Thornton, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thornton, Iowa had a total population of 514, the 468th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $67,031, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
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 | 534 | 514 | -3.7% |
| Median household income | $66,979 | $67,031 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $99,000 | $115,500 | +16.7% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Thornton Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cerro Gordo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | 12.0% | $142,000 |
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | 8.3% | $259,500 |
| Nora Springs | 1,363 | $78,594 | 5.3% | $134,500 |
| Rockwell | 986 | $60,982 | 14.8% | $163,300 |
| Ventura | 733 | $91,944 | 5.7% | $389,500 |
| Plymouth | 407 | $80,000 | 13.0% | $125,700 |
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | 31.7% | $50,800 |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | 4.7% | $62,900 |
| Rock Falls | 119 | $71,042 | 5.9% | $156,300 |
| Dougherty | 88 | $45,500 | 8.0% | $50,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burt | 511 | $66,750 | $75,000 | 13.5% | 18.8% |
| Stanton | 522 | $66,667 | $113,400 | 21.1% | 9.4% |
| Silver City | 504 | $67,250 | $156,800 | 10.7% | 19.8% |
| Moulton | 498 | $66,250 | $81,800 | 26.0% | 15.9% |
| Collins | 533 | $67,500 | $159,200 | 15.9% | 10.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 514, Thornton's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Thornton is a small community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 514. It ranks as the 468th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thornton is 34.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thornton is $67,031. This is 11% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $115,500. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Thornton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thornton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.1%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thornton, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Thornton, Iowa has a population of 514 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thornton, IA?
The median household income in Thornton is $67,031, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thornton, IA?
The poverty rate in Thornton is 9.3%. This means approximately 48 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thornton, Iowa?
Thornton's population is 88.9% White, 0.0% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thornton, IA?
The median home value in Thornton is $115,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Thornton, Iowa?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Thornton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.