Below is a concise, decision-useful environmental and social profile for the Town of Brighton (Monroe County), New York. (Note: “Brighton” is sometimes used for different geographies in datasets; the sources cited here are explicitly for Brighton town, Monroe County.) (Census.gov)
Brighton at a glance
- Type / context: Inner-ring suburb immediately southeast of the City of Rochester, embedded in the Rochester metro and its infrastructure systems (transportation, water, employment).
- Population & core socioeconomic indicators: Brighton town’s baseline population, income, poverty, and education figures are best referenced through the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts (ACS-based). (Census.gov)
Environmental profile
1) Land use, green space, and ecological structure
- Suburban build pattern with significant neighborhood tree canopy and park assets (as documented in Brighton’s sustainability planning history). (brightonny.gov)
- Key linear green/blue infrastructure: Connections to regional trail networks and corridors that function as recreation, habitat connectivity, and (in places) stormwater conveyance pathways:
- Erie Canalway / Empire State Trail segment nearby (Rochester–Fairport corridor). (Empire State Trail)
- Brighton’s Highland Crossing Trail is designed as a connector between the Erie Canal Heritage Trail and other major parks/trails, with explicit intent to preserve an existing wetland area. (brightonny.gov)
2) Watersheds, stormwater, and water quality drivers
- Irondequoit Creek / Irondequoit Bay watershed influence: Brighton lies within a watershed where nutrient loading and eutrophication have been persistent concerns downstream in Irondequoit Bay (algal blooms, oxygen depletion dynamics). (Monroe County)
- State/agency watershed assessments in this basin identify impairments and the need for restoration/protection strategies in connected shoreline/watershed segments. (ExtApps DEC)
- Implication for Brighton: stormwater management quality and volume (runoff from roads, parking, lawns; streambank erosion) is a primary local lever for downstream outcomes.
3) Climate action and emissions posture
- Brighton is actively developing a Climate Action Plan addressing community-wide and municipal GHG/energy reduction goals. (Brighton Climate Action Plan)
- The town has an established sustainability planning lineage (e.g., the Green Brighton Task Force report), which frames Brighton as well-positioned for leadership due to its “first-ring suburb” characteristics and transportation access. (brightonny.gov)
4) Key environmental risks to track (Brighton-specific framing)
Even without a full hazard model in this brief, Brighton’s likely “top risk” categories (based on its watershed context and suburban form) are:
- Pluvial flooding and basement flooding (intense rainfall + impervious surfaces + aging drainage).
- Stream/creek erosion and sediment/nutrient transport affecting Irondequoit Bay outcomes. (Monroe County)
- Heat (tree canopy distribution, vulnerable populations, and built surface area).
- Transportation emissions (commute patterns, arterial corridors, and commercial nodes).
Social profile
1) Demographics, households, and education
- For a credible baseline, use Census QuickFacts (Brighton town, Monroe County) for population, age distribution, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, income, poverty, and housing characteristics. (Census.gov)
- Practical takeaway: Brighton’s social planning capacity is relatively strong (institutional capacity, civic participation, and planning infrastructure are repeatedly emphasized in town sustainability materials). (brightonny.gov)
2) Housing and cost-of-living pressure points
Typical Brighton-relevant lenses to apply (validate with current ACS/QuickFacts metrics and local housing reports):
- Affordability / housing diversity: availability of smaller units, accessible housing, and options for aging-in-place.
- Energy burden: the share of households for whom utility costs are a disproportionate burden—often an equity-sensitive climate metric (and a common CAP focus area). (Brighton Climate Action Plan)
3) Mobility, access, and public health
- Mobility assets: proximity to Rochester job/health systems plus regional trail connectivity (Erie Canalway/Empire Trail and Brighton’s connector trails). (Empire State Trail)
- Public health co-benefits: tree canopy, active transportation, and stormwater/creek restoration can be framed as health interventions (heat mitigation, air quality, recreation access, mental health).
Equity and environmental justice considerations (Brighton-specific)
A strong Brighton profile should explicitly map:
- Heat and canopy inequities by neighborhood (tree cover vs. imperviousness).
- Flooding and drainage complaints (where repeated losses occur).
- Proximity to high-traffic corridors (noise/air quality exposure).
- Access to parks/trails (walkability and safe crossings).
Brighton’s Climate Action Plan process is an appropriate vehicle to embed these distributional metrics and track progress transparently. (Brighton Climate Action Plan)
What Brighton is already doing (signals of capacity)
- Formal Climate Action Plan development and public-facing engagement materials. (Brighton Climate Action Plan)
- Planning and projects that explicitly integrate wetlands/trails and preservation goals (Highland Crossing Trail). (brightonny.gov)
- A history of town-level sustainability recommendations and governance attention (Green Brighton Task Force report). (brightonny.gov)
Priority opportunities (high-leverage, Brighton-fit)
- Watershed-first stormwater strategy: target phosphorus/nutrient and sediment reduction via green infrastructure, retrofits of parking lots/arterials, streambank stabilization, and neighborhood rain-garden programs—explicitly linked to Irondequoit Bay outcomes. (Monroe County)
- Neighborhood-scale electrification + efficiency: pair municipal leadership (buildings/fleet) with community programs; emphasize energy burden reduction as a co-equal objective with GHG reduction. (Brighton Climate Action Plan)
- Shade + safety mobility network: connect schools, commercial nodes (e.g., Twelve Corners area), and parks with safe crossings, shade trees, and continuous walking/biking routes—leveraging existing trail connectors. (brightonny.gov)
- Nature-based heat and health plan: set canopy targets, prioritize plantings where heat risk and vulnerability overlap, and track progress publicly.
A practical indicator set (what to measure quarterly/annually)
If you want this profile to function as a “living dashboard,” start with:
- Water: modeled/monitored runoff volume; phosphorus reduction estimates; streambank erosion sites addressed; percent impervious surface retrofitted. (Tie narrative to Irondequoit Bay eutrophication.) (Monroe County)
- Climate/energy: community-wide emissions estimate; municipal energy use; EV adoption; building permits with electrification/efficiency. (Brighton Climate Action Plan)
- Heat/canopy: tree canopy coverage and change; heat-vulnerability hotspots.
- Housing: affordability metrics; energy burden proxy; age-in-place accessibility. (Census.gov)
- Mobility: mode share proxy, crash hotspots, trail access within a 10–15 minute walk.
If you want, I can turn this into (1) a one-page “Brighton Environmental & Social Profile” handout and (2) a more technical appendix with a starter data dictionary (exact fields, likely data sources, and update cadence).
Yes to (1). Please include actual numbers for population and other important metrics, rather than just referencing where they can be found
Below is a one-page Environmental and Social Profile: Brighton, New York (Town; Monroe County) with actual numerical data from the most recent available sources. All figures reflect the town immediately southeast of Rochester.
Brighton, New York — Environmental & Social Profile (One-Pager)
1. Overview
Location: Town of Brighton, Monroe County, New York (suburb of Rochester).
Land area: approx. 15.4 square miles (40.0 km²).
Population (2023 estimate): 36,633 residents.
Population density: ~2,377 people per square mile. (Census Reporter)
2. Social Profile
Population & Demographics
- Total population (2023 est.): 36,633. (Census Reporter)
- Median age: 39.1 years. (Data USA)
- Households: 15,904. (Census.gov)
- Persons per household: 2.16. (Census.gov)
Age Distribution (approximate):
- Under 18: ~19.5%
- 18 to 64 (working age): ~61%
- 65 and older: ~19.5% (Neilsberg)
Economic Indicators
- Median household income: $83,723 (2023). (Census.gov)
- Per capita income: $60,391 (2019–2023). (Census.gov)
- Poverty rate: 8.4%. (Census.gov)
Housing
- Owner-occupied housing rate: 56.3%. (Census.gov)
- Median home value: $259,300 (2019–2023). (Census.gov)
- Median monthly rent: $1,272. (Census.gov)
Education & Workforce
- High school graduate or higher: 96.4% (age 25+). (Census.gov)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 69.6% (age 25+). (Census.gov)
- Civilian labor force participation: 65.8%. (Census.gov)
Internet & Technology
- Households with computers: 95.2%. (Census.gov)
- Households with broadband: 90.6%. (Census.gov)
3. Environmental Profile
Natural Features & Landscape
- Green Space & Trails: Brighton maintains a suburban tree canopy and multiple park assets connected to larger regional trail networks (e.g., Empire State Trail via Highland Crossing).
- Water bodies: Small inland streams and watersheds that drain to Irondequoit Creek and, ultimately, Irondequoit Bay. Watershed health is a key environmental consideration.
Watershed & Water Quality
- Brighton lies within the Irondequoit Creek watershed. Downstream water quality, particularly in Irondequoit Bay (nutrient loading, algal blooms), is influenced by urban/suburban runoff and stormwater management.
- Stormwater volume and quality (nutrient/sediment loads) are persistent concerns tied to built impervious surfaces.
Climate & Sustainability
- The town is actively developing a Climate Action Plan with emissions reduction goals, energy planning, and community engagement elements.
- Climate risks relevant to Brighton include:
- Intense rain events & localized flooding (impervious surfaces, drainage capacity).
- Urban heat stress (surface heat islands moderated by canopy).
- Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and residential energy use.
4. Selected Environmental & Social Indicators
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Population (2023) | 36,633 (Census Reporter) |
| Median Age | 39.1 yrs (Data USA) |
| Median Household Income | $83,723 (Census.gov) |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% (Census.gov) |
| Persons per Household | 2.16 (Census.gov) |
| High School Graduate+ (25+) | 96.4% (Census.gov) |
| Bachelor’s Degree+ (25+) | 69.6% (Census.gov) |
| Households with Broadband | 90.6% (Census.gov) |
| Tree canopy / green infrastructure | Suburban with multiple parks & trail connectors |
5. Key Challenges & Opportunities
Challenges
- Stormwater management and nutrient runoff affecting Irondequoit watershed health.
- Heat vulnerability variations across built areas.
- Maintaining housing affordability while preserving quality of life.
Opportunities
- Expand nature-based stormwater solutions (rain gardens, bioswales).
- Increase urban canopy in heat-sensitive neighborhoods.
- Strengthen connectivity between neighborhoods, public transit, and regional trails to reduce vehicle emissions.
If you want, I can also prepare a two-page technical dashboard version with tables, charts, and references to all source datasets used here.
Yes
Great — here is a two-page, dashboard-style profile that is ready to drop into a briefing packet, grant appendix, or municipal presentation. I’ve kept it tight, quantitative, and legible for non-technical readers, while making it analytically useful for planners and funders.
I’m treating this as v1 of a “Living Bioregion / Municipal Profile” template, consistent with how you’ve been thinking about Brighton within the Genesee–Finger Lakes system.
Town of Brighton, NY
Environmental & Social Profile (Dashboard v1.0)
Jurisdiction: Brighton
County: Monroe County, New York
Regional context: Inner-ring suburb of Rochester; part of the Irondequoit Creek watershed and Greater Genesee–Finger Lakes bioregion
PAGE 1 — SOCIAL & ECONOMIC SYSTEM
Population & Demographics
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population (2023 est.) | 36,633 |
| Population density | ~2,377 people / sq mi |
| Median age | 39.1 years |
| Under 18 | ~19.5% |
| Age 18–64 | ~61% |
| Age 65+ | ~19.5% |
| Households | 15,904 |
| Persons per household | 2.16 |
Interpretation: Brighton has a balanced age profile with a substantial senior population, making aging-in-place, walkability, and energy affordability particularly important.
Education & Human Capital
| Indicator (age 25+) | Value |
|---|---|
| High school graduate or higher | 96.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 69.6% |
Interpretation: Brighton has exceptionally high educational attainment, positioning it well for innovation, climate leadership, and pilot programs requiring community buy-in and technical literacy.
Income, Employment & Economic Security
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,723 |
| Per capita income | $60,391 |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% |
| Labor force participation | 65.8% |
Interpretation: Overall affluence masks pockets of vulnerability, especially among seniors, renters, and energy-burdened households — a key equity lens for climate and housing policy.
Housing & Cost of Living
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupied housing | 56.3% |
| Median home value | $259,300 |
| Median monthly rent | $1,272 |
Interpretation: Brighton is predominantly owner-occupied, but rising housing and energy costs create pressure for renters and fixed-income households — a strong case for efficiency retrofits and diversified housing options.
Digital Access
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Households with a computer | 95.2% |
| Households with broadband | 90.6% |
Interpretation: High digital connectivity supports data-driven governance, online engagement, and participation in “living dashboard” models.
PAGE 2 — ENVIRONMENTAL & INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM
Land Use & Ecological Structure
- Total land area: ~15.4 sq miles
- Predominantly suburban residential with commercial nodes (e.g., Twelve Corners)
- Significant tree canopy and neighborhood-scale green space
- Trail and greenway connections linking Brighton to regional assets
Key connective infrastructure:
- Proximity to the Empire State Trail via local connectors
- Local trails designed to preserve wetlands and enhance non-motorized mobility
Watershed & Water Quality
- Brighton lies within the Irondequoit Creek watershed, draining north to Irondequoit Bay
- Regional challenges downstream include:
- Nutrient (phosphorus) loading
- Algal blooms and eutrophication
- Sedimentation from upstream runoff
Local drivers in Brighton
- Impervious surfaces (roads, parking lots, roofs)
- Lawn and landscape runoff
- Streambank erosion in smaller tributaries
Implication:
Brighton’s stormwater policies have outsized regional impact on Irondequoit Bay health.
Climate & Energy Context
- Brighton is actively developing a municipal Climate Action Plan
- Primary emissions sources:
- Residential heating (natural gas)
- Transportation (commuting and arterial traffic)
- Key climate risks:
- Intense rainfall & localized flooding
- Urban heat stress
- Aging stormwater infrastructure
Environmental Risk & Opportunity Matrix
| Domain | Risk | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| Stormwater | Flooding, nutrient runoff | Green infrastructure retrofits |
| Heat | Uneven canopy, vulnerable seniors | Tree planting + shade corridors |
| Energy | Rising utility costs | Electrification & efficiency |
| Mobility | Auto dependence | Walk/bike + trail connectivity |
| Water quality | Downstream eutrophication | Watershed-based planning |
High-Leverage Opportunities for Brighton
- Watershed-first stormwater strategy
Rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, and creek restoration tied explicitly to Irondequoit Bay outcomes. - Neighborhood electrification & efficiency
Focus on seniors, renters, and moderate-income households to reduce energy burden and emissions simultaneously. - Tree canopy & heat resilience plan
Target canopy expansion where heat exposure, age, and income vulnerability overlap. - Active mobility spine
Safe, shaded connections between neighborhoods, schools, commercial centers, and regional trails.
Core Indicators for a “Living Brighton Dashboard”
(annual or biennial update cadence)
Social
- Median income & poverty rate
- Energy burden proxy
- Housing affordability
- Senior population distribution
Environmental
- Tree canopy coverage
- Stormwater retrofits completed
- Estimated phosphorus reduction
- Flood complaint hotspots
Climate
- Community-wide emissions estimate
- Residential electrification adoption
- EV registrations per capita
Why Brighton Matters (Bioregional Lens)
Brighton is not just a suburb — it is a leverage point in the Genesee–Finger Lakes system where:
- Local land-use decisions affect regional water quality
- Household energy choices affect statewide climate goals
- Equity-informed design can model what “regenerative suburbia” looks like
Next steps (optional)
If you’d like, I can:
- Convert this into a 2-page PDF with charts and icons
- Align it explicitly with NYS Climate Action Plan metrics
- Map Brighton’s indicators into your Living Bioregion Model framework
- Create a replicable municipal template (Brighton → Pittsford → Henrietta → etc.)