What to Know About Living In Thornton, CO
What to Know About Living In Thornton, CO
Nestled in the heart of the Centennial State, Thornton is a Denver suburb that combines the warmth of a close-knit community with the energy of a bustling urban center. Just a stone’s throw away from the stunning Rocky Mountains, Thornton residents have an exceptional quality of life thanks to the many parks and easy access to Denver.
So, if you’re looking at living in the Denver area, learn more about Thornton and why it’s one of its fastest-growing suburbs.
Where is Thornton?
Denver has over a dozen large suburbs, and Thornton is one of them. It’s in the wedge between I-25 and I-76, with most of its western border running right on I-25. The northern boundary is pretty much Colorado E470. The layout between two significant interstates makes it easy for residents on both sides of Thornton to commute into Denver or visit locations like the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
About Thornton
Denver’s fifth-largest city has around 143,000 people calling it home. Projections have it reaching approximately 242,000 residents by 2065.
Development kicked off in the 1950s when a developer bought 400 acres to build a self-sustaining community in the Front Range Mountain foothills. The “City of Planned Progress” was named after the state’s then-governor Dan Thornton. It’s been a fast-growing suburb because of its location in the Denver metro and easy interstate access.
This idea of growing with thoughtful planning has been pervasive across the city over the decades. It’s why you’ll find robust recreational programs and facilities throughout Thornton. Around 1,000 acres are designated for public use or parkland.
What is Thornton’s cost of living?
You’ve probably heard Denver is expensive, mostly because of its high-demand housing market. Usually, suburbs are cheaper, but that’s not always the case.
Thornton’s housing market is 60% more expensive than the national average, and its transportation costs are 21% more. But the good news is housing is 7% less than the Colorado average. And healthcare, groceries, and utilities align with national or local spending rates.
What are the perks of living in Thornton?
Need work? As the Denver metro expands, so have the job opportunities in Thornton. Its diverse economy is led by healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and technology. The largest employers are in health care, with the North Suburban Medical Center by HealthOne leading the way. Other employment leaders are Dish Network and the Community Reach Center.
Locals describe Thornton as a community that puts families first. It runs a full calendar of family-friendly activities, like a Fourth of July festival and WinterFest, a December holiday-themed event.
Parks are everywhere in Thornton, perfect for enjoying the beautiful Denver region weather. Have a picnic on those lovely fall days or go cycling. Prefer high-adventure? Getting to the mountains for snow sports or whitewater rafting when in season is easy.
Thornton has always been convenient to Denver, but that has gotten more accessible thanks to the extension of the metro’s light rail system. Now residents can skip the Denver traffic and take an easy ride on public transport into the city for its many perks.
What is Thornton real estate like?
Thornton’s suburban character is evident, even if it has the population of a small city. Its smartly mixed residential, commercial, and industrial areas as it has grown. Since development kicked off in the 1950s, the homes tend to be newer, with construction still ongoing as Thornton’s population increases. Homes date to the 1950s closer to Denver, while the newest building is concentrated in northern Thornton.
In April 2023, Thornton had 611 homes for sale ranging in price from $58K to $2.8M. The median price was $535K, up 2% year-over-year. It has single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses.
Where are some great places to live in Thornton?
Woodglen
The neighborhood around the eponymous park includes single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments.
Eastlake
A well-established neighborhood, Eastlake was an independent town along the Eastlake Reservoir until 1990 when it was incorporated into Thornton. It still has a historic vibe with grid-like streets and homes on small lots with alleyways. Plans are in the works to develop a centralized downtown zone in Eastlake.
Village at North Creek
This newer development is a thoughtfully planned community that mixes places to work with access to the outdoors, downtown entertainment core, and residences. It aims to be walkable to the shops, farmer’s markets, and schools.
Heritage Todd Creek
This master-planned community caters to 55 and older adults who want an active lifestyle in a thriving neighborhood. The amenities include a golf course, dining, indoor and outdoor swimming, social clubs, and a fitness center.
Mayfield
The neighborhood is its own metropolitan district, which is like its own municipal district but does not have city status. The 276 homes are covenant-controlled, and construction began in 2019. A Wal-Mart and King Soopers are within two miles of the community.
Rolling Hills at Thorncreek
If you want golf course living, this option has fairway views of Thorncreek Golf Course. Homes tend to be larger, with footprints around 4,000-5,000 sq ft. Locals are close to Denver Premium Outlets for shopping.
Quebec Highlands
The community is close to some more consistently higher-rated schools in the Thornton city limits. Nearby is a 14-acre park with trails, and the community has Rocky Mountain views. This newer neighborhood started building single-family homes in 2015. Homes are typically around 4,000 sq ft and 3-5 bedrooms.
Is there golf in Thornton, CO?
Good news for golfers: Thornton has three choices within the city limits, and even more across the Denver metro. Your Thornton courses are:
Thorncreek Golf Course–a public 18-hole course. It features a challenging layout with water hazards, sand traps, and tree-lined fairways. The course offers a driving range, practice facilities, a pro shop, and a clubhouse.
Todd Creek Golf Club–a semi-private 18-hole golf course about as far north as you can get in Thornton. Arthur Hills designed a layout with rolling fairways, strategic bunkers, and beautiful mountain views as the backdrop.
The Ranch Country Club– a private golf club featuring an 18-hole championship course. Play in a picturesque setting complete with mature trees, lakes, and manicured fairways. Additional member amenities include swimming, tennis, and social events.
What things to do are there in Thornton, CO?
Part of Thornton’s community vibe is all the festivals it throws during the year.
Festival season kicks off in May with Thorntonfest, where residents can participate in fun activities like carnival rides, wall climbing, and a car show. Harvestfest in September has unique events like a fishing derby, rollerblading, and a skateboarding competition. And there’s a shopping bazaar and live entertainment, too.
Finally, the December Winterfest will get you in the seasonal spirit with activities like a Christmas tree decorating contest, ice skating, a miniature Santa’s village, live music, a 5K run, and a fireworks show. And those don’t include the annual Fourth of July firework or Halloween.
Thornton is a prime place to visit if you like shopping. Denver Premium Outlets has favorite name-brand shopping stores like Adidas, Michael Kors, and American Eagle, selling fashion at discount prices. But you can also head to The Orchard Town Center or Larkridge Shopping Center for your specialty shops, daily groceries, and service providers.
Carpenter Recreation Center and Carpenter Park are a popular destination for athletes and sports enthusiasts. The facility has an indoor swimming pool, a running track, a gymnastics studio, a sauna, and hot tubs. Inside the recreation center are courts for basketball, racquetball, and volleyball. Outside, it has a carousel, boathouse, skate park, and amphitheater.
Living in Thornton, CO
Do friendly neighborhoods and a jam-packed community event calendar sound appealing to you? How about a purpose-built city with multiple parks? If so, Thornton is probably right up your alley. It’s less expensive than suburbs like Arvada, but this has all the hallmarks of a top-notch quality of life.
So come and experience the unique charm of Thornton, where every day is filled with opportunities for creating lasting memories. You’ll quickly discover why people call this Denver suburb their home sweet home.
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Preston Guyton
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