Thornton Township, Illinois

Thornton Township
Location in Cook County
Cook County's location in Illinois
Coordinates: 41°35′00″N 87°37′00″W / 41.58333°N 87.61667°W / 41.58333; -87.61667
Country United States
State Illinois
CountyCook
Established1850
Government
 • TypeTownship
 • BodyTownship Board
 • SupervisorNapoleon Harris (Democrat)
 • TrusteeStephanie Wiedeman
 • TrusteeDarlene Gray Everett
 • TrusteeChristopher D. Gonzalez
 • TrusteeCarmen Carlisle
 • ClerkLoretta C. Wells
Area
 • Total
122.8 km2 (47.42 sq mi)
 • Land121.5 km2 (46.93 sq mi)
 • Water1.3 km2 (0.49 sq mi)
Elevation
189 m (620 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
157,865
 • Density1,299/km2 (3,364/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
60406, 60409, 60419, 60425, 60426, 60429, 60430, 60438, 60469, 60473, 60476, 60633, 60827
Area code708
FIPS code17-031-75198
GNIS feature ID0422238
Websitethorntontownship.com

Thornton Township is one of 29 townships in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2020 census, its population was 157,865.

Incorporated in 1850, it is located immediately south of the city of Chicago. It is the second most populous township in Illinois as of the 2020 census, after Rockford Township (pop. 170,478) in Winnebago County.

The village of South Holland serves as the governmental seat of Thornton Township. The township is named after the village of Thornton, located in the south central portion of the township. Many parts of the township carry names inspired by the village's name, including the three high schools of Thornton Township District 205: Thornton Township High School in Harvey; Thornwood High School in South Holland; Thornridge High School in Dolton; Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing; Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City and Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology also in Calumet City.