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Aurora, IL

Frequently asked questions

Aurora, IL

Aurora is a city in northeastern Illinois, United States. Located primarily in Kane and DuPage counties along the Fox River, it is the second-most populous city in Illinois, after Chicago, and the 144th-most populous city in the U.S. The population was 180,542 at the 2020 census. Aurora is the largest city in Illinois that is not the county seat of any county that it resides in.

Founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded into DuPage, Kendall, and Will counties. Once a mid-sized manufacturing city, Aurora has grown since the 1960s into a large city within the Chicago metropolitan area. In 1908, Aurora adopted the nickname "City of Lights", because in 1881 it was one of the first cities in the United States to implement an all-electric street lighting system.

Aurora's historic downtown is centered on Stolp Island. The city is divided into three regions, the West Side, East Side, and Far East Side/Fox Valley. The Aurora area has some significant architecture, including structures by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Bruce Goff and George Grant Elmslie. Aurora is also home to over 50 Sears Catalog Homes and seven Lustron all-steel homes. The Hollywood Casino Aurora, a dockside gaming facility with 53,000 square feet (4,900 m²) and 1,200 gaming positions, is located along the river in downtown Aurora.

Before European settlers arrived, there was a Native American village in what is today downtown Aurora, on the banks of the Fox River. In 1834, following the Black Hawk War, the McCarty brothers settled on both sides of the river, but subsequently sold their land on the west side to the Lake brothers, who opened a mill. The McCartys lived on and operated a mill on the east side. Aurora was established with the building of a post office in 1837.

Aurora began as two villages: East Aurora, incorporated in 1845 on the east side of the river, and West Aurora, formally organized on the west side of the river in 1854. In 1857, the two towns joined, incorporating as the city of Aurora. Representatives could not agree which side of the river should house the public buildings, so most of them were built on or around Stolp Island in the middle of the river.

Aurora is at 41°45′50″N 88°17′24″W (41.7637855, −88.2901352). According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Aurora has a total area of 45.91 square miles (118.91 km²), of which 44.97 square miles (116.47 km²) (or 97.94%) is land and 0.94 square miles (2.43 km²) (or 2.06%) is water.

While the city has traditionally been regarded as being in Kane County, Aurora also includes parts of DuPage, Kendall and Will counties. Aurora is one of only three cities in Illinois that span four counties the others being Barrington Hills and Centralia.)

Aurora places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, ensuring that its residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services. Proximity to various medical facilities, including the Rush Copley Medical Center, enhances the city's healthcare infrastructure. Allyu Spa offers a serene environment focusing on holistic treatments and eco-friendly practices. Services include massages, facials, body treatments, and energy healing. Located within The Peninsula Hotel, this luxurious spa features an extensive menu including massages, body treatments, facials, and advanced beauty services. It also offers unique amenities like a relaxation lounge and a half-Olympic-length swimming pool. AIRE Ancient Baths offers a unique experience inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman traditions. The spa features thermal baths at varying temperatures, including a hot bath, a cold plunge, and a saltwater flotation pool. The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton provides a luxurious retreat with a range of bespoke treatments, including signature massages, facials, and body therapies. King Spa & Sauna is a Korean-style jjimjilbang that offers a variety of saunas, pools, and relaxation areas.

Top Sites in Aurora, IL are Chicago Premium Outlets, Blackberry Farm, Phillips Park Zoo, and Paramount Theatre.

Population: 177,866 (2022). ZIP Codes: 60502. Area codes: 630, 331. Elevation: 719 ft (219 m). Area: 45.91 sq mi (118.91 km²).

FAQs

What is Aurora, IL famous for?

In 1837, when a Post Office was established, the village became Aurora, goddess of the dawn. Later, when the City was the first in the United States to use electric lights for publicly lighting the entire City, it achieved the nickname of "City of Lights." The modest camp of 1834 has grown into a teeming city. With a population of 197,899 according to the 2010 census, the City has steadily grown throughout the years to become the second largest city in the state.

Is Aurora, Illinois a suburb of Chicago?

Aurora is a suburb of Chicago with a population of 181,405. Aurora is in Kane County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Aurora offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Aurora there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Aurora and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Aurora are above average.

What is the ethnic makeup of Aurora, Illinois?

In 2022, there were 2.19 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (60.3k people) in Aurora, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.5k White (Hispanic) and 24.7k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups. 42.3% of the people in Aurora, IL are hispanic (76.8k people). The 5 largest ethnic groups in Aurora, IL are White (Non-Hispanic) (33.3%), White (Hispanic) (15.2%), Two+ (Hispanic) (13.6%), Other (Hispanic) (12.1%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (10.7%).

Sources

City of Aurora

Wikipedia

Datausa

Niche

Rush Copley Medical Center

Allyu Spa

The Peninsula Hotel

AIRE Ancient Baths

The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton

King Spa & Sauna

Chicago Premium Outlets

Blackberry Farm

Phillips Park Zoo

Paramount Theatre

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