City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Thornton, CO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Thornton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

142,878
Residents
$100,985
Median income
$482,200
Median home
$2,089
Median rent (state)

Thornton - the verdict

Thornton ranks in the 78th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

78th
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
85th
percentile, median rent
15th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Thornton, CO

Thornton is a mid-sized U.S. city in Colorado, home to 142,878 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Thornton households earn a median of $100,985 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.8%. Thornton's housing stock carries a median value of $482,200, and the median resident age is 34.3 years. 32.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 70.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 247 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 72% from five years earlier. Thornton's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3109.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 103.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,089 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $202 across Colorado, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 26.6 minutes, with 72.5% driving alone and 13.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 34.7 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

142,878 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$100,985 /yr

Poverty 4.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Thornton compare to other US cities?

Here's how Thornton stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 78% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 85% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Colorado, Thornton ranks #88 of 116 Colorado cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Thornton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Colorado only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Colorado-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of Colorado's city distribution

Among the 388 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Thornton ranks #147 - the 62nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Thornton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#115 of 379
70th percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#44 of 408
57th percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#147 of 388
62nd percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#203 of 408
49th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#211 of 408
48th percentile in Colorado

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Colorado only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

78thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

78th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Thornton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Thornton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
Thornton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Thornton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$482,200 16th percentile more affordable than 16% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Thornton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Thornton, CO Thornton, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Thornton, CO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Thornton, CO median $100,985/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Thornton, CO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Thornton, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 70.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
142,878
Median Income
$100,985
Median Home Value
$482,200
Median Age
34.3
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor force participation
70.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3109.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
273.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2835.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
40
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
140,000 residents142,000 residents144,000 residents146,000 residents148,000 residents150,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 142,162 residents 147,766 residents ▲ +3.9%
Thornton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
247
housing units authorized
Single-Family
166
detached homes
Multifamily
81
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 880
2020 867
2021 1,148
2022 875
2023 758
2024 247

Permit volume decreased 72% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.6 minutes
Drive Alone
72.5%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
13.8%
Other
1.0%

Based on 76,716 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Colorado - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$202
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Colorado state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Colorado state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Thornton sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,089/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
34.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Lakewood
156,309 people
Arvada
122,835 people
Fort Collins
169,705 people
Westminster
115,546 people
Pueblo
111,514 people
Greeley
109,421 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Thornton's 142,878 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Visalia, CA
142,649 people
Torrance, CA
143,499 people
Gainesville, FL
143,611 people
Olathe, KS
143,720 people
McAllen, TX
143,789 people
Waco, TX
141,925 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Thornton's $100,985 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Roanoke, TX
$100,986 median income
Glen Acres, NM
$100,982 median income
Neotsu, OR
$100,982 median income
Ossining, NY
$100,997 median income
Johnson Siding, SD
$100,972 median income
Romoland, CA
$101,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Thornton, CO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Thornton, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 63.5% 8.5% 19.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 37.4% White 63.5% Black or African American 2.2% Asian 5.8% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.5% Two or more races 19.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Thornton compares to nearby Colorado cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Thornton (this city) 142,878 $100,985
Lakewood 156,309 $85,789
Arvada 122,835 $113,396
Fort Collins 169,705 $83,598
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Thornton, CO?

What is the population of Thornton, CO? +

The population of Thornton, CO stands at 142,878 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Thornton, CO? +

Thornton households earn a median of $100,985 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Thornton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Thornton; the closest available measure is the Colorado state average, a cost of living index of 103.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Colorado vary by metro area.

Is Thornton, CO safe? +

Thornton has a total crime rate of 3109.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Thornton, CO? +

Homes in Thornton carry a median value of $482,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.