Denver suburb developed into Colorado’s most diverse city
Aurora has expanded over the years—to the east and north—to accommodate its rising diverse population of around 400,000. A mix of historic sites, and plenty of creative and commercial spaces, with a lot of culture, is why it is the third most populated city in Colorado. “We have the most diversity in Colorado. We speak over 150 languages and have over 350 international eateries,” says Alexis Watts, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Visit Aurora. “It’s a place that feels at home not just for one or two but for hundreds and thousands.” A mix of historic sites, creative spaces and contemporary commercial offerings attracts more residents to the city each year.
The city was originally founded as Fletcher in 1891 and was only 4 square miles of prairie land east of Denver. In 1907, the city became Aurora and expanded, especially after World War II, when it flourished as a military community. Lowry Air Force Base was stationed just west of the area, and Fitzsimons Army Hospital and Buckley Air Base were erected in the city’s center. In 1999, Fitzsimons Army Hospital became the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, today a prominent Aurora employer. Buckley Air Base was renamed Buckley Space Force Base in 2021, another employer. Aurora is home to numerous businesses in healthcare, transportation and logistics, renewable energy and defense and aerospace. Other prominent employers in the area include Lockheed Martin Corporation, Marriott International, Children's Hospital Colorado, Kaiser Permanente and Northrop Grumman, among others.
Sunny Vale is made up of single story ranch style traditional homes.
Kirkegaard Acres is convenient for travelers as it's 10 miles from Denver International Airport.
Many Morris Heights residents work at the nearby Anschutz Medical Campus.
A big attraction for Sunny Vale is the easy access to the enormous Lowry Sports Complex just to the west.
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Abundance of architectural styles, averaging below metro pricing
The Metro Denver’s average single-family home sales price was around $720,000 in 2024, compared to almost $525,000 in Aurora. Townhouses in Aurora held a median price of $390,000, just under the Denver average of $410,000. Modern condos and apartments sit near the City Center neighborhood, with prices starting at $100,000. At the same time, a few gated communities can be found closer to Cherry Creek State Park, with listings over $1.5 million. Single-family architecture varies from mid-century modern and ranch-style homes to contemporary Craftsman estates and new traditionals, in neighborhoods on Aurora’s south side. Many of the city’s older neighborhoods do not have homeowners associations, however, some subdivisions built after 2000, such as Tallyn's Reach , are often governed by metro districts, which organize municipal and utility services.
As the city expands east into the plains, developers focus more on planned communities, such as the 4,000-acre Aurora Highlands , which has yet to share an expected completion date for its subdivision with 21 miles of trails and 32 parks.
A craftsman home built on a corner lot featuring amazing brick work in Tallyn's Reach.
Residents will find many two story and ranch homes in Shenandoah.
This split-level home in Meadowood features a two car garage and a fenced back yard.
Liv City Center Condominiums in City Center are perfect who prefer less maintenance.
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Public schools, top-rated school district and medical scholars
Aurora Public Schools serves most of the community, across 58 schools, which earns a C-plus overall grade from Niche. According to Aurora Public Schools, about 77% of the student body are native Spanish-speaking and, for 42% of them, English is their second language.
The Cherry Creek School District has 67 schools and covers the city's neighborhoods to the south while earning an overall A grade from Niche, which also ranks it as the best school district in the Denver area. The district offers college and career programs, many of which are offered out of the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus in the nearby city of Centennial. Career pathway programs focus on manufacturing, hospitality, engineering and transportation. Aspiring medical professionals can also study at the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Arkansas Elementary School in Aurora is rated a C-plus and has smaller class sizes average.
C-rated Mrachek Middle School in Aurora welcomes students from sixth through eighth grade.
Gateway High School in Aurora has a strong performing arts program.
Aurora Academy Charter School is a local K-8 option.
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A creative community with a growing culinary culture
The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum sits at the forefront of the historic Hangar 2, a vibrant shopping and dining district popular for its local establishments. Stanley Marketplace in North Aurora has a similar industrial vibe with many boutiques and trendy restaurants, such as Annette, which was founded by Caroline Glover, Aurora’s first James Beard Award-winning chef. “I love that I can go to a new restaurant every day and try something new from a different country or learn something about the business owners. They’re so passionate and welcoming,” Watts says. Havana Street, Southlands Mall and the Town Center at Aurora are all lined with big box stores, major retailers and restaurant chains. As Aurora continues to expand, the city plans to focus on attracting local businesses and restaurants, as it has in the On Havana Street district, to smaller shopping areas like Hangar 2.
Aurora is home to several historic and fine arts venues, including the Aurora Fox Arts Center, an Art Moderne cinema from the 1940s. The city restored the building to its original elegance following a fire in the early 1980s, and it now hosts numerous shows throughout the year, under its refurbished and iconic neon sign and marquee. The theater is located within the Aurora Cultural Arts District on East Colfax Avenue, which is peppered with sculptures installed as part of the Art in Public Places Program.
The residents of Tallyn's Reach can head to the Southlands for an afternoon of shopping.
Town Center at Aurora has an expansive food court for City Center residents than need a bite
Located east of Denver, Lowry sits in the footprint of what was the Lowry Air Force Base.
The Stanley Marketplace is a community of over fifty businesses, making it a North Aurora.
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Beaches in a landlocked state and sports complexes
Aurora tends to experience over 300 days of sunshine each year to go along with a mild and dry climate. During the winter, the city averages around 60 inches of snow, with averages increasing with proximity to the Rocky Mountains and skiing communities such as Loveland, about 60 miles west.
The city has more than 100 parks, two reservoirs and five golf courses. Local athletic leagues compete at both the Lowry Sports Complex and the Aurora Sports Park. Many of the city’s parks host events throughout the year, including the Park Lights & Movie Nights film series and the annual Fourth of July Spectacular, which is held at Bicentennial Park. Aurora Reservoir has an archery range and is popular in the summer, specifically for Memorial Day weekend. Quincy Reservoir, at the center of Prides Crossing , spans over 160 acres. Cherry Creek State Park is 4,200 acres wide and provides access to the 42-mile Cherry Creek Regional Trail.
Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora offers a wide variety of water and land activities.
Aurora Reservoir is a destination for the local paddle-boarders.
Aurora Sports Park has 23 full-sized soccer fields and 12 baseball/softball fields.
The Cherry Creek Regional Trail is a destination for bicyclists, runners, and dog walkers.
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Navigating Aurora via light rail, bus and interstate
Interstates 70 and 225, the E-470 toll road and Colfax Avenue are all within a few miles of central Aurora neighborhoods, connecting commuters to major employers in Aurora’s City Center, across the Denver metro, including the Denver Tech Center, the Central Business District and Commerce City. Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides bus services and a light rail throughout Aurora, connecting the city with Lower Downtown in Denver, about 14 miles west, and the Denver International Airport, nearly 17 miles north, for flights to one of over 200 nonstop domestic and international locations.
Crime
Reports of Aurora’s crime incidents, along with the state, have risen. According to the Aurora Police Department, between 2019 and 2023, violent crime reports increased by 28.6% while property crime was up 33.4%. According to FBI data, the city has property and violent crime rates higher than the national average.
Aurora Police Department has noted plans to implement a community academy whereby residents can learn how to access police resources. Additional resources have been devoted to establishing partnerships in the community with schools. The APD's community relations department practices transparency and coordinates within the community where staff hold monthly meetings to go along with a published report to provide crime updates and safety resources.
Realtors Anne Schuller and Tammy Fabregas of the FAB Living Team have over 17 years of combined experience in real estate. Their partnership allows them to enhance their combined knowledge and expertise, creating a more comprehensive service for their clients.
The FAB Living Team, which eXp Realty broke down, utilizes and benefits from extensive resources that enable them to elevate their service offerings. They take exceptional care of each person they serve, ensuring their clients feel valued and supported every step of the way.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
