Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 21 min5:34 am – 8:56 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 1 min7:41 am – 4:42 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People655 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 32.3288 householdsMedian household income $68,750Median home value $121,100Median rent $839 a month87% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,541 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting1.2% unemployment rate68% of adults are in the labour force, 330 employedMain industries: manufacturing 24%, education and health care 19%, retail 15%Average commute 24 minutes75% drive alone, 12% car-pool, 5% walk or cycle, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages21% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher94% finished high school, 2% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 98%, Spanish 1%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 83°F, lows 61°FColdest month January: highs 24°F, lows 7°F36 in of rain a year, on about 66 dayswettest month June44 in of snow a year, on about 30 days12 days above 90°F, 161 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Mason City Muni Ap station, 15 mi away
Nearby landmarksEldred Sherwood Park Lakelake · 7.8 miZerbel Sloughlake · 8.1 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsIngebretson Parkpark · 1.5 miBuffalo Basins Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 5.8 mi · 146 acresUnion Hillsstate conservation land · 5.9 mi · 52 acresRailroad ROWstate recreation area · 8.5 mi · 81 acresGoodell Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 8.0 mi · 71 acresEldred Sherwood Parkpark · 7.6 mi · 97 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowCerro Gordo County, IA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsDrought Relatively HighWinter weather Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality72% of days had good air in 2025263 of 364 days measured92 moderate, 9 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 40, worst day 134main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Palo Alto County, IA, 64 mi away
Internet at home94% of households have a broadband subscription69% have cable, fibre or DSL13% rely on a mobile data plan alone5% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterThornton Water Supplyserves 400 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,209 ft369 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalIowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond Campus12.3 miPost officeThornton Post Office1.3 miTown hallThornton City Hall1.2 miFire stationThornton Fire Department1.3 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportMason City Municipal Airport MCW16 miMajor airportDes Moines International Airport DSM98 miInterstateI-353.4 miUS highwayUS 6511 miCoachLatimer (Dudley's Corner)Jefferson Lines14 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50479 ZIP area.
