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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Thornton

Iowa · 426 residents · 1.244 sq mi
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The short version

Thornton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $23,942. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $23,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 37.2
US median: 33.0
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
426
+1%vs 2000
vs 422 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
37.2
−12%vs 2000
vs 42.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
3874274675075471990201020202024Thornton
2024514
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 57.5%(32)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 95.2%(22)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 148%(34)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 194.7%(20)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 243.5%(15)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3417.4%(74)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4412.2%(52)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 545.2%(22)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 6412.9%(55)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 7413.8%(59)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 848.7%(37)
US avg: 4%
85 and over0.9%(4)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$23,942
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $35,125 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,249
−32%vs 2000
vs $16,622 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
7.0%
−4.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.0% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$23,800
−32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $45,800 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$252
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $239 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
71.6%
−8.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 79.8% in 2000
28.4% rent
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%
1990
White, non-Hispanic100%(426)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican4.5%(23)
Puerto Rican3.7%(19)
Guatemalan0.2%(1)
Asian origin
Filipino0.2%(1)
Ancestry
German42.4%(218)
Norwegian10.5%(54)
Czech5.8%(30)
Irish5.6%(29)
Swedish4.7%(24)
American4.5%(23)
English3.5%(18)
Danish1.2%(6)
French1.2%(6)
Italian1.2%(6)
Swiss1%(5)
+ 8 more ancestry groups with data
Welsh1%(5)
Dutch0.4%(2)
Polish0.4%(2)
Russian0.4%(2)
Belgian0.2%(1)
British0.2%(1)
Greek0.2%(1)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest Norwegian population · Largest Czech population · Largest Irish population · Largest Swedish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.6%
−6.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 17.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
85.8%
−3.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 89.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
2.0%
+0.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 1.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+64%vs 2000
vs 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married34.9%(74)
Married59.9%(127)
Widowed0.5%(1)
Divorced4.7%(10)
Women 15+
Never married20.2%(40)
Married69.2%(137)
Widowed4%(8)
Divorced6.6%(13)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

Places similar to Thornton

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Pop 406
Houston
Pop 405
Day
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Harold
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Places similar to Thornton
Head to head

Compare Thornton to nearby cities

THORNTON VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+171%
Home value$142,000+497%
Population26,853+6768%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Waverly
Income$80,284+235%
Home value$223,300+838%
Population10,561+2601%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+170%
Home value$157,500+562%
Population18,217+4559%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THORNTON VS
Fort Dodge
Income$60,649+153%
Home value$144,100+505%
Population24,837+6252%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Thornton, Iowa?

Thornton, Iowa has about 426 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Thornton, Iowa?

The typical household in Thornton, Iowa earns about $23,942 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 $23,800, and the typical rent is about $252 a month.

How educated are people in Thornton, Iowa?

About 11.6% 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 7.0% of people in Thornton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →