Thornton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thornton, Illinois had a total population of 1,940, the 511th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,647, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
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 | 1,876 | 1,940 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $61,111 | $59,647 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $146,600 | $155,100 | +5.8% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Thornton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | 16.8% | $334,100 |
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | 9.8% | $273,000 |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | 14.6% | $249,400 |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | 5.7% | $330,400 |
| Evanston | 76,340 | $96,434 | 11.8% | $481,200 |
| Arlington Heights | 76,005 | $116,723 | 6.0% | $414,500 |
| Palatine | 66,293 | $97,819 | 8.2% | $355,600 |
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | 9.7% | $387,200 |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | $97,875 | 6.0% | $335,600 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | 7.3% | $367,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Sterling | 1,980 | $59,087 | $131,200 | 21.5% | 12.3% |
| New Athens | 1,933 | $56,553 | $116,300 | 17.8% | 11.5% |
| Earlville | 1,942 | $63,553 | $142,200 | 9.5% | 16.5% |
| Lacon | 1,916 | $63,162 | $121,900 | 9.7% | 14.8% |
| Jonesboro | 1,870 | $58,500 | $106,400 | 29.2% | 20.9% |
Population Overview
Thornton is a small community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 1,940. It ranks as the 511th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thornton is 44.1 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thornton is $59,647. This is 28% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $155,100. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Thornton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thornton is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.8% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thornton, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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, Illinois?
Thornton, Illinois has a population of 1,940 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thornton, IL?
The median household income in Thornton is $59,647, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thornton, IL?
The poverty rate in Thornton is 15.1%. This means approximately 293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thornton, Illinois?
Thornton's population is 41.4% White, 34.8% Black, 21.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thornton, IL?
The median home value in Thornton is $155,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Thornton, Illinois?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Thornton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.