Thornton, Colorado Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Thornton, Colorado is 142,878 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 6th-largest city in Colorado. The median household income is $100,985, the median home value is $482,200, and the median age is 34.3.
The population has grown 22.9% since 2010 (119,391 → 146,689).
142,878
Population
3912
People / sq mi
$100,985
Median Income
$482,200
Median Home Value
Get Thornton's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Thornton covers 36.5 sq mi of land at 3912 people per square mile.
About Thornton, CO
Age is the most distinctive thing about Thornton: a median age of 34.3, younger than the national median. With 142,878 residents, Thornton is a city in Colorado. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Colorado in the country, at #6 by population.
Median household income is $100,985, above the US median of $78,538. About 4.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $482,200, with typical rent around $1,810.
32.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. About 13.8% of the workforce is home-based, close to the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 31 minutes each way.
Thornton city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Thornton city had a population of 119,391 in 2010 and 146,689 in 2024, a 22.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 146,689 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.48%.
146,689
Population (2024)
119,391
Population (2010)
146,689
Peak (2024)
1.48%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 119,391 |
| 2011 | 121,911 |
| 2012 | 124,361 |
| 2013 | 127,022 |
| 2014 | 129,479 |
| 2015 | 132,176 |
| 2016 | 134,574 |
| 2017 | 136,777 |
| 2018 | 139,352 |
| 2019 | 141,464 |
| 2020 | 142,191 |
| 2021 | 142,942 |
| 2022 | 143,459 |
| 2023 | 145,533 |
| 2024 | 146,689 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 63.5% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$100,985
Median Household Income
$41,869
Per Capita Income
4.8%
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$482,200
Median Home Value
$1,810
Median Rent
73.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
87.9%
High School+
32.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.9%
Drive Alone
72.5%
Public Transit
13.8%
Work From Home
30.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
33.2%
Foreign Born
73.1%
Non-English at Home
6.4%
Veterans
10.1%
With Disability
90.5%
Health Insurance
98.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 18.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 12.1% |
| Construction | 10.4% |
| Manufacturing | 8.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.0% |
| Retail Trade | 7.3% |
| Information | 5.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.5% |
| Public Administration | 5.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.3% |
Largest cities in Colorado
Largest counties in Colorado
Part of Colorado
Metro areas in Colorado
City rankings
Common questions about Thornton, CO
Frequently Asked Questions
Thornton, Colorado has a population of 142,878 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 6th-largest city in Colorado.
The median household income in Thornton, Colorado is $100,985, with 4.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Thornton, Colorado is $482,200, with median monthly rent at $1,810 and a homeownership rate of 73.1%.
The median age in Thornton, Colorado is 34.3 years. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
The population has grown 22.9% since 2010 (119,391 → 146,689).
Where to stay in Thornton
Visiting or relocating to Thornton, CO? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from Colorado
Population 713,734
Population 483,099
Population 390,201
Population 169,705
Population 156,309
Full rankings of Colorado cities by population
Statewide data for Colorado
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Colorado
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.