While Brighton is surrounded by a rural landscape, it forms part of the South Lyon-Howell-Brighton urban area. Just under 8,000 residents call this city home, making it far less populous than Howell and South Lyon. While it’s a smaller city, it has far more retail, dining and entertainment options than its neighbors. It also offers newer, more luxurious home options. As a less expensive, smaller and busier option than its neighbor, Brighton Township, Brighton appeals to buyers who want main-street amenities paired with rural charm. Despite its urbanism, however, dozens of surrounding greenspaces allow residents to experience the beauty of rural Michigan. "Brighton is a little bit more upscale, Howell is more quaint,” says Jennifer Petersen, associate broker and owner of Red Door Realty Group. “The home prices in Brighton are a little bit higher, and the homes are not as historic. It’s a little more urban.”
Brighton is a small city covering roughly four square miles.
Brighton offers a variety of locally owned shops.
Brighton has many local and national chain restaurants.
Brighton residents enjoy quiet neighborhoods.
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Downtown Brighton and Grand River Avenue
Downtown Brighton is concentrated along West Main Street and is home to many locally owned restaurants, boutiques and shops. This area also houses Brighton Mill Pond, which backs the Brighton Amphitheater and Mill Pond Park. The park features a playground, a boardwalk and a walking path that crosses over the pond. The park is adjacent to the City Hall building, which hosts the city's seasonal Brighton Farmers' Market. This city’s walkable and vibrant downtown isn’t the only shopping district.
“Brighton has everything you need,” Peterson says. “Costco, Target, Best Buy — everything is there. There are also some really lovely independent places.”
Grand River Avenue stretches over 250 miles from Detroit to Grand Haven and generally serves as the major commercial hub in every city it cuts through. Between Brighton and Howell, the thoroughfare features everything from home improvement stores to fast-food chains.
Brighton is concentrated along West Main Street and has many locally owned shops.
City Hall is located in downtown Brighton.
Brighton has an amphitheater in downtown.
Costco is a bustling Saturday stop for residents of Brighton.
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A day as a Gilmore Girl and other annual events
Downtown Brighton's small-town nature is one of the reasons it was selected as the site of a massive Gilmore Girls event in September 2024. For an entire day, Brighton's Main Street was completely transformed into 'Stars Hollow,' the fictional town where this hit television series took place. During the event, about 40,000 people flooded the city, which is about five times Brighton’s regular population.
“It was insane,” Peterson says. “They replicated the downtown and a lot of the local stores emulated the shops and stores from the TV show. It was absolutely, wildly successful, and pretty exciting for the community too.”
While this was one of the biggest events the city has ever seen, Brighton also hosts dozens of festivals throughout the year. The Smokin’ Jazz & BBQ Blues Festival is so popular that the city offers a shuttle service between Brighton High School and downtown to regulate parking and traffic. This multi-day summer festival features award-winning barbeque, hundreds of vendors, live music and more. In addition, themed events like A Taste of Brighton, the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest and the Thanksgiving Day Parade are also popular and well-attended.
A vast selection of homes which vary by neighborhood
Unlike the expansive multistory, multiacre homes found in Brighton Township, the city of Brighton’s homes are generally smaller and offer less yard space. Townhouses and ranch styles are especially common around downtown, along with Colonial Revival and modern Traditional builds. There are, however, various neighborhoods like Pine Creek Ridge and Villas of Oak Pointe, which feature smaller-scale mansions on ample lots. These areas, as Peterson explains, are more "luxurious" than other developments. Brighton’s median home price is about $430,000 and homes sell in only 29 days on average versus the U.S. average of 44 days. In comparison, Brighton Township’s median home price is $546,000, and Howell’s is $385,000.
Brighton features a diverse range of home styles.
Ranch-style homes are popular option in Brighton.
Brighton's streets are neatly lined with homes.
A variety of condo communities exist in Brighton.
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The highest ranked school district in Livingston County and healthcare training
Brighton Area Schools serve more than 5,800 students from the Greater Brighton area. It has four elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school and one high school. Niche gives the district an A rating and also ranks it as the best school district in Livingston County, highlighting its high state test scores. Ross Medical Education Center is located in Brighton Town Square shopping center and offers fast-track medical training programs that prepare graduates to earn certifications in fields like nursing and dentistry.
Ross Medical Education Center is located in the Brighton Town Square.
Students can easily walk or bike to Brighton High School.
Scranton Middle School challenges students by offering an all-encompassing curriculum.
Kids are challenged to excel at Hornung Elementary School.
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Parks spanning thousands of acres
There are dozens of parks around Brighton, one of the largest being the Brighton Recreation Area. At nearly 5,000 acres, this state park offers miles of hiking trails, three lakes, campsites, horse stables and more. Its sloping hills make it popular with hikers and mountain bikers, while anglers, kayakers and paddleboarders take to its lakes. The trail system here also allows for horseback riding.
Huron Meadows Metropark spans just over 1,500 acres and sits on Maltby Lake. Densley packed with oak and hickory trees, this greenspace is a retreat situated between Brighton and South Lyon. It has a public golf course, three picnic areas and winding backwoods trails that allow for easy hikes. In the winter months, the trails are popular for cross-country skiing.
If skiers and snowboarders want to hit the slopes without making the drive down to Huron Meadows, Mt. Brighton Ski Resort is located just north of the city. This small resort offers two terrain parks in the winter and during warmer months, it can be rented for private events.
Mt. Brighton Ski Resort is also located just south of the city square.
There are dozens of parks around Brighton.
Brighton Recreation Area has 39 miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk along Maltby Lake in Huron Meadows Metropark.
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Highways, hospitals and airports
Both the Brighton Health Center and the Brighton Center for Specialty Care are operated by the University of Michigan Medicine. They offer adult, pediatric and support services, although they do not have 24-hour emergency rooms. However, nearby Saint Joseph Mercy, situated on Grand River Avenue, offers an emergency room and specialty care.
Interstate 96, which runs east and west, is the nearest major thoroughfare, and Detroit is about 45 miles east of Brighton, while Lansing is 50 miles west. U.S. Route 23, or M-23, runs north and south and connects with Interstate 75 after about 35 miles. Oakland County International Airport, which offers commercial flights, is located about 30 miles east.
Low crime rates and typical weather patterns
In 2023, Brighton’s violent crime rate was 97% less than the Michigan average and its property crime rate was 32% less. The weather patterns in Brighton are typical with other Livingston County cities, with this area experiencing all four seasons.
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