.5 pts | 86.1% | – |
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 Brighton?
Owners occupy 51.1% of Brighton's occupied homes and renters 48.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $163,900 by its owner (±$38,569). The median renter pays $775 a month including utilities, and 22.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brighton | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $163,900±$38,569 | $172,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $775±$33 | $827 | −$112 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.9%±11.7 pts | 24.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,551±$152 | $1,493 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.1%±8.4 pts | 82.4% | −13.6 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.9%±8.4 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Housing units | 992±75 | 4,952 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.7%±5.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9%±7.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.6%±6.8 pts | 81.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.8%±2.2 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±2.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.4%±3.6 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.4%±8.5 pts | 27.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.7%±6.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
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 Brighton building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Brighton in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 1.6 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across Vermont.
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 Brighton work and get to work?
79.9% of Brighton's workers drive alone and 12.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.1 minutes.
| Measure | Brighton | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.5%±6.6 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±3.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.9%±7.9 pts | 78.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.8%±2.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±5.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 4.9%±3.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.4%±8.0 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.1 min±9.6 | 28.1 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 Brighton?
1 census tract lies mostly in Brighton (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502Essex County | 1,167 | $47,375 |
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 Brighton) · Census block assignment files
How does Brighton compare with other places in Vermont?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Brighton is the 6,712th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 132nd-most populous of 237 in Vermont.
Brighton ranks 196th of 198 places in Vermont with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 132nd | 237 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 5th | 173 |
| Residents per square mile | 197th | 202 |
| Median household income | 196th | 198 |
| Per capita income | 148th | 202 |
| Median home value | 199th | 201 |
| Median gross rent | 182nd | 187 |
| Poverty rate | 5th | 162 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 172nd | 200 |
| Median age | 107th | 202 |
| Owner-occupied share | 190th | 201 |
| Work from home | 131st | 185 |
| Travel time to work | 14th | 202 |
Brighton's figures with every place in Vermont (CSV)
Every place in Vermont, sortable · Compare Brighton 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 Brighton?
18 of the 57 figures for Brighton 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 Brighton 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' school search.