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Aurora's Population Reaches 199,326, Establishing 2023 Economic Baseline
The March 2023 overview from JobsEQ supplies concrete figures that help track how Aurora reached its current economic footing.
How we reported this
Aurora city counted 199,326 residents in the American Community Survey numbers covering 2016 through 2020, a total that anchors any later discussion of jobs and income here.
That population count matters now because residents and city leaders still reference these 2023 figures when they weigh new hiring, housing costs and training needs against the backdrop of national shifts. The data arrived after years of steady growth in a city whose median age sits at 34.4, younger than both Illinois and the country overall.
Local employers draw from a civilian labor force of 108,450 people, with a participation rate of 72.2 percent. More than four in ten residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, and the share of foreign-born residents stands at 25.6 percent. These traits shape the mix of skills available for manufacturing, logistics and service roles that have long defined work in Aurora.
Income and Housing Figures Provide Context
Median household income reached $74,659 while the median value of owner-occupied homes came in at $194,100. Among adults aged 25 to 64, 34.0 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The same age group shows 19.5 percent without a high school diploma, a share higher than state and national averages. These numbers trace back to earlier patterns of immigration and schooling that continue to influence hiring today.
Owner-occupied housing units carry a vacancy rate of 0.9 percent, while rental vacancy sits at 4.8 percent. Roughly 34.9 percent of occupied units are rentals. The share of households without a vehicle is 4.3 percent, lower than broader Illinois and U.S. rates. Poverty affects 10.6 percent of people, and 14.8 percent of households receive food stamps or SNAP benefits.
Next Steps for Tracking Local Trends
City planners and workforce groups can compare these 2023 markers against newer counts when they update training programs or review housing needs. Residents who want the most current picture should check the latest releases from JobsEQ or the American Community Survey as new five-year estimates appear. That ongoing comparison keeps the 2023 baseline useful rather than static.