Aurora, Ohio

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Aurora, Ohio
Location in Ohio
Location in Ohio
Location within Portage County.
Location within Portage County.
Coordinates: 41°19′9″N 81°21′21″W / 41.31917, -81.35583
Country United States
State Ohio
County Portage
Founded 1799
Government
 - Mayor Lynn E. McGill
Area
 - Total 24.1 sq mi (62.4 km²)
 - Land 23.2 sq mi (60.1 km²)
 - Water 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Elevation 1,132 ft (345 m)
Population (2005)[1]
 - Total 14,353
 - Density 583.8/sq mi (225.4/km²)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 44202
Area code(s) 330, 234
FIPS code 39-03086[2]
GNIS feature ID 1064359[3]
Website: http://www.auroraoh.com/

Aurora is a city located in Portage County, Ohio, United States. It is co-extant with, and formed from, the former township of Aurora, which was formed from the Connecticut Western Reserve. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,556. In 2006, population was estimated at 14,402.

Aurora was designated a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Aurora is located at 41°19′9″N, 81°21′21″W (41.319254, -81.355859)[4]. It borders or touches the following other townships and municipalities:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.1 square miles (62.4 km²), of which, 23.2 square miles (60.1 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it is water. The total area is 3.61% water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there are a 13,370 people, 5,047 households, and 3,901 families residing in the city. The population density is 583.8 people per square mile (225.4/km²). There are 5,361 housing units at an average density of 230.9/sq mi (89.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 95.67% White, 2.16% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,047 households out of which 35.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% are married couples living together, 6.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% are non-families. 19.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.02.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $70,998, and the median income for a family is $78,876. Males have a median income of $61,298 versus $35,655 for females. The per capita income for the city is $35,537. 3.6% of the population and 2.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] Historic population figures

  • 1940 — 518
  • 1950 — 571
  • 1960 — 4,049
  • 1970 — 6,549
  • 1980 — 8,177
  • 1990 — 9,192
  • 2000 — 13,556
  • 2003 — 14,270 (U.S. Census Estimate)
  • 2004 — 14,357 (U.S. Census Estimate)
  • 2005 — 14,353 (U.S. Census Estimate)

[edit] Culture, recreation and sports

Various amusement parks and other recreational facilities have operated on the site of Giles Pond, known presently as Geauga Lake, continuously since before 1887[5]. The Big Dipper roller coaster operated for 82 years at the site.[6]

Aurora historically was the second location for the SeaWorld chain of marine mammal parks, which opened in 1970 and operated near Geauga Lake on the northern edge of the city. In 2001, the park was purchased by Six Flags, along with adjacent Geauga Lake, and combined to form Six Flags Ohio. Cedar Fair purchased the combined property in 2004, and most of the former SeaWorld park was closed.[7] Cedar Fair now operates the property as a waterpark, Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom.[8]

Aurora Farms Premium Outlets were opened in the early 1970's[9] to serve tourists to the Aurora area. The Aurora Farms are operated today by Chelsea Premium Outlets (a subsidiary of the Simon Property Group), and are home to 70 outlet stores.[10]

[edit] Notable Residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://factfinder.census.gov United States Census Bureau. American FactFinder. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  2. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Six Flags History. Aurora Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  6. ^ Geauga Lake is no more. Theme Park Insider. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  7. ^ Sea World of Ohio. Ohio History Central. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  8. ^ General Information- Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom. Cedar Fair. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  9. ^ Aurora Highland Farms. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  10. ^ Aurora Farms website, accessed 2008-02-23

[edit] External links