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CITY · 2020 ACS

Thornton

Colorado · 141,867 residents · 36.504 sq mi
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The short version

Thornton is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $80,732. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 72% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $349,000. At a median age of 34.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.6
US median: 38.8
Average education
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
141,867
+72%since 2000
from 82,384 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,886 / sq mi
+72%since 2000
from 2,257 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.6
+12%since 2000
from 30.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
46K73K100K126K153K1990201020202024Thornton
2024144K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$80,732
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,445 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,589
+52%since 2000
from $21,471 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
54.6%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade10.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3.4%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$349,000
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $152,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,485
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $802 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.5%
−6.2 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
28.5% rent
Afford Score
4.3
+55%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Thornton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.4%(59,635)
Black1.3%(1,106)
Hispanic / Latino21.3%(17,583)
Asian2.4%(2,013)
Other0%
Diversity Score50%(41,218)
2020
White, non-Hispanic51%(72,316)
Black1.9%(2,660)
Hispanic / Latino36.2%(51,392)
Asian5.8%(8,250)
Other3.5%(4,973)
Diversity Score73.9%(104,795)
Diversity Score
74
+48%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.3%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 85.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.5 min
+57%since 2000
from 19.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 79.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 7.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
72.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 76.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.6%
−26.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
50.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
13.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.9%
−74.8 ptssince 2013
from 83.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Thornton

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Pop 142,988
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Places similar to Thornton
Head to head

Compare Thornton to nearby cities

THORNTON VS
Northglenn
Income$84,030+4%
Home value$462,100+32%
Population38,893−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Federal Heights
Income$56,597−30%
Home value$95,300−73%
Population14,075−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Derby
Income$82,138+2%
Home value$353,000+1%
Population8,453−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Welby
Income$80,026−1%
Home value$385,000+10%
Population16,197−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Thornton, Colorado?

Thornton, Colorado has about 141,867 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Thornton, Colorado?

The typical household in Thornton, Colorado earns about $80,732 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Thornton, Colorado expensive?

In Thornton, Colorado, the median home is worth about $349,000, and the typical rent is about $1,485 a month.

How educated are people in Thornton, Colorado?

About 28.3% of adults age 25 and over in Thornton, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Thornton, Colorado?

About 8.5% of people in Thornton, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

Has Thornton, Colorado grown since 1990?

Yes, Thornton, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 86,836 residents, a change of about 158 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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