everything you need to know about Aurora, il
Everything You Need to Know About Aurora, IL | Constellation Home Sales | Freedom Group Global
180,700+Population
4 CountiesKane, DuPage, Will & Kendall
1834Founded
60505 / 60506Zip Codes
40 miTo Downtown Chicago

The Story

About Aurora

Before European settlers arrived, a Native American village stood where downtown Aurora is today. The McCarty brothers settled the area in 1834, and the community incorporated as a village in 1845 and as a city in 1857. What began within Kane County has since grown to span four counties — Kane, DuPage, Will, and Kendall — making Aurora the second-largest city in Illinois, behind only Chicago, with a population above 180,000.

Aurora earned its lasting nickname, "City of Lights," after becoming one of the first American cities to install an all-electric street lighting system in 1881, a distinction formally adopted as the city's motto in 1908. Its historic downtown, centered on Stolp Island in the Fox River, includes the largest collection of commercial buildings by Prairie School architect George Grant Elmslie anywhere, along with more than 50 Sears Catalog Homes and seven Lustron all-steel homes throughout the city.

Real Estate

The Aurora Housing Market

Aurora's housing market offers remarkable diversity, from historic Victorian homes on the near east side to new construction in the far west of the city. With four counties and four school districts within its borders, Aurora's size means options at virtually every price point — and it also means comps need to stay tightly local, since a home's value can shift significantly from one side of the city to the other.

Home values shift block by block. The team builds every comparative market analysis using a verified methodology — a 1-mile radius, comparable square footage within 20%, matching bed and bath count, and similar age, garage, and basement — so Aurora buyers and sellers get a number they can trust, not a computer-generated estimate. Call or text 630-912-9129 for current, verified Aurora market data.

Market Data

Current Aurora Market Data

Education

Schools in Aurora

Aurora's size and four-county footprint mean the city is served by several large districts, so the exact district depends on the specific neighborhood.

  • East Aurora Public School District 131 — considered Illinois' first public school district, chartered in 1847, home to East Aurora High School (the Tomcats).
  • West Aurora Public School District 129 — established in 1868, home to West Aurora High School (the Blackhawks).
  • Indian Prairie School District 204 — serves the far east side and Fox Valley area (also covering parts of Naperville, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield), home to Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley High Schools.
  • A small portion of southeastern Aurora falls within Oswego Community Unit School District 308.
  • Higher education options include Waubonsee Community College's downtown Aurora campus and Aurora University.

Outdoors

Parks & Recreation

Aurora maintains more than 90 parks throughout the city.

  • Phillips Park — home to the city's Sunken Garden and the Phillips Park Zoo.
  • RiverEdge Park — an outdoor concert venue along the Fox River in downtown Aurora.
  • The Fox River Trail, running through the city along the riverfront.

Around Town

Things to Do, Dining & Shopping

Downtown Aurora's redevelopment over the past two decades has centered on a handful of historic landmarks.

  • The Paramount Theatre — a restored 1931 Art Deco landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, now the highest-grossing non-New York City subscription theater in the country, with a year-round Broadway series.
  • Hollywood Casino Aurora, which opened downtown in 1993 and helped spark the area's first major redevelopment in nearly twenty years.
  • The Leland Tower, a former hotel and National Register site that was once the tallest building in Illinois outside Chicago's city limits.

Getting Around

Location & Commute

Aurora sits about 40 miles west of downtown Chicago, with highway access via I-88, Route 30, Route 34, and Route 59. Metra's BNSF Line provides direct rail service into Chicago Union Station.

Local Expertise

Buying or Selling in Aurora?

Steve Roake & Kimberly Genovese work with buyers and sellers throughout Aurora and the Fox Valley, applying the team's verified comp methodology to one of the most architecturally and economically diverse cities in Illinois.

  • 615+Transactions Closed
  • $113M+Sales Volume
  • 101%*List-to-Sale Ratio
  • 2003Licensed Since

*Based on the last 47 sold listings, averaging 101% of list price at 24.85 days on market — well ahead of the broader MLS average of 97.7% at 56 days. Sellers who followed the team's recommended starting price saw even stronger results: 103.7% of list at just 13 days to contract, compared to 101.6% at 28 days for the 12 who listed above it. (Figures as of Aug 2026.)

Call or Text the Team: 630-912-9129

FAQ

Aurora Real Estate: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aurora, IL a good place to buy a home?
Aurora offers remarkable housing diversity across price points, from historic homes on the near east side to newer construction in the far west, backed by a strong economy and easy Chicago access via I-88 and Metra.
What school district serves Aurora, IL?
Aurora is served by four school districts depending on the neighborhood: East Aurora Public School District 131, West Aurora Public School District 129, Indian Prairie School District 204 in the far east, and a small portion of Oswego Community Unit School District 308 in the southeast.
How far is Aurora from downtown Chicago?
Aurora is approximately 40 miles west of downtown Chicago, with highway access via I-88, Route 30, Route 34, and Route 59, and Metra's BNSF Line providing direct rail service into the city.
What is Aurora, IL known for?
Aurora is known as the "City of Lights" for installing one of the first all-electric street lighting systems in the country in 1881, the restored Paramount Theatre, Hollywood Casino, and its historic Stolp Island downtown.
Who should I contact to buy or sell a home in Aurora, IL?
Steve Roake & Kimberly Genovese of Constellation Home Sales | Freedom Group Global serve the Fox Valley and the Chicago western suburbs. Call or text 630-912-9129 for a verified market analysis.