Brighton, Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brighton is a city in Livingston County, the fastest growing county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,701, although the greater Brighton area includes a population approximately 80,000, including the city and four surrounding townships. Brighton is one of two cities in Livingston County and incorporates land that had formerly been parts of Brighton Township, Green Oak Township, and Genoa Township. Although the municipal boundaries do not include any of Hamburg Township, it is considered to be part of the greater Brighton area. The city of Brighton's wastewater treatment plant facility is located in Hamburg Township and services the city of Brighton and parts of Genoa, Brighton, and Hamburg townships. The city's two water plants also services both the city and parts of Genoa, Brighton and Hamburg townships.

Fire service for the city is provided through a separate governmental entity called the Brighton Area Fire Authority, which also services the Townships of Brighton and Genoa.

Library services for the city is provided through a separate governmental entity called the Brighton District Library, which also services the townships of Brighton, Genoa and Green Oak.

Recreation services for the city is provided through a separate governmental entity called the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority, which also services the townships of Brighton, Genoa and Green Oak, as well as the Brighton Area Schools.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Popular culture
4 Notable residents
5 Schools
6 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 km² (3.7 mi²). 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (3.22%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 6,701 people, 3,103 households, and 1,746 families residing in the city. The population density was 716.7/km² (1,857.0/mi²). There were 3,241 housing units at an average density of 346.6/km² (898.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.61% White, 0.34% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 3,103 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.7% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,897, and the median income for a family was $62,222. Males had a median income of $48,554 versus $30,877 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,393. About 3.0% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Popular culture

In the fifth episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (105), the character Harriet Hayes (played by actress Sarah Paulson) says that she was born in Brighton, Michigan.

In Aspen Extreme the movie begins in Brighton, Michigan with the two main characters being maintenance staff at the local ski hill, Mt. Brighton.

The 1987 Horror film, The Gate, starring a young Stephen Dorff, had its world premier at the Brighton Cinemas in Brighton, the producers decided to have the official premier in a town called Hell, Michigan, but Brighton was the nearest town with a Theater large enough to hold the event. Dorff and the other stars of the movie attended the premier.

[edit] Notable residents

Kinsley S. Bingham - Bingham was elected as the first Republican Governor of Michigan in 1854 and was re-elected in 1856; he was the first Republican to be elected Governor of any state. He was known as the farmer-governor of Michigan and was instrumental in establishing the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan (today, Michigan State University). Actively campaigned for Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election. Bingham was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1858 and served in the 36th and 37th Congresses from March 4, 1859, until his death on October 5, 1861, he is interred in Old Village Cemetery in Brighton.

Drew Henson - starred as a high school football and baseball player at Brighton High School, setting a national record for home runs hit, went on to play quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines, and briefly played for the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, he is currently on the Minnesota Vikings as a 3rd string quarterback

Denny McLain - Star pitcher for the 1968 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers, and 1968 and 1968 Cy Young award winner resides in the Brighton area.

Mickey Stanley - Very popular outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, and famous for switching to Shortstop in the 1968 World Series has lived in the Brighton area since 1978.

Danny Spanos - Had hit album "passion in the dark" in 1983, and a hit single off the album called "Hot Cherie" . He also played drums for Redbone, a band most famous for its hit single "come and get your love" in the 1970s, at the time going under his given name "George Spannos".

[edit] Schools

The Brighton School District consists of nine schools. An early childhood center houses all kindergarten students; five elementary schools contain grades one through five; two middle schools educate students in grades six through eighth; and the high school takes in grades nine through twelve.

Misc.

Miller Early Childhood Center;

Brighton Adult Alternative Education Program-- provides an alternative high school to Brighton Area Schools as well as the surrounding area; in addition, it provides high school completion and GED testing to students of all ages.