Thornton is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Whakatane, one of 21 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Thornton is the 11st largest suburb of Whakatane in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Thornton provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1910 - 1919. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 2000 - 2009. Residential housing stock in Thornton is made up of approximately 18% residential housing and 82% lifestyle properties.