Aurora, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Aurora, Illinois had a total population of 179,898, the 2nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $93,633, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Aurora is the 2nd largest city in Illinois with a population of 179,898.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Illinois (diversity index: 70/100).
Aurora Quick Facts
How Aurora Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 179,898 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $93,633 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $260,400 | $274,800 | +5.5% |
How Aurora Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Aurora Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DuPage County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | 150,692 | $155,105 | 4.5% | $540,200 |
| Bolingbrook | 74,096 | $108,400 | 9.2% | $314,700 |
| Wheaton | 53,557 | $120,008 | 5.6% | $455,700 |
| Downers Grove | 50,054 | $115,114 | 5.5% | $449,800 |
| Lombard | 43,619 | $100,362 | 7.2% | $335,700 |
| Carol Stream | 39,460 | $102,309 | 6.4% | $335,000 |
| Addison | 35,489 | $90,431 | 8.7% | $341,300 |
| St. Charles | 32,854 | $114,300 | 4.5% | $377,400 |
| Glendale Heights | 32,808 | $86,545 | 10.3% | $261,700 |
| Glen Ellyn | 28,390 | $140,938 | 6.3% | $544,000 |
Cities Similar to Aurora
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | 150,445 | $92,201 | $265,800 | 25.5% | 11.1% |
| Naperville | 150,692 | $155,105 | $540,200 | 72.5% | 4.5% |
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | $273,000 | 27.0% | 9.8% |
| Rockford | 147,521 | $54,752 | $129,000 | 23.5% | 21.3% |
| Springfield | 113,330 | $66,064 | $162,100 | 36.3% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Aurora is a major urban center located in Illinois, within DuPage County. The total population is 179,898. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Aurora is 35.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Aurora is $93,633. This is 12% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. The median home value is $274,800. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Aurora is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Aurora is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (41.6% vs 18.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.2% vs 5.9%).
Education
38.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Aurora, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Aurora, Illinois?
Aurora, Illinois has a population of 179,898 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Aurora, IL?
The median household income in Aurora is $93,633, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Aurora, IL?
The poverty rate in Aurora is 9.5%. This means approximately 16,975 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Aurora, Illinois?
Aurora's population is 32.2% White, 10.7% Black, 41.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Aurora, IL?
The median home value in Aurora is $274,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Aurora, Illinois?
38.5% of adults (25+) in Aurora hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.