Sitting just eight miles from Denver, Thornton is a fantastic city to call home. With dozens of beautiful parks, a range of shops and restaurants, and a great community feel, it’s easy to see why so many people flock to this city.
If you’re thinking about moving to Thornton and want to learn a little bit more about this city, this guide is for you.
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A Short History
The city of Thornton in Colorado was named after Daniel Thornton, the Governor of Colorado in 1953. When the city began, there were just eight and a half thousand people living within one square mile.
The city saw a massive expansion in the next few decades with facilities and structures being built. By 1981, the population had increased to 43,000 residents and it had blossomed into a crowded city.
Top Things to Do in Thornton
There is so much to do in the city of Thornton, you’ll never get bored calling this amazing city home. Here are just a couple of our favorites.
Crazed Corn Field Maze
This impressive 20-acre maze is the perfect place for a family day out. There’s a mini train to ride on, a petting zoo, playground, and pumpkin patch to explore.
Thornton Parks
Thornton has plenty of green space for sunny afternoon walks and picnics. In fact, the city is home to 25 major parks as well as several other small parks and green spaces.
A couple of the most popular Thornton parks are Trail Winds East, Trail Winds West, Cherry Park, Yorkborough Park, and Woodglen Brookshire Park. But there are many more to go walking, running, and cycling in.
Thorntonfest
Every year, the city hosts a festival for its residents called Thorntonfest. It has some great interactive activities for kids like Battle of the Bands, as well as a car show, carnival, wall climbing, and even a pet fest for your furry friends.
Real Estate in Thornton
There are four major neighborhoods in Thornton and prices for houses range from $35,000 all the way up to $2 million, depending on where you look.
The average house price in Thornton is $450,000, which is about 11% higher than last year. It’s a very popular area of Colorado so prices are consistently high and houses sell fast in all of the neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods
Todd Creek and Eastlake are the most affluent neighborhoods in Thornton with some of the highest house prices. They also have some of the best schools, with the Holly and Glencoe districts being the most sought-after.
Overall, Thornton is one of the safest areas of Colorado, which has a great safety rating in general.
However, the most protected streets are E 152nd Avenue/Colorado Boulevard and E 160nd Avenue/Colorado Boulevard.
In the process of moving to a new neighborhood in Thornton? Get the top moving tips from professional Thornton movers here.
Schools
With a great range of high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, there are plenty of great options for your kids’ education in Thornton.
Stargate Schools, New America School, Colorado Virtual Academy, and Westgate Community Charter School are Thornton’s private schools.
Silver Creek Elementary is rated the top public school in Thornton, so houses in this district sell quickly.
Costs of Living in Thornton
Thornton is ranked 50 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The Council for Community and Economic Research reports the cost of living here is 108.6% of the national average, which makes it one of the average cities in the US.
The average household income in Thornton is almost $79,500 – 9% more than the state of Colorado as a whole. So although the price of living is slightly higher here, the earning potential is more too.
Top Reasons to Live Here
There are tons of reasons why you’d want to live in Thornton CO, perhaps the most important being it’s the safest place to live in the entire state.
But here are some of the top reasons why people consistently relocate to Thornton and are happy they did:
- Good education: There are three different school districts with a range of top-rated schools to choose from.
- Many job opportunities: Over the past few years, the job market in Thornton has exploded so there are great opportunities in many different sectors in this city.
- Great food: Thornton has dozens of amazing restaurants and some of the best cuisine in the entire state. Known for traditional American food, you won’t be disappointed.
Planning on Moving to Thornton?
If you’re thinking about moving to Thornton, CO, you’ve picked a fantastic city. From the wonderful green spaces and community feel to the great shops and restaurants, it’s a vibrant city to call home.
If you’re starting to plan your move and you’re worried about the cost, head to our moving guide where we break down the costs of moving and help you work out what you need to budget.
