Farnsworth Avenue Corridor - City of Aurora

About Aurora
• Aurora is Illinois’ second largest city with a population of approximately
175,000, of which, about 102,000 residents are between the ages of 21
and 65 years of age. This age group, which represents most of the work
force, is divided almost evenly between male and female. Another
14,000 residents are between the ages of 15 and 20, and are in the
workforce or will soon be. There are an estimated 55,213 households in
2005, with a median household income of $61,964 and an average
household income of $77,561. The average household size is 3.07.
• Approximately 70.4% of Aurorans own their homes. The estimated
median housing value is $181,661.
• The city’s population consists of 10.9% African American alone, 4.4%
Asian alone, 64.3% White alone, and other Races comprise 20.4%. The
city’s Hispanic or Latino population by origin is 37%.
• Of the population over 25 years of age, 24% have less than a High
School degree, 22% have a High School degree, 24% have some
College or an Associate Degree, 21% have a Bachelor’s Degree, and
9% have a Graduate Degree.
• Over the past 25 years Aurora and its economic base has expanded
considerably:
• Aurora’s population has increased from 84,540 to approximately
175,000.
• Aurora’s size has dramatically increased from 15.68 square miles in
1972 to 42 square miles in 2005.
• Median household income has increased 155% - from $24,279 in 1986
to $61,964 in 2005.
• Additionally, Aurora features a diversified economy of retail, office,
manufacturing, distribution and entertainment industries. In addition to
16 business parks located through out the city that house various
Fortune 500 companies, Aurora is also home to numerous retailers
including the Westfield Fox Valley regional shopping mall as well as the
Chicago Premium Outlets. The strength of Aurora’s retail market is
evident in the 2004 Melaniphy Chicagoland Retail Sales Report that
states that Aurora’s retail sales totaled $1.85 billion during 2003 to
2004.