Thornton, AR

Arkansas

Thornton is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 315. Residents earn $62,917 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
315 Population 164/sq mi density
$62,917 Median Income $26,183 per capita
$57,600 Home Value
$625 Median Rent 10.0% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature 304 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$62,917 median income, 12.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$57,600 home value, $625/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,917
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $57,600
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.0%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 12.7%
253% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.4%
56% higher than US avg

How Thornton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population315
Median Age53.6 yrs
Density164/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 81%
Veterans6.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$62,917
Per Capita$26,183
Unemployment12.7%
Poverty19.4%
County GDP$458M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$57,600
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units139
Rent Burden10.0%

Health

Obesity40.3%
Uninsured10.3%
Smoking16.8%
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F (17°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain57.6 in/yr
Sunny Days304/yr
Elevation297 ft (91 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.0%
High School+85.4%
Graduate+0.3%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 18%
Commute18 min
Broadband99.0%
Libraries2

Is Thornton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thornton receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Thornton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thornton is $62,917, 16% below the national average of $75,149. At 12.7%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 19.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thornton is $57,600, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Thornton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. With 304 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 57.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Thornton has a population of 315 with a density of 164 people per square mile. The median age is 53.6 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81%), with 18.1% Black.

Population

315
Total Population
164
People / sq mi
53.6yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Thornton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Thornton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thornton is $62,917, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 12.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Thornton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,917
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,183
Avg Weekly Wage$1,416
IRS Avg AGI$59,478

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.7%
253% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.4%
56% above US avg
Establishments (County)107
County GDP$458M

Business (County)

Restaurants4
Healthcare4
Retail11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$925
74% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.5 min
Drive Alone83.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Thornton is $57,600, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$57,600
80% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden10.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$700
1 Bedroom$751
2 Bedrooms$944
3 Bedrooms$1,239
4 Bedrooms$1,406

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.2%
Housing Units139
Median Year Built1969

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$925
74% below US avg
Effective Rate1.61%
In Thornton, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.3% of residents lack health insurance. 16.8% are current smokers. 24.5% report depression. 32.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Thornton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure39.7%
Asthma10.9%
COPD7.1%
Cancer6.4%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.8%
20% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.4%
Physical Inactivity32.4%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress14.4%
Short Sleep41.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.0%
Uninsured10.3%
20% above US avg
Checkup Rate78.1%
Dental Visits53.5%
Premature Death17,437/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.3/10
Exercise Access7.3%
Healthcare Facilities4
Thornton has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.6 inches. The area enjoys 304 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.7°F
14% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.6 inches
52% above US avg
Snowfall1.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation297 ft (91 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density164/sq mi
Coordinates33.7749°N, 92.4877°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS05013
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 9.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 61.9-point margin. 99.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80%
D 18.1%

Winner: Republican by 61.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.0%
73% below US avg
High School+85.4%
Graduate Degree+0.3%
School Test Score4.91
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density164/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access99.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities4
Restaurants4
Retail Stores11

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.5 min
Drive Alone83.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Nearby Cities

Fordyce, AR 3,320 pop · 5.0 mi Hampton, AR 1,185 pop · 16.6 mi East Camden, AR 1,326 pop · 18.7 mi Camden, AR 10,427 pop · 25.2 mi Warren, AR 5,342 pop · 26.6 mi Smackover, AR 2,137 pop · 31.7 mi Sheridan, AR 5,063 pop · 37.9 mi Star City, AR 2,234 pop · 38.9 mi Gurdon, AR 1,777 pop · 39.5 mi El Dorado, AR 17,382 pop · 39.7 mi Pine Bluff, AR 40,436 pop · 40.4 mi White Hall, AR 5,520 pop · 41.1 mi Monticello, AR 8,320 pop · 41.2 mi Arkadelphia, AR 10,316 pop · 41.4 mi
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