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D

Is Thornton, Colorado Safe?

Population 147,766 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Thornton runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 85% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,829 per 100K.

Thornton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricThorntonColorado AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate384.7325.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2329.92113.11,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate230.0--268.2
Theft Rate1829.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate240.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

271.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

385/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2330/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Thornton

Violent crime in Thornton is close to the national average. The rate of 384.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2329.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,829 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Thornton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault230
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery83
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary356
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,829
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft240
075% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Thornton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Thornton
384.7
State
325.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Thornton
2329.9
State
2113.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thornton Safety

Is Thornton safe?
Not especially. Thornton earns a D with a crime rate of 271.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Thornton?
271.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 384.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2329.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Thornton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Thornton's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,829 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Thornton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Thornton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Thornton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Thornton?
Crime rates have held steady in Thornton, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Thornton compare to other cities in Colorado?
Below average for the state. Thornton ranks behind about 90% of Colorado cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Thornton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Thornton?
Bad. A D grade and 271.5 per-thousand rate put Thornton below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 385 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Thornton?
384.7 per 100,000, which is 6% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (230), robbery (83), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Colorado

Similar-sized communities in Colorado. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
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C-
See crime rates in Greeley115,073 pop · Grade C-
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See crime rates in Pueblo110,404 pop · Grade D-
View all Colorado city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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