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Thornton city, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Thornton city, Colorado has a total population of 142,878, the 6th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $100,985, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.

Thornton city Quick Facts

Population 142,878
Median Household Income $100,985
Median Home Value $482,200
Poverty Rate 7.3%
Unemployment Rate 4.6%
Median Age 34.3 years
Homeownership Rate 73.1%
Affordability Ratio 4.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 32.2%
High School Graduation Rate 87.9%
Diversity Index 60/100
Population 142,878 6th of 471
Median Income $100,985 top 30%
Poverty Rate 7.3% 41% lower national
Median Home Value $482,200 above average

How Thornton city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.5% | National: 5.2%
74.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 73.1%
Renter 26.9%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

60out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 51 | National average: 60

Education

Thornton city Rankings in Colorado

#6 Population of 471
#123 Median Income of 471
#232 Education of 471
#154 Home Value of 471

Explore Colorado Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Thornton city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Lakewood city156,309$85,789$548,20045.3%9.1%
Arvada city122,835$113,396$600,80050.0%6.0%
Westminster city115,546$96,145$497,40044.0%7.0%
Fort Collins city169,705$83,598$548,40059.9%16.0%
Boulder city106,274$85,364$982,60076.8%21.8%

Population Overview

Thornton city is a major urban center located in Colorado. The total population is 142,878. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 471 cities and towns in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Thornton city is 34.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Thornton city is $100,985. This is 9% higher than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $482,200. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Thornton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (37.4% vs 22.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.7% vs 3.2%).

Education

32.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 44.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Thornton city, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 471 Census-designated places in Colorado. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Colorado city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Thornton city, Colorado?

Thornton city, Colorado has a population of 142,878 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Thornton city is $100,985, which is 29% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Thornton city, CO?

The poverty rate in Thornton city is 7.3%. This means approximately 10,345 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Thornton city, Colorado?

Thornton city's population is 50.4% White, 1.9% Black, 37.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.

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

The median home value in Thornton city is $482,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.

How educated is Thornton city, Colorado?

32.2% of adults (25+) in Thornton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.