Thornton, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Thornton is a small town in Illinois with a population of 1,876. Residents earn $61,111 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,876 Population 788/sq mi density
$61,111 Median Income $31,813 per capita
$146,600 Home Value $175,046 Zillow
$1,099 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
341 Violent Crime/100K 1,064 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$61,111 median income, 4.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$146,600 home value, $1,099/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
341 violent crimes/100K (10% below avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,111
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $146,600
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 341/100K
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.9%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,099
6% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.1%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.7%
31% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,876
Median Age44.0 yrs
Density788/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 45%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,111
Per Capita$31,813
Unemployment4.7%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$31,242M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$146,600
Rent$1,099
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$175,046

Crime

F
Violent341/100K
Property1,064/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault255/100K
Burglary170/100K

Health

Obesity31.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.3%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Elevation362 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.9%
High School+92.2%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 46% / D 52%
Commute26 min
Libraries26

Is Thornton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thornton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. 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 $61,111, 19% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.7%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thornton is $146,600, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,099 per month. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Thornton is below the national average at 341 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,064 per 100,000, 46% below the national average.

Education

24.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Thornton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Thornton has a population of 1,876 with a density of 788 people per square mile. The median age is 44.0 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (45.3%), with 36.9% Black.

Population

1,876
Total Population
788
People / sq mi
44.0yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Thornton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.1%
7% above US avg
Spanish15.9%
19% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Thornton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thornton is $61,111, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Thornton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,111
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,813
Avg Weekly Wage$1,177
IRS Avg AGI$69,524

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.7%
31% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,872
County GDP$31,242M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,110
Healthcare1,376
Retail1,546
Manufacturing366

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,190
20% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.3 min
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Thornton is $146,600, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,099 (6% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $175,046.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$146,600
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$175,046
Median List Price$220,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$220,000
$/Sq Ft$160
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio100.4%
Price Drops27.3%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,099
6% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,190
20% above US avg
Effective Rate2.86%
In Thornton, 31.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.3% report depression. 20.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.1%
3% below US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity20.1%
Depression20.3%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress10.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.3%
Checkup Rate76.6%
Premature Death10,981/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access92.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,376
Thornton has a violent crime rate of 341 per 100,000 residents, 10% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,064 per 100,000 (46% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent340.6/100K
10% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape42.6/100K
Robbery42.6/100K
Assault255.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,064.3/100K
46% below US avg
Burglary170.3/100K
Theft851.4/100K
Vehicle Theft42.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)53

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Thornton has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation362 ft (110 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²)
Population Density788/sq mi
Coordinates41.5741°N, 87.6193°W
County FIPS18089
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 24.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 5.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46.5%
D 52.1%

Winner: Democrat by 5.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.9%
26% below US avg
High School+92.2%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density788/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries26
Healthcare Facilities1,376
Restaurants1,110
Retail Stores1,546

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)53
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.3 min
Work from Home5.2%

Nearby Cities

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