Brighton

History

Brighton is a small community that dates back to the early 19th century, when settlers began the transformation of the Illinois prairie into productive farmland. The village was named after Brighton, Massachusetts. A post office was opened in 1837, and the village was incorporated in 1869. Brighton is noted for its local heritage museum. Brighton currently has two restaurants and one traffic signal.

Geography

Brighton is located in southwestern Macoupin County and eastern Jersey County. The village center and most of its area are within Macoupin County. Some rural residents of Madison County have Brighton mailing addresses. Illinois Routes 111 and 267 pass jointly through the west side of the village, leading north to Medora and south to Godfrey. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is to the northeast, while Jerseyville, the Jersey county seat, is to the northwest. According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Brighton has a total area of , of which (or 98.01%) is land and (or 1.99%) is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Southwestern High School
  High · Piasa · 372 students · 12:1 ratio
• Wolf Ridge Education Center
  Elementary · Bunker Hill · 360 students · 13.8:1 ratio
• Brighton North Primary School
  Elementary · Brighton · 305 students · 17.9:1 ratio
• Bunker Hill High School
  High · Bunker Hill · 216 students · 12.7:1 ratio
• Southwestern Middle School
  Middle · Piasa · 189 students · 12.6:1 ratio
• Medora Intermediate School
  Middle · Medora · 175 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Shipman Elem School
  Elementary · Shipman · 169 students · 15.4:1 ratio