Thornton, CO

Census Place

Add Comparison

2021 Population

140,538

2.53% 1-year decline

US Senator

Michael Bennet

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Hickenlooper

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

33.7

0.597% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

8.23%

3.1% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$86,818

7.54% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$376,900

7.99% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Thornton, CO had a population of 141k people with a median age of 33.7 and a median household income of $86,818. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Thornton, CO declined from 144,186 to 140,538, a −2.53% decrease and its median household income grew from $80,732 to $86,818, a 7.54% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Thornton, CO are White (Non-Hispanic) (52.7%), White (Hispanic) (19.8%), Two+ (Hispanic) (9.27%), Other (Hispanic) (6.53%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.06%).

None of the households in Thornton, CO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

91.4% of the residents in Thornton, CO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Thornton, CO are Empire Beauty School-Thornton (45 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Thornton, CO was $376,900, and the homeownership rate was 72.6%.

Most people in Thornton, CO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Thornton, CO was 2 cars per household.

United States Colorado Adams County, CO Weld County, CO Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Greeley, CO Longmont City & Erie Town PUMA, CO Broomfield, Jefferson (Northeast), Adams (Northwest) & Boulder (Southeast) Counties PUMA, CO Westminster & Northglenn Cities PUMA, CO Thornton & Federal Heights Cities PUMA, CO Commerce City & Brighton Cities PUMA, CO

Population & Diversity

Thornton, CO is home to a population of 141k people, from which 91.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 13.8% of Thornton, CO residents were born outside of the country (19.4k people).

In 2021, there were 2.66 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (74.1k people) in Thornton, CO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.8k White (Hispanic) and 13k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

91.4%

2021 Citizenship

91.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 91.4% of Thornton, CO residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Thornton, CO was 91.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Thornton, CO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Thornton, CO

White (Non-Hispanic)
74.1k ± 2.19k
White (Hispanic)
27.8k ± 1.8k
Two+ (Hispanic)
13k ± 1.77k

36.7%

Hispanic Population

51.6k people

36.7% of the people in Thornton, CO are hispanic (51.6k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Thornton, CO as a share of the total population.

Foreign-Born Population

13.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

19.4k people

13.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

19.1k people

As of 2021, 13.8% of Thornton, CO residents (19.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Thornton, CO was 13.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Thornton, CO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,979 ± 296
Gulf War (2001-)
1,889 ± 383
Gulf War (1990s)
1,561 ± 378

Thornton, CO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.05 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Thornton, CO employs 74.4k people. The largest industries in Thornton, CO are Retail Trade (8,844 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,599 people), and Construction (7,924 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($89,125), Utilities ($84,424), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($80,167).

Employment

Occupations

74.4k

2021 Value

± 2,296

−2%

1 Year decline

± 4.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Thornton, CO declined at a rate of −2%, from 75.9k employees to 74.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Thornton, CO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,033 people), Management Occupations (7,646 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (7,610 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Thornton, CO.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Colorado (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

74.4k

2021 Value

± 2,296

−2%

1 Year decline

± 4.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Thornton, CO declined at a rate of −2%, from 75.9k employees to 74.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Thornton, CO, are Retail Trade (8,844 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,599 people), and Construction (7,924 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Thornton, CO, though some of these residents may live in Thornton, CO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$54,327

Median earning men ± $1,208

$37,274

Median earning women ± $1,631

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($79,832), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($73,178), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($71,110).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($96,896), Public Administration ($57,778), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,813).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Colorado. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Colorado.

View Full Dashboard

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Colorado to other states, or from other states to Colorado.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Mixed freight
$23.8B
Coal-n.e.c.
$17.7B
Machinery
$15.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Colorado product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $23.8B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($17.7B) and Machinery ($15.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Colorado products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Colorado.

$207B

2020 Value in Colorado

$434B

Projected 2050 Value in Colorado

110% growth

In 2020, total outbound Colorado trade was $207B. This is expected to increase 110% to $434B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Colorado trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Colorado to other states, or from other states to Colorado.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$9.69B
Texas
$8.1B
Wyoming
$8.09B

In 2020, the top outbound Colorado domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $9.69B, followed by Texas with $8.1B and Wyoming and $8.09B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Colorado shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Colorado went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 55% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.6%).

Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are the senators currently representing the state of Colorado. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Colorado is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Thornton, CO. Showing the available data for Colorado.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (55%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (41.6%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.6%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Colorado went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 55% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.6%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Colorado for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Colorado

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Colorado.

Michael Bennet

Senator from Colorado

Assumed office on January 21, 2009
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Ken Salazar, who had become Secretary of the Interior.

John Hickenlooper

Senator from Colorado

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are the senators currently representing Colorado.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Colorado over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Colorado

Colorado is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Colorado have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Thornton, CO awarded 45 degrees. The student population of Thornton, CO in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1 male students and 83 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Thornton, CO are Hispanic or Latino (17 and 37.8%), followed by White (16 and 35.6%), Unknown (6 and 13.3%), and Two or More Races (3 and 6.67%).

The largest universities in Thornton, CO by number of degrees awarded are Empire Beauty School-Thornton (45 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Thornton, CO are General Cosmetology (45 and 100%).

Completions

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Colorado.

Measure

In 2021, 0.83% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.785% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Colorado.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Bachelors Degree (1.12M), Some college (999k), and High School or Equivalent (988k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Thornton, CO was $376,900 in 2021, which is 1.54 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $349,000 to $376,900, a 7.99% increase. The homeownership rate in Thornton, CO is 72.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Thornton, CO have an average commute time of 31.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Thornton, CO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Thornton, CO is $86,818. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Thornton, CO was Census Tract 85.51 with a value of $157,526, followed by Census Tract 612 and Census Tract 85.44, with respective values of $152,083 and $131,083.

Property

$376,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,582

$34,549

Median Property Taxes

±$1,397

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Thornton, CO the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Thornton, CO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

72.6%

Homeownership

2021

71.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 72.6% of the housing units in Thornton, CO were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 72.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Thornton, CO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 85.51
Census Tract 612
Census Tract 85.44

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Thornton, CO was Census Tract 85.51 with a value of $157,526, followed by Census Tract 612 and Census Tract 85.44, with respective values of $152,083 and $131,083.

The following map shows all of the places in Thornton, CO colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$86,818

Median Household Income

± $2,717

47.6k

Number of Households

± 1,761

In 2021, the median household income of the 47.6k households in Thornton, CO grew to $86,818 from the previous year's value of $80,732.

The following chart displays the households in Thornton, CO distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Thornton, CO is from Colorado.

0.465

2021 Wage GINI in Colorado

0.467

2020 Wage GINI in Colorado

In 2021, the income inequality in Colorado was 0.465 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.376% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Colorado was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Colorado in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Colorado across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (75.6%)
Worked At Home (10.1%)
Carpooled (9.99%)

In 2021, 75.6% of workers in Thornton, CO drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.1%) and those who carpooled to work (9.99%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

31.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Thornton, CO have a longer commute time (31.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.79% of the workforce in Thornton, CO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Thornton, CO compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Thornton, CO distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Thornton, CO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

8.23% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Thornton, CO (11.5k out of 140k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Thornton, CO is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

90.7% of the population of Thornton, CO has health coverage, with 54.8% on employee plans, 17.9% on Medicaid, 7.04% on Medicare, 10.3% on non-group plans, and 0.672% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Adams County, CO see 2129 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.84% decrease from the previous year (2169 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1485 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 271 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Adams County, CO.

2,129 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Adams County, CO

Primary care physicians in Adams County, CO see an average of 2,129 patients per year. This represents a 1.84% decrease from the previous year (2,169 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Adams County, CO in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.7% under 18 years, 23.6% between 18 and 34 years, 38.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 9.45% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.8% were men and 50.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.26%

Uninsured

54.8%

Employer Coverage

17.9%

Medicaid

7.04%

Medicare

10.3%

Non-Group

0.672%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Thornton, CO grew by 3.88% from 8.91% to 9.26%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Thornton, CO changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.