Brighton offers quiet countryside living within reach of Memphis
As Memphis grows and development creeps northward along U.S. Route 51, Brighton still offers a quiet countryside lifestyle within the metro area. “You’re about 35 to 45 minutes away from downtown Memphis, but people want to live further out where it’s a slower pace of life,” says Ken Patrick, an affiliate broker with Collier Realtors who has sold homes in the area. “It’s more rural than in the city, and it’s cheaper.” The town is essentially a cutoff point for commercial development in the Memphis region, and residents like it that way. Properties are spacious, and country roads wind through open fields and forested areas. Brand-new shops and restaurants have opened in communities south of Brighton, offering quick trips without bringing traffic and construction close to home. The location in Tipton County also puts homeowners close to jobs at Ford’s Blue Oval City, a massive production plant slated to open in 2028.
Rural homes and turn-of-the-century subdivisions
Brighton has a mix of subdivisions and homes on spacious rural lots. “I’m seeing a lot of people building homes on parcels that are 1 to 5 acres. That’s more common than the subdivisions,” says Jeff Hatchett, a Realtor with Bryan Realty Group with six years of experience. The median lot size in the community is nearly an acre, and several properties that are larger than that are available. These homes are often on winding roads with tall trees on one side and open fields and farmland on the other. Subdivisions in the community include neighborhoods like Woodlawn Plantation and McAlister Place. These communities often have brick New Traditional and ranch-style houses from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The median sales price for a single-family home in Brighton is around $300,000, lower than in the nearby communities of Munford , about $315,000, and Atoka , which is around $480,000. The community's CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10 is lower than the national average of 4.
Centrally located schools with above-average ratings
Brighton Elementary School gets a B from Niche, Brighton Middle School earns a B-plus and Brighton High School receives a B-minus. All three schools are located in the heart of the community along Route 51. High school students can take dual enrollment courses through the University of Tennessee at Martin, Dyersburg State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. The high school also offers clubs like robotics, Future Farmers of America and cornhole.
Local favorites and national chains line Highway 51
While Brighton offers little shopping and dining, the nearby towns of Atoka and Munford have plenty of stores and restaurants. Las Margaritas is a regional chain of Mexican restaurants with a location on Highway 51. The colorful spot is known for its friendly service and traditional Mexican dishes. Outlaw Bar-B-Que serves ribs, brisket and fried catfish in a no-frills dining room on McLaughlin Drive. Several chains, like Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s, are also in the area. Groceries are available at Kroger. Farther south in Millington , there are stores like Walmart, Lowe’s and T.J. Maxx.
Outdoor fun includes sports and water activities
Brighton City Park is a small green space on School Street with baseball fields, picnic shelters and a playground. The town hosts youth and adult sports leagues, including softball and basketball. Boating and fishing are popular outdoor activities on the nearby Hatchie River. Nearby boat ramps are available north of the community on Highway 51 or state Route 54. Glenn Springs Lake is a 310-acre lake about 11 miles west of town with boat ramps and fishing piers. The lake is known for its largemouth bass and crappie.
Brighton Bash and Fall Festival offer food and fun
Multiple community events bring neighbors together throughout the year. Brighton Bash is held at the city park in July and features food trucks, a petting zoo, a kickball tournament and other games. The town comes together again in autumn for the Fall Festival, which includes live entertainment, a silent auction, kids’ games and more food vendors.
Easy access to Memphis and local hospital services
Highway 51 is the main road through town and offers a straight shot into downtown Memphis , about 30 miles away. State Route 14 also passes by the community and leads into Memphis. Health care is available at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Covington , about 5 miles northeast of town.
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Matthew Atkins
