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Thornton, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Thornton is a small town in California with a population of 815. Residents earn $47,917 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
815 Population 383/sq mi density
$47,917 Median Income $21,243 per capita
$455,300 Home Value $466,769 Zillow
$898 Median Rent 29.2% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$47,917 median income, 6.3% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.3 / 5.0
$455,300 home value, $898/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,917
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $455,300
62% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.0%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $898
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.3%
75% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.9%
85% higher than US avg

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

People

Population815
Median Age32.2 yrs
Density383/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 43%
Veterans7.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$47,917
Per Capita$21,243
Unemployment6.3%
Poverty22.9%
County GDP$135,538M
Commute31 min

Housing

F
Home Value$455,300
Rent$898
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$466,769
Housing Units293
Rent Burden29.2%

Health

Obesity35.9%
Uninsured20.2%
Smoking15.5%
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F (17°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain18.4 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation10 ft (3 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.0%
High School+65.1%
Graduate+0.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 58%
Commute31 min
Broadband92.8%
Libraries32

Is Thornton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thornton receives an overall livability score of 1.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Thornton faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thornton is $47,917, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 22.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thornton is $455,300, making it a premium housing market at 62% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $898 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

11.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 65.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Thornton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 18.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Thornton has a population of 815 with a density of 383 people per square mile. The median age is 32.2 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (43.2%), with 16.8% Hispanic, 5.4% Black.

Population

815
Total Population
383
People / sq mi
32.2yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Thornton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only46.1%
41% below US avg
Spanish53.9%
302% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Thornton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thornton is $47,917, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Thornton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,917
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,243
Avg Weekly Wage$1,541
IRS Avg AGI$83,943

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.3%
75% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.9%
85% above US avg
Establishments (County)73,284
County GDP$135,538M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,301
Healthcare4,098
Retail3,717
Manufacturing761

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,181
77% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.9 min
Drive Alone81.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Thornton is $455,300, 62% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $898 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $466,769.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$455,300
62% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$466,769
Median List Price$1,900,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,900,000
$/Sq Ft$276
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio84.1%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$898
23% below US avg
Rent Burden29.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.8%
Housing Units293
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,181
77% above US avg
Effective Rate1.36%
In Thornton, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.2% of residents lack health insurance. 15.5% are current smokers. 21.6% report depression. 32.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes13.8%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.9%
Cancer5.5%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.5%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity32.0%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress17.1%
Short Sleep40.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.2%
Uninsured20.2%
135% above US avg
Checkup Rate68.9%
Dental Visits45.9%
Premature Death7,616/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.9%
Healthcare Facilities4,098
Thornton has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 18.4 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average62.2°F
15% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall18.4 inches
52% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation10 ft (3 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density383/sq mi
Coordinates38.2297°N, 121.4261°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06067
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 11.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 19.7-point margin. 92.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.4%
D 58.1%

Winner: Democrat by 19.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.0%
67% below US avg
High School+65.1%
Graduate Degree+0.4%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density383/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access92.8%
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries32
Healthcare Facilities4,098
Restaurants3,301
Retail Stores3,717

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)204

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.9 min
Drive Alone81.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

Galt, CA 25,665 pop · 7.4 mi Woodbridge, CA 3,868 pop · 7.5 mi Collierville, CA 2,107 pop · 8.8 mi Lodi, CA 67,008 pop · 10.5 mi Elk Grove, CA 177,221 pop · 13.0 mi Dogtown, CA 3,180 pop · 14.8 mi Rio Vista, CA 10,002 pop · 15.5 mi Clay, CA 1,325 pop · 15.6 mi Lockeford, CA 3,902 pop · 15.8 mi Lincoln Village, CA 3,954 pop · 16.3 mi Morada, CA 3,337 pop · 16.4 mi Wilton, CA 6,198 pop · 17.2 mi Florin, CA 49,536 pop · 17.6 mi Vineyard, CA 42,645 pop · 17.8 mi
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