Aurora
cityAurora, Colorado, is a principal city within the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Metropolitan Statistical Area and stands as the third most populous city in the state. Located primarily in Arapahoe County, with portions extending into Adams and Douglas counties, Aurora sits just east of Denver, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The city has a diverse population of over 400,000 residents. Aurora's economy is dynamic, with key industries including aerospace and defense, healthcare, bioscience, transportation, and logistics. Major employers include Buckley Space Force Base, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and Children's Hospital Colorado. The city is a hub for innovation and employment, attracting businesses large and small. Aurora's history is one of transformation, from its origins as the town of Fletcher in the 1890s to its growth as a major suburban center. The city offers a high quality of life with over 100 parks, reservoirs, open spaces, and trails, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Aurora is also known for its diverse cultural scene and is recognized as an All-America City.
Aurora, Colorado
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 0804000
- Country
- United States
- County
- Arapahoe
- Region
- Denver Metropolitan Area
- Elevation
- 5,471 ft
- Total Area
- 165 sq mi
- Latitude
- 39.7294
- Longitude
- -104.8319
- Climate
- Arid climate with over 300 days of sunshine, cool mornings and evenings, and distinct seasons.
- Notable Features
- Rocky Mountains Foothills · Aurora Reservoir · Cherry Creek State Park
- Neighboring Areas
- Denver · Centennial · Commerce City
- Population (2020)
- 386,261
- Est. Population (2025)
- 414,283
- Median Age
- 35.3
- Median Income
- $88,368
- Poverty Rate
- 11.9%
- Family Households
- 64.6%
- Owner-Occupied
- 62.4%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- Diverse population with a significant percentage of Hispanic or Latino residents. The city has a minority-majority demographic, including Latino, African American, Asian, and foreign-born residents.
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- Aurora Public Schools, Cherry Creek School District, Douglas County School District, Bennett Public Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire Rescue · Public Works · Parks, Recreation & Open Space · Library
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.7%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Commercial · Aerospace · Bioscience · Transportation · Logistics Hub
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade · Construction · Aerospace and Defense · Renewable Energy
- Major Employers
- Buckley Space Force Base · University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus · Children's Hospital Colorado
- Schools
- 58
- Students
- 53,000
- School Districts
- Aurora Public Schools · Cherry Creek School District · Douglas County School District · Bennett Public Schools
- Colleges & Universities
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Colorado State University Global · Community College of Aurora
- Transportation
- I-25 · I-70 · I-225 · E-470 · Light Rail · Commuter Rail · Denver International Airport (nearby)
- Utilities
- Xcel Energy (electricity and gas) · City of Aurora Water (Colorado, Arkansas, and South Platte River basins) · Broadband (Comcast, Lumen Technologies)
- Major Facilities
- UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital · Children's Hospital Colorado · Denver International Airport (nearby)
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Cherry Creek State Park · Aurora Reservoir · Quincy Reservoir
- Parks & Trails
- Over 100 parks · 5,000 acres of open space and trails
- Founded
- 1891
- Incorporated
- 1903
- Named After
- Aurora, one of the subdivisions composing the town, which means "dawn" in Latin
- Historical Significance
- From a small farming town, Aurora transformed into a major suburban city and a diverse economic hub in Colorado.
- Key Events
- Founded as the town of Fletcher · Renamed Aurora in 1907 · Military presence (Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Buckley Air Force Base) · Rapid growth after World War II