Thornton, IA

Iowa

Thornton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 534. Residents earn $66,979 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
534 Population 431/sq mi density
$66,979 Median Income $33,158 per capita
$99,000 Home Value $153,096 Zillow
$775 Median Rent 21.9% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$66,979 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$99,000 home value, $775/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,979
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $99,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.9%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population534
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density431/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,979
Per Capita$33,158
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$790M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$99,000
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$153,096
Rent Burden21.9%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.1 in/yr
Elevation1,191 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+95.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute24 min
Libraries4

Is Thornton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thornton receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Thornton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thornton is $66,979, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thornton is $99,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Thornton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Thornton has a population of 534 with a density of 431 people per square mile. The median age is 34.3 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.2%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

534
Total Population
431
People / sq mi
34.3yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.1%
Female 50.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Thornton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.7%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Thornton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thornton is $66,979, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Thornton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,979
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,158
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024
IRS Avg AGI$73,117

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% below US avg
Establishments (County)364
County GDP$790M

Business (County)

Restaurants15
Healthcare26
Retail36
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,431
2% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.47%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Work from Home5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Thornton is $99,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $153,096.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$99,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$153,096

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden21.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,431
2% below US avg
Effective Rate3.47%
In Thornton, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.4%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate74.0%
Premature Death9,806/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access76.5%
Healthcare Facilities26

Crime Rates: Thornton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Thornton has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.1 inches
0% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,191 ft (363 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density431/sq mi
Coordinates42.9442°N, 93.3870°W
County FIPS19069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.2%
D 28.5%

Winner: Republican by 41.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.9%
41% below US avg
High School+95.2%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density431/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants15
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Work from Home5.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Thornton with another city: