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Aurora's Median Household Income Hits $90,419, Surpassing State and National Averages
The level tops both Illinois and U.S. averages after years of job expansion across multiple sectors.
How we reported this
Aurora median household income stands at approximately $90,419, marking 5.29 percent annual growth and placing the city above the Illinois average of $82,179 and the U.S. average of $78,145.
The current figure reflects steady expansion that followed the addition of more than 2,000 jobs between 2017 and 2022. Average annual wages in the city rose to $64,388 during the same span, a 17.3 percent increase that helped lift household earnings.
Path to Current Levels
Manufacturing has long anchored the local economy, while retail trade expanded 62 percent from 2017 to 2022. Healthcare and technology sectors added further positions, broadening the base of employment beyond traditional industries. Unemployment sits at 6.0 percent, just above the Illinois mark of 5.8 percent and the U.S. mark of 5.2 percent.
Tourism contributed $268 million to the economy in 2022. The sector supported 3,000 hospitality jobs and produced $13 million in local tax revenue, adding another layer of stability for workers and city services. Residents with higher household income levels often gain greater capacity to cover housing costs, education expenses and everyday purchases within the community. Wage growth at the reported pace directly affects take home pay for those employed in the expanding sectors, allowing families to manage expenses with more room than in lower average areas.
Job gains across manufacturing, retail, healthcare and technology spread opportunities to different skill sets and education backgrounds. The retail expansion in particular brought new store and service roles that complement longstanding factory work. Tourism spending flows into hospitality positions that employ local workers year round and feeds tax collections used for municipal operations. This mix of sectors creates varied entry points for people entering or advancing in the workforce.
City leaders continue to track wage trends and sector performance to guide workforce programs. Residents can follow updates on job openings in manufacturing, retail, healthcare and technology through local economic development channels.