Brightwood: Demographics & People
Census counts 1,325 people in Brightwood, in 488 households. Population shrank 7.7% from 1,436 (2022) to 1,325 (2024). Median age 44.8 years. (1.6y younger than Madison County; 7.0y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 95% White (non-Hispanic) and 1% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.03). 76% of households are family-led. County is gaining 381 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 24% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 66 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 7.7% from 1,436 (2022) to 1,325 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,224 (extrapolated at -3.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,098.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 13,837 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -7.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,436 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,325 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 1,325 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,098 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 44.8y is 5.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 44.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,325 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 245 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 273.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 526.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 281 |
| Population under 18 | 245 |
| Median age | 44.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 1,325 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.03 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 1,368 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 4 |
| Asian residents | 4 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 11 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 2.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 98.6% |
| Asian population | 0.2% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 0.2% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.1% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 94.6% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.9% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 0% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,055 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 255 |
| Share born in this state | 79.6% |
| Share born in another state | 20.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 19.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 4 |
| From Africa | 4 |
Households & Family Composition
488 households. Averaging 3.0 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 76% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 349 families, 24% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 299 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 349 |
| Married couples with children | 83 |
| Single-parent households | 23 |
| Average household size | 3.02 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 13.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 83 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 46 |
| Family households | 372 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 76.2% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 488 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 381 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 13,156 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 12,775 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 381 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 180 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 10.1% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 7 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-07 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51113 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 113 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Madison |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 12.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 8.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51113 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Madison County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 421 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51113 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Madison County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 65.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 57.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 50.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 13,261 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,325, shrinking, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,325 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Madison County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade