Aurora, Minnesota

Aurora, Minnesota
—  City  —
Photo: Erlend Bjørtvedt
Motto: "Star Of The North"
Location of Aurora in Saint Louis County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 47°32′N 92°14′W
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Saint Louis
Area
• Total	3.86 sq mi (10.00 km2)
• Land	3.74 sq mi (9.69 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2)
Elevation	1,470 ft (448 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,682
• Estimate (2012)	1,671
• Density	449.7/sq mi (173.6/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	55705
Area code(s)	218
FIPS code	27-02872
GNIS feature ID	0660700
Website	www.ci.aurora.mn.us

Aurora is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,682 at the 2010 census.

Saint Louis County Highways 100 and 110; and State Highway 135 (MN 135) are three of the main routes in Aurora.

History

The area was settled during a period dating back as early as 1892, primarily by Finnish immigrant families, some of whom were still arriving in the area just before the outbreak of the first World War.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.86 square miles (10.00 km²), of which, 3.74 square miles (9.69 km²) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km²) is water. It is surrounded by mixed coniferous/deciduous forest and is near many lakes.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	1,919		—
1920	2,809		46.4%
1930	1,463		−47.9%
1940	1,528		4.4%
1950	1,371		−10.3%
1960	2,799		104.2%
1970	2,531		−9.6%
1980	2,670		5.5%
1990	1,965		−26.4%
2000	1,850		−5.9%
2010	1,682		−9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,682 people, 777 households, and 438 families residing in the city. The population density was 449.7 inhabitants per square mile (173.6 /km²). There were 887 housing units at an average density of 237.2 per square mile (91.6 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 777 households of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.70.

The median age in the city was 48.4 years. 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,850 people, 812 households, and 495 families residing in the city. The population density was 487.4 people per square mile (188.0/km²). There were 893 housing units at an average density of 235.3 per square mile (90.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.38% White, 0.05% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population. 17.4% were of Finnish, 13.2% German, 10.5% Norwegian, 9.1% Slovene, 7.3% Swedish, 6.6% Italian and 5.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 812 households out of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,094, and the median income for a family was $43,095. Males had a median income of $41,413 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,442. About 8.5% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Aurora is located on the Mesabi Range of northeastern Minnesota. Formerly this area produced a large quantity of the nation's iron and taconite ore, but recently they have been depleted or become too expensive to mine. Recently a Blue Cross Blue Shield call center and a Family Dollar store have been built in Aurora, and it is hoped that more jobs will come to the area.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

The Northern Lights Music Festival is presented each and year and includes music concerts.

Parks and recreation

Aurora is located on the edge of the Superior National Forest, and is located two miles (3 km) from Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort. Popular recreational activities of the residents of Aurora and nearby area include hunting, fishing, boating, four-wheeling, skiing, and snowboarding. There are many ATV and snowmobile trails on the outskirts of Aurora, and many of these go far, some all the way to Lake Superior.

Aurora Post Office.

Infrastructure

Transportation

State Highway 135 (MN 135), County Highway 100, and County Highway 110 are three of the main routes in Aurora.

Notable people

Frozen Food Magnate Jeno Paulucci was born in Aurora in 1918. Jeno Paulucci is famous for inventing the brands Chun King, Jeno's Pizza, Jeno's Pizza Rolls, Michelina's, Bundino's and many others.

Olympic curler Jeff Isaacson is from Aurora.

Actress Francine York was born in Aurora to Sophie and Frank Yerich and grew up to move to Hollywood California to star in countless movies such as The Doll Squad, Lost in Space and many films.

External links

• City of Aurora, MN – Official Website
• Aurora Chamber of Commerce
• ePodunk: Profile for Aurora, Minnesota
• City-Data.com