City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Aurora, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Aurora - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

179,867
Residents
$90,109
Median income
$260,400
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Aurora - the verdict

Nationally, Aurora sits in the 71st percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

71st
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
45th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Aurora, IL

179,867 people live in Aurora, Illinois - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Aurora brings in $90,109 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.0%. Typical homes in Aurora are valued around $260,400, and the median resident age is 35.2 years. Educational attainment runs 37.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 68.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 488 residential building permits were authorized in Aurora (Building Boom), up 559% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Aurora reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1517.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 50.2°F with 39.5 inches of precipitation per year and 27.9 inches of snowfall.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,781 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 23.9 minutes, with 67.7% driving alone and 14.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.6 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

179,867 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$90,109 /yr

Poverty 8.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Aurora compare to other US cities?

Aurora measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 71% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Illinois and the picture shifts: Aurora ranks #311 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Aurora's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

71stIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

71st percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Aurora's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Aurora's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 50 Avg. percentile National median
Aurora's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Aurora's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$260,400 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Aurora $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Aurora, IL Aurora, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Aurora, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Aurora, IL median $90,109/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Aurora, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Aurora, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
179,867
Median Income
$90,109
Median Home Value
$260,400
Median Age
35.2
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor force participation
68.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1517.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
266.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1251.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
39.5"
Annual Snowfall
27.9"

Schools

Total Schools
47
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
178,000 residents179,000 residents180,000 residents181,000 residents182,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 180,264 residents 181,505 residents ▲ +0.7%
Aurora's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
488
housing units authorized
Single-Family
464
detached homes
Multifamily
24
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 74
2020 93
2021 71
2022 113
2023 364
2024 488

Permit volume increased 559% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.9 minutes
Drive Alone
67.7%
Carpool
11.2%
Public Transit
3.6%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
14.5%
Other
1.4%

Based on 92,384 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Aurora sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Joliet
149,785 people
Naperville
149,424 people
Rockford
147,649 people
Elgin
114,106 people
Springfield
113,714 people
Peoria
112,126 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Aurora's 179,867 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ontario, CA
178,347 people
Eugene, OR
177,520 people
Elk Grove, CA
177,221 people
Santa Rosa, CA
177,216 people
Chattanooga, TN
182,832 people
Fort Lauderdale, FL
183,032 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Aurora's $90,109 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Silverado, CA
$90,104 median income
Meiners Oaks, CA
$90,096 median income
Maineville, OH
$90,122 median income
Westover, AL
$90,125 median income
Central, LA
$90,091 median income
Suffolk, VA
$90,089 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Aurora, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Aurora, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 42.2% 10.9% 11.0% 12.7% 21.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 42.8% White 42.2% Black or African American 10.9% Asian 11.0% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 12.7% Two or more races 21.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Aurora compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Aurora (this city) 179,867 $90,109
Joliet 149,785 $88,026
Naperville 149,424 $150,937
Rockford 147,649 $53,328
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Aurora, IL?

What is the population of Aurora, IL? +

The population of Aurora, IL stands at 179,867 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Aurora, IL? +

Aurora households earn a median of $90,109 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Aurora? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Aurora; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Aurora, IL safe? +

Aurora has a total crime rate of 1517.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Aurora, IL? +

Aurora's median home value sits at $260,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Aurora? +

The average annual temperature in Aurora runs 50.2°F, 39.5 inches of precipitation, and 27.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.