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CITY

Thornton

Iowa · 391 residents (2025 est.) · 1.244 sq mi
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The short version

Thornton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $67,031. Population has grown 22% since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $115,500. At a median age of 34.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
514
+22%since 2000
from 422 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
413 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 339 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.5
−18%since 2000
from 42.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:391 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3874274675075471990201020202024Thornton
2024514
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,031
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,125 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,958
+92%since 2000
from $16,622 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.4%
+27.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.299
−30%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information16.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction8.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$115,500
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$839
+93%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $239 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
84.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 79.8% in 2000
16.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
5.7%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.7%
+19.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+32%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Thornton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(414)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(12)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(457)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino9.1%(47)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other1.8%(9)
Diversity Score25.1%(129)
Diversity Score
25
+752%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.2 min
+109%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.6%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.1%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.6%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.1%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 2.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 65.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.6%
−34.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.8%
−46.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.7%
−4.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.9%
−84.0 ptssince 2013
from 86.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.7%
+25.2 ptssince 2017
from 70.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Thornton to nearby cities

THORNTON VS
Mason City
Income$64,804−3%
Home value$142,000+23%
Population26,853+6768%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Waverly
Income$80,284+20%
Home value$223,300+93%
Population10,561+2601%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603−4%
Home value$157,500+36%
Population18,217+4559%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Fort Dodge
Income$60,649−10%
Home value$144,100+25%
Population24,837+6252%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Thornton, Iowa?

Thornton, Iowa has about 514 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Thornton, Iowa?

The typical household in Thornton, Iowa earns about $67,031 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Thornton, Iowa expensive?

In Thornton, Iowa, the median home is worth about $115,500, and the typical rent is about $839 a month.

How educated are people in Thornton, Iowa?

About 17.2% of adults age 25 and over in Thornton, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Thornton, Iowa?

About 9.3% of people in Thornton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Thornton, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Thornton, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 88 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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

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