Thornton, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thornton, Colorado had a total population of 144,187, the 6th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $103,088, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Thornton Quick Facts
How Thornton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 144,187 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $103,088 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $482,200 | $517,500 | +7.3% |
How Thornton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Thornton Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce City | 66,445 | $111,972 | 8.6% | $499,700 |
| Brighton | 42,059 | $107,679 | 9.3% | $499,500 |
| Northglenn | 38,014 | $84,030 | 10.2% | $462,100 |
| Sherrelwood | 18,692 | $75,327 | 10.7% | $432,200 |
| Welby | 16,197 | $80,026 | 12.6% | $385,000 |
| Federal Heights | 14,125 | $56,597 | 24.2% | $95,300 |
| Berkley | 10,789 | $84,637 | 14.1% | $468,100 |
| Lochbuie | 8,609 | $97,009 | 7.7% | $423,000 |
| Derby | 8,453 | $82,138 | 8.1% | $353,000 |
| Twin Lakes (Adams County) | 8,030 | $95,583 | 9.8% | $587,500 |
Cities Similar to Thornton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 156,583 | $89,792 | $574,400 | 45.3% | 9.2% |
| Arvada | 122,634 | $117,348 | $632,600 | 51.5% | 5.8% |
| Westminster | 115,484 | $100,272 | $532,400 | 44.6% | 7.3% |
| Fort Collins | 170,229 | $85,070 | $577,900 | 60.7% | 15.8% |
| Boulder | 106,433 | $87,493 | $1,039,500 | 76.8% | 21.4% |
Population Overview
Thornton is a major urban center located in Colorado, within Adams County. The total population is 144,187. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thornton is 34.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thornton is $103,088. This is 8% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 28% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $517,500. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Thornton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (37.6% vs 22.5%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.2% vs 3.2%).
Education
32.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% 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, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Thornton, Colorado?
Thornton, Colorado has a population of 144,187 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thornton, CO?
The median household income in Thornton is $103,088, which is 28% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thornton, CO?
The poverty rate in Thornton is 7.0%. This means approximately 10,036 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thornton, Colorado?
Thornton's population is 50.2% White, 2.0% Black, 37.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thornton, CO?
The median home value in Thornton is $517,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Thornton, Colorado?
32.8% of adults (25+) in Thornton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.