Brighton, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Brighton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 655. Residents earn $55,000 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
655 Population 840/sq mi density
$55,000 Median Income $25,207 per capita
$87,700 Home Value $94,096 Zillow
$698 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$55,000 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$87,700 home value, $698/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,000
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $87,700
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.5%
81% lower than US avg
Median Rent $698
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.0%
53% higher than US avg

How Brighton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population655
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density840/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$55,000
Per Capita$25,207
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty19.0%
County GDP$1,863M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$87,700
Rent$698
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$94,096

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation751 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.5%
High School+81.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute27 min
Libraries3

Is Brighton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brighton receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Brighton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brighton is $55,000, 27% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brighton is $87,700, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $698 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Brighton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 25.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Brighton has a population of 655 with a density of 840 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 4.9% Hispanic.

Population

655
Total Population
840
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Brighton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brighton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brighton is $55,000, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Brighton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,000
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,207
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$77,685

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.0%
53% above US avg
Establishments (County)858
County GDP$1,863M

Business (County)

Restaurants43
Healthcare61
Retail89
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,261
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home7.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Brighton is $87,700, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $698 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $94,096.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$87,700
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$94,096

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$698
40% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,261
22% above US avg
Effective Rate4.86%
In Brighton, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Brighton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.3%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death6,076/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities61

Crime Rates: Brighton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Brighton has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall25.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation751 ft (229 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density840/sq mi
Coordinates41.1747°N, 91.8212°W
County FIPS19183
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (81% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.6%
D 37.2%

Winner: Republican by 24.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.5%
81% below US avg
High School+81.3%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density840/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities61
Restaurants43
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home7.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Brighton with another city: