| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Thornton/100k people | Colorado/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4,535 | n/a (estimate) | 3,109 | 3,069 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 1.4 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 116 | n/a | 79.5 | 58.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 72 | n/a | 49.4 | 63.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 209 | n/a | 143.3 | 350.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 399 | n/a (estimate) | 274 | 476 | 359 |
| Burglary | 404 | n/a | 277.0 | 348.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 3,016 | n/a | 2,067.9 | 1,754.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 716 | n/a | 490.9 | 490.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,136 | n/a (estimate) | 2,836 | 2,593 | 1,760 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Thornton crime rate is higher than the national average by 46.7%. Specifically, there were 399 violent crimes in Thornton, equivalent to 274 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 23.8%. Furthermore, Thornton recorded 4136 property crimes, amounting to 2836 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 61.1%.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Thornton has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Thornton reported 716 vehicle thefts, which equates to 491 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Thornton is 1 in 204.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Thornton. Based on the results of the surveys (51 responses), 61% of people felt that there was very little crime in Thornton and felt safe walking alone at night. While 39% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Thornton is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Thornton has a total crime rate that is 47% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 12.42 daily crimes (1.09 violent daily crimes and 11.33 daily property crimes) in Thornton.
Year-over-year crime rates in Thornton has decreased by 16.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Thornton is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 13.3%, while property crime has decreased by 16.8%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Thornton.
Thornton has a population density of 4091.6 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Thornton crime rates.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Thornton, 82% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Thornton, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 1.75 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.
| Item | Thornton | Colorado | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 215 | 9,049 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.7 | 9.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Colorado /100K | National /100K |
| Colorado | 11,204 | 251 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Holly Hills, CO | 2,910 | 75 | 407 | 481 |
| Todd Creek, CO | 4,802 | 124 | 674 | 797 |
| Erie, CO | 28,201 | 30 | 896 | 926 |
| Dacono, CO | 6,316 | 120 | 853 | 973 |
| Lochbuie, CO | 7,003 | 203 | 787 | 990 |
| Fairmount, CO | 9,800 | 167 | 910 | 1,077 |
| Applewood, CO | 8,603 | 167 | 910 | 1,077 |
| Thornton, CO | 147,633 | 274 | 2,836 | 3,109 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Mesquite, TX | 148,020 | 501 | 2,976 | 3,478 |
| McAllen, TX | 146,651 | 150 | 1,836 | 1,986 |
| Pasadena, CA | 146,628 | 480 | 2,697 | 3,177 |
| Savannah, GA | 148,994 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Paterson, NJ | 149,118 | 979 | 2,351 | 3,330 |
| Thornton, CO | 147,633 | 274 | 2,836 | 3,109 |
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