Overview

Introduction to Thornton, Colorado

Thornton, Colorado, in Adams county, is 8 miles N of Denver, Colorado. The city is conveniently located inside the Denver metropolitan area.

Thornton History

Until 1953, the area now known as Thornton consisted primarily of farmlands. Sam Hoffman purchased land off of Washington Street in 1953 and planned what would eventually become Thornton. It was the first planned community in Adams county. The town was named in honor of Colorado Governor, Dan Thornton. Thornton was incorporated as a city in 1956.

Thornton and nearby Attractions

  • Forney Museum of Transportation
  • Colorado Governor's Mansion
  • Denver Zoo
  • Grasmer Lake
  • Holly Park
  • Park Hill Golf Club

Things To Do In Thornton

During a stay in Thornton, one can visit the historic sites in Denver like the Colorado State Capitol, the Colorado Governor's Mansion and the Denver Mint. Those interested in the regional history can pay a visit to the Forney Museum of Transportation, which has some interesting exhibits of antique automobiles, carriages, bicycles and locomotives. Golfers can spend a day at the Park Hill Golf Club. In addition, the city hosts the Harvest Fest every September and the Winterfest every December.

Thornton Transportation

Buckley AFB Airport is close by.

Thornton Higher Education

For higher learning, one can enroll at nearby Front Range Community College or Regis University.

Demographics

People

Total Population134,588
Male Share of the Population50%
Female Share of the Population50%
Senior Citizens8.8%
Employed Population 16+70,558
Age of the Population34

Families

% of people married51.9%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher28.3%
Median Earnings25+$43,843
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$28,598
Median Earnings With High School Degree$37,619

Wealth

Median Family Income$84,146
% Above Poverty Level91.1%
% Below Poverty Level8.9%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time30 minutes
% Working from Home5.8%
% Walking and Biking to Work0.7%
% Using Public Transportation3.1%

Housing

People Living Alone20.2%
Median Gross Rent$1,398
Median House Value$290,100

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)43.1%
German18.1%
Irish10.1%
English6.9%
Italian4.8%
Norwegian2.3%
French Except Basque2.3%
Polish2.3%
Scottish1.9%
Swedish1.5%
Dutch1.1%
Russian1.1%
Welsh0.8%
Canadian0.7%
Czech0.6%
Danishn0.6%
African0.4%
Hungarian0.4%
Afghan)0.3%
Slovak0.3%
Portuguese0.2%
Swiss0.2%
Arab0.2%
Ethiopian0.2%
Finnish0.2%
Bulgarian0.2%
Greek0.2%
Nigerian0.1%
Ukrainian0.1%
Jamaican0.1%
West Indian0.1%
Moroccan0.1%
Belgian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Latvian0.1%
Basque0.1%
Romanian0.1%
Slovene0.1%
Austrian0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
+ Show More

Thornton Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyAdams County, Broomfield County
Standard Zip Codes80241, 80229, 80602, 80023, 80233, 80221, 80260
Phone Area Codes3,03,720, 303
Time ZoneAmerica/Denver
Approximate Latitude39.93
Approximate Longitude-104.95

Thornton Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationNORTHGLENN
Distance3.3 miles
Jan Temp16 to 44 F
Apr Temp33 to 61 F
Jul Temp56 to 88 F
Oct Temp36 to 66 F
Annual Precip13.2 inches
StationBRIGHTON 3 SE
Distance9.3 miles
Jan Temp12 to 41 F
Apr Temp33 to 62 F
Jul Temp56 to 88 F
Oct Temp33 to 67 F
Annual Precip14.3 inches
StationLAKEWOOD
Distance11.2 miles
Jan Temp13 to 44 F
Apr Temp30 to 59 F
Jul Temp55 to 86 F
Oct Temp32 to 65 F
Annual Precip17 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Arvada117,251$99,993
Broomfield66,120$111,341
Commerce City54,795$78,172
Federal Heights12,645$44,411
Northglenn38,918$76,371
Westminster112,747$90,063

Thornton Public Libraries

Rangeview Library District
5877 EAST 120TH AVENUE
Thornton, Colorado
(303) 288-2001

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Thornton Hospitals

Vibra Long Term Acute Care Hospital
(Proprietary)
8451 Pearl St
(303) 288-3000
North Suburban Medical Center
(Proprietary)
9191 Grant St
(303) 451-7800

Thornton Public Schools

Stem Launch
9450 Pecos Street
ZIP: 80206
Primary
Total Enrollment 781
Academy High School
8970 York Street
ZIP: 80229
High
Total Enrollment 382
Achieve Academy
9100 Poze Blvd
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 551
Clayton Partnership School
8970 York Street
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 488
Coronado Hills Elementary School
8300 Downing Drive
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 557
Explore Elementary
2410 Poze Blvd
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 412
Mapleton Early College High School
8980 York Street
ZIP: 80229
High
Total Enrollment 253
Mc Elwain Elementary School
1020 Dawson Drive
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 439
Meadow Community School
9150 Monroe St
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 529
New America School - Thornton
8978 Washington St.
ZIP: 80229
High
Total Enrollment 408
North Valley School For Young Adults
8990 York St
ZIP: 80229
High
Total Enrollment 49
The International School At Thornton Middle
9451 Hoffman Way
ZIP: 80229
Middle
Total Enrollment 946
Thornton Elementary School
900 Eppinger Boulevard
ZIP: 80229
Primary
Total Enrollment 407
Thornton High School
9351 Washington Street
ZIP: 80229
High
Total Enrollment 1778
York International
9200 York St
ZIP: 80229
Other
Total Enrollment 765
Cherry Drive Elementary School
11500 Cherry Drive
ZIP: 80233
Primary
Total Enrollment 454
Riverdale Elementary School
10724 Elm Drive
ZIP: 80233
Primary
Total Enrollment 420
Woodglen Elementary School
11717 Madison Street
ZIP: 80233
Primary
Total Enrollment 401
Adams12 Five Star Preschool
1500 East 128th Avenue
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 995
Century Middle School
13000 Lafayette Street
ZIP: 80241
Middle
Total Enrollment 1054
Eagleview Elementary School
4601 Summit Grove Parkway
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 609
Hunters Glen Elementary School
13222 Corona Street
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 475
Pathways Future Center
550 E. 124th Avenue
ZIP: 80241
Other
Total Enrollment 372
Skyview Elementary School
5021 East 123rd Avenue
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 465
Stargate Charter School
3951 Cottonwoodlakes Boulevard
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 753
Stellar Elementary School
3901 East 124th Avenue
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 540
Tarver Elementary School
3500 Summit Grove Parkway
ZIP: 80241
Primary
Total Enrollment 476
Mapleton Expeditionary School Of The Arts
8980 York Street
ZIP: 80299
High
Total Enrollment 583
Brantner Elementary School
7800 E. 133rd Avenue
ZIP: 80602
Primary
Total Enrollment 359
Prairie Hills Elementary School
13801 Garfield Place
ZIP: 80602
Primary
Total Enrollment 534
Rocky Top Middle School
14150 York Street
ZIP: 80602
Middle
Total Enrollment 1267
Shadow Ridge Middle School
12551 Holly Street
ZIP: 80602
Middle
Total Enrollment 1001
Silver Creek Elementary
15101 Fillmore Stre
ZIP: 80602
Primary
Total Enrollment 639
West Ridge Elementary
13102 Monaco Street
ZIP: 80602
Primary
Total Enrollment 768

Thornton Private Schools

Kindercare Learning Center
4200 E 128th Ave
ZIP: 80241
Elementary
Total Enrollment 17
Lord Of Life Lutheran School
12021 Northaven Cir
ZIP: 80241
Elementary
Total Enrollment 70
Primrose School Of Thornton
12899 Grant Dr
ZIP: 80241
Elementary
Total Enrollment 33
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