Thornton, IL Demographics

A map of Thornton's Population by Race

Thornton, Illinois has an estimated population of 1,940, a large decrease from the 2,386 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 41.4% White, 34.8% Black, 21.1% Hispanic, 1.1% Asian, 1.1% Multiracial, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Thornton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Thornton has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Thornton, that probability was 60.7% in 2020 and 66.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Thornton is ranked the 511th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Thornton was ranked the 471st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Thornton's White Population

804 residents of Thornton, or 41.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Thornton is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Thornton ranks 1328th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Thornton's White population has declined by an estimated 39.3%. White residents' share of Thornton's population has decreased from 55.5% to 41.4%.

Thornton is more White than neighboring Glenwood (21.3% White), South Holland (10.2% White), East Hazel Crest (21.9% White), and Phoenix (1% White). Thornton is less White than neighboring Homewood (44.3% White).

Thornton's Black Population

676 residents of Thornton, or 34.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Thornton is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Thornton ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Thornton's Black population has grown by an estimated 28.0%. Black residents' share of Thornton's population has increased from 22.1% to 34.8%.

Thornton is less Black than neighboring Glenwood (70.8% Black), South Holland (74.9% Black), East Hazel Crest (52.5% Black), Phoenix (76.9% Black), and Homewood (43.1% Black).

Thornton's Asian Population

22 residents of Thornton, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Thornton is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Thornton ranks 749th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Thornton's Asian population has grown by an estimated 144.4%. Asian residents' share of Thornton's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.1%.

Thornton is more Asian than neighboring Glenwood (0.4% Asian), South Holland (1% Asian), East Hazel Crest (0% Asian), and Phoenix (0% Asian). Thornton is less Asian than neighboring Homewood (1.4% Asian).

Thornton's Hispanic Population

410 residents of Thornton, or 21.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Thornton is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Thornton ranks 123rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Thornton's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 7.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Thornton's population has increased from 18.5% to 21.1%.

Thornton is more Hispanic than neighboring Glenwood (5% Hispanic), South Holland (10.4% Hispanic), East Hazel Crest (16.4% Hispanic), and Homewood (6.4% Hispanic). Thornton is less Hispanic than neighboring Phoenix (22% Hispanic).

Thornton's Native American/Other Population

7 residents of Thornton, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Thornton is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Thornton ranks 595th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Thornton's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 36.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Thornton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Thornton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Phoenix (0% Native American/Other). Thornton is less Native American/Other than neighboring Glenwood (0.7% Native American/Other), South Holland (1% Native American/Other), East Hazel Crest (1.3% Native American/Other), and Homewood (1% Native American/Other).

Thornton's Multiracial Population

21 residents of Thornton, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Thornton is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Thornton ranks 942nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Thornton's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 70.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Thornton's population has decreased from 3.0% to 1.1%.

Thornton is more Multiracial than neighboring Phoenix (0.1% Multiracial). Thornton is less Multiracial than neighboring Glenwood (1.8% Multiracial), South Holland (2.5% Multiracial), East Hazel Crest (7.9% Multiracial), and Homewood (3.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.