Aurora is more than just a Chicago suburb. With over 180,000 residents, it’s the second most populous city in Illinois. "It's commonly known as a very large city — not on the global map, but definitely on the regional map for the state," says Ryan Carney, a top-ranking Realtor with Keller Williams Inspire. It’s a city with historical import – a bustling hub for railroad transportation for nearly a century, it still sees traffic today. Aurora also earned its nickname, as the "City of Lights," for being one of the first cities in the U.S. to implement all-electric street lighting. "It's probably one of the oldest towns in Illinois in terms of development," says Carney.
Cutting through the center of Aurora, the Fox River is a focal point for culture and recreation. Stolp Island sits in the middle of the river and is the site of major attractions like the Hollywood Casino, and the historic architecture of both the Leland Tower and the Paramount Theater. The river also divides the east and west sides of Aurora, with the east typically being viewed as more economically disadvantaged. The Illinois State Board of Education Report Card for 2022 to 2023 indicates that 70% of students in one east Aurora district are low-income versus 46% on the west side.
The local Hollywood Casino is a draw for tourism, but it’s also one of the top employers in the city, providing over 1,000 jobs. The medical field also has a strong presence here, with Rush Copley and Amita Health Mercy medical centers being two of the largest employers in the city. These are also the two 24-hour emergency rooms in the city. At the same time, Aurora is also on the edge of the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor — with Cabot Microelectronics, CMC Materials and tmax — all key employers.
Aurora has over 180,000 residents, making it the second most populous city in Illinois.
Stolp Island is the site of major attractions like the Leland Tower.
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Victorians, Sears Catalog homes
The history of Aurora influences the housing – some homes even date back to the heyday of the railroads, originally built and occupied by workers and management. "I love some of the architecture; there are a lot of these older, beautiful Victorian homes," Carney says. "You just notice them when you drive down the side streets. There are traditional modern homes all over the place, too, but there are blocks and blocks of them from the late 1800s and early 1900s."
Also notable are Sears Catalog mail-order homes; Aurora has one of the most extensive collections of these vintage houses nationwide. In conjunction with the charming older homes, Carney describes the real estate stock as pretty diverse, including properties accessible to first-time homebuyers. Tightly packed older homes closer to the river give way to planned developments on the fringes of the city. The average home sale price of $348,000 is fairly close to the median of $320,000, demonstrating diversity across price points. While this is still above the state median of $236,000 in August of 2024, it was below the median for the Chicago metropolitan area and the United States overall, at $349,000 and $385,000, respectively. Homes here move quickly, selling after only 17 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44 days.
Victorian style home with colorful facade and entrance porch located in downtown Aurora.
Two toned home with a newly installed garage door stands out in the neighborhood of Aurora.
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RiverEdge festivals, forest preserves
Community parks in Aurora include 325-acre Phillips Park, a multifaceted destination with a zoo, aquatic center, golf course, dog park and sunken garden. A boat dock, trail and facilities for volleyball and BMX/skateboarding round out the amenities. Solifsburg Park is a favorite with baseball leagues, and RiverEdge Park is particularly popular for outdoor festivals from June through September. It regularly hosts the annual two-day Blues on the Fox Festival, which has been going strong since 1996. The festival celebrates the Chicago Blues sound, including the Bluebird sound that was born from the musicians who played the Sky Club at the Leland Hotel.
For outdoor exploration, there's room to roam at Aurora West Forest Preserve, Oakhurst Forest Preserve and Big Woods Forest Preserve. Oakhurst features a boat launch and catch-and-release fishing. The 62-mile-long Illinois Prairie Path spans three counties and two segments — the Aurora Branch and the Batavia Spur — land in Aurora, providing options for hiking and mountain biking, as well as equestrian trails. In addition to the public course at Phillips Park, private golf courses include the Aurora Country Club, the Orchard Valley Golf Course and Stonebridge Country Club.
Oakhurst Forest Preserve is a prime location for outdoor activities in Aurora.
Residents of Southeast Aurora enjoy the splash pad at the Phillips Park Aquatic Center.
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Hollywood Casino, other venues
"There definitely is an entertainment aspect to the downtown, especially with the casino," Carney says. Hollywood Casino Aurora is a riverboat venue with 53,000 square feet of gaming space. "Some people love it, some people hate it. You'll get left and right perspectives on the casino being right downtown." Those who would prefer a different location are in luck. In 2023, ground broke at a new location off Interstate 88, across from the Chicago Premium Outlets mall, and it's expected that the new casino will take two years to complete. According to the Chicago Tribune, a change in state-law permitting land-based casinos led to the development plans, which include upgraded amenities, bars, restaurants, a spa and an event center.
Besides the casino, Carney says that when people think about Aurora, the Paramount and The Venue come to mind. Built in 1931, the Paramount Theatre hosts big-name performances, like their Broadway Series musicals, as well as plays and other art forms. As for the destination called "The Venue," it's a spot for live music, with a flex-space listening room, including an outdoor patio stage. "There are garage doors on the side of the building that open up," Carney says. He was one of many who volunteered during The Venue's creation. "This revitalization project was a community effort. It's a fascinating venue, it's unique."
In addition to music, other forms of art fill Aurora's downtown. The First Fridays series draws residents downtown to enjoy art galleries, performances and locally-owned businesses.
Ivy Ford delivers an amazing performance at The Venue in Downtown Aurora.
Artist Raul Rodea discusses his exhibit at the Artesan Gallery during Aurora's 1st Friday event.
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Learning in EASD, IPSD and WASD
With the most centrally located schools, East Aurora School District 131, graded C-minus by Niche, has over 20 schools, including Benavides STEAM Academy and Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy. Farther to the east, Indian Prairie School District 204 has 31 schools in Naperville and Aurora. IPSD is graded A-plus and listed as the No. 3 district in DuPage County. West Aurora School District 129, graded B, is listed as No. 6 among Kane County school districts and includes 15 grade-level schools and a center for career development.
Aurora University, just 2 miles from downtown, is another highlight of the city. "It's an extremely prestigious university," Carney says. AU offers over 60 undergraduate programs and has 24 NCAA Division III teams. Other nearby institutions of higher learning include the College of DuPage Naperville Center and Waubonsee Community College.
Benavides STEAM Academy is a part of East Aurora School District 131.
Metea Valley High School is a top-rated, public school in IPSD 204.
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Downtown boutiques vs. Chicago Premium Outlets
Downtown delights with a hip vibe and specialty shops such as Wyckwood House boutique and cocktail bar, Nide Jardin for house plants and self-care products and Undisputed Vintage and Warehouse 55 for second-hand treasures. There are shops selling tea, bicycles, crystals, furniture, footwear, and jewelry. Two Brothers Roundhouse is an outpost of Two Brothers Brewing, located in the historic Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop – the heart of the railroad’s maintenance division for a century; it’s the oldest limestone roundhouse in the county.
Grocers in Aurora include Woodman's Food Market, Jewel-Osco, Save A Lot, Aldi and Cermak Fresh. On the east side of town, there's a wide selection of Latino markets. The Chicago Premium Outlets is home to over 170 retail stores, including Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.
The Wyckwood House, a boutique in Downtown Aurora, has a cocktail bar for patrons to enjoy.
Aurora residents can find over 170 stores and shops at the Chicago Premium Outlets.
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Aurora Metra Station, Pace buses
On North Broadway, Aurora Transportation Center provides access to the Pace bus's fixed routes such as 524 West Aurora, 533 Northeast Aurora and 530 West Galena-Naperville. Residents can also catch Metra trains here, too, with Aurora Station as the western terminus of the BNSF line, 25 stops from Union Station. This commuter rail service dates back to 1864 and is the oldest surviving regular passenger service in Chicago today. Aurora was once known for its electric streetcars. These days, trolleys operate downtown for First Fridays and during the holiday season, stopping at the Christkindlmarket and "Holidays Around the World" storefronts.
For those driving, North Broadway, or State Route 25, runs north to south on the east side of the river. State Route 31, or North Lake Street, runs north to south on the west side. Interstate 88, the Reagan Memorial Tollway, cuts through north Aurora and U.S. Routes 30 and 34 are also easily accessible. The Aurora Municipal Airport accommodates corporate, military and personal aircraft, but residents would go to O'Hare International Airport or Midway International Airport, both about 40 miles away, for regular passenger flights.
Violent crime down, progressive PD
In 2010, the city reported that crime had fallen 67% over a 20-year period. In 2023, the Chicago Tribune reported a significant decrease in violent crime, with aggravated assault and battery, for example, down from 513 incidents to 236 from 2021 to 2022. During that same time, thefts were down by 19.7%, while burglaries increased by 14.9%, according to the Aurora Police Department’s 2023 annual report.
The Aurora Police Department, or APD, refers to itself "one of the most progressive police departments in the state" and provides staff with extensive training, including a focus on de-escalation. APD has implemented a Community Oriented Policing Unit, a Crisis Intervention Team and initiated a ShotSpotter technology to hasten response time for shooting incidents.
I'm an very experienced real estate agent with 45 + years of loyal service to my clients, friends and family. I have been with RE/MAX since 1987 member of their 100% club & Hall of Fame. I focus on the Fox Valley Area of Northern Illinois and the nearby communities, providing home-buyers and sellers, Investors with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services. I manage over 120 rental units for my investor clients. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells? Give me a call! I'm eager to help and would love to talk to you When I'm not working (those who know me that I am always working) you can come ride a bike with me, and explore the great bike trails along the fox river
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
