Thornton Apartments & Rentals

With Denver becoming a boomtown in recent years, the suburb of Thornton has become one of the fastest growing areas in the state. With a population growth of 44.2 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, it certainly isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Thornton has a comfortable population of 118,772 with lots of children, so looking for Thornton rentals is a great idea if you want you and your family to be part of a growing, vibrant Colorado community.

Mostly farmland until the mid-20th century, the city was named after former Colorado Governor Dan Thornton. The first 40 homes were constructed from the vision of Sam Hoffman in 1953, and then several businesses sprouted afterward. Just three years later, the city was incorporated as metropolitan Denver began to grow.

Thornton remained the portrait of small-town Americana until the 1980s when the population neared 50,000 after the opening of the Thornton Civic Center and the expansion of the Interstate 25 interchange. The city went through some hard times in 2011 when it faced the worst tornado in Denver's history right before the city's 25th anniversary in 1981. Just a year later, the city endured one of the worst blizzards as well after 6 feet of snow was dumped on the metro area. However, the city rebuilt and has been committed to expanding into the future ever since.

With the development of FasTracks, a light rail expansion new to the Denver area, more job opportunities are attracting many people to Thornton. With companies like Echostar, North Suburban Medical Center and T-Mobile employing many of the residents in the area, the diversity of the job market in Thornton is pretty evident. Many also find it very easy to commute to Denver by car for work, since Thornton is only 10 miles northeast of downtown.

There are several universities near Thornton, but the University of Colorado - Denver is by far the largest. With undergraduate and doctoral programs ranging from molecular genetics to music, there are numerous fields of study available. Students looking for rentals in Thornton also find their education at nearby Metropolitan State College of Denver. With daytime, evening and weekend classes, this college is great for students who either have a busy schedule or are working their way through school.

Since Thornton is a vastly growing community, there are plenty of options for renters. As of 2009, the median cost of rent was around $960, according to city-data.com. Since Denver is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, Thornton citizens can expect to have a cost of living that is about six points higher than the national average. However, since the city is growing so rapidly, there is a wide variety of options for renters to choose from when it comes to housing.

There are also plenty of things to do and see in Thornton. Since the Denver area is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains, the options are endless for outdoor activities. Trails like the Sand Creek Regional Greenway and the Dirty Bismarck Loop are both close by, and there are several bike paths near the Eastlake Reservoir to enjoy.

The signature event of the city, Thorntonfest, takes place every May. Promoting recycling, local businesses, restaurants and venues, a 5K, and even a local battle of the bands, this is a fun family event that really captures the spirit of a thriving community.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Thornton, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.